When festivals become an integral part of holiday planning, they generate a strong boost for regional economies.
This panel explores the intersection of tourism and festival attendance – for example, a two-week summer vacation in the sun combined with a music festival.
What effects does this have on local businesses, accommodations, gastronomy, and transport providers? How do service providers from across Europe contribute to the efficient implementation of temporary festival infrastructure – from travel to accommodation? And how can organizers bring festival formats to new regions and inspire their loyal communities to follow?
Moderation: Mia Heresch
Speaker:
Oszkó-Jakab Natália (Valley of Arts Festival, Hungary)
Benjamin Besselsen (Liffin)
Greta Hoffmann (ICS / Wacken)
Festivals act as cultural anchors, economic drivers, and social gathering spaces – but rising costs are putting increasing pressure on their financial sustainability. While EU programs like Creative Europe promote cultural funding across Europe, national initiatives like Initiative Musik (Germany) provide targeted support.
What structures are needed to develop long-term, forward-thinking funding models for festivals?
This panel explores the key factors that contribute to successful festival funding, the strategic planning and political decisions required, and how decision-makers can be urged to secure festivals as an essential part of cultural heritage.
Moderation: Pamela Owusu Brenyah (Musicboard Berlin)
Speaker:
John Rostron (Association of Independent Festivals)
Anna van Nunen (ESNS)
Tatjana Kaube (Initiative Musik gGmbH)
Making a festival internationally known means establishing it as a brand that develops appeal beyond national borders.
But how do you build an identity that inspires fans worldwide?
Wacken Open Air and Sziget have succeeded in doing so, not only through their line-ups but also through targeted partnerships, media collaborations, and a clear profile that has been consolidated over many years. Nevertheless, booking also plays a central role: targeted artist selection and marketing strategies can open up new markets and increase international ticket sales.
Moderation: Katrin Fuhrmann (DJ Mag)
Speaker*innen:
Tomas Loeffen (Sziget Festival)
Salman U Syed (Wacken Open Air, Bangalore Open Air)
Stephan Witzovsky (3000Grad Festival)
Ein Festival international bekannt zu machen bedeutet, es als Marke zu etablieren, die über Landesgrenzen hinweg Strahlkraft entwickelt.
Doch wie baut man eine Identität auf, die Fans weltweit begeistert? Wacken Open Air oder Sziget haben es geschafft, nicht nur durch ihre Line-ups, sondern durch gezielte Partnerschaften, Medienkooperationen und ein klares Profil, das sich über Jahre hinweg gefestigt hat.
Dennoch spielt auch das Booking eine zentrale Rolle: Durch gezielte Künstlerauswahl und Marketingstrategien lassen sich neue Märkte erschließen und internationale Ticketverkäufe steigern.
Moderation: Katrin Fuhrmann (DJ Mag)
Speaker*innen:
Tomasz Loeffen (Sziget Festival)
Salman U Syed (Wacken Open Air, Bangalore Open Air)
Stephan Witzovsky (3000Grad Festival)
Kaum ist das Festival vorbei, beginnt das Rennen um Reichweite. Aftermovies, Bilder und Clips müssen möglichst schnell online – denn wer zuerst postet, gewinnt die Aufmerksamkeit.
Doch wie gelingt es, zehntausende Besucher:innen digital mitzunehmen, während der Staub noch liegt?
Wie arbeiten Videoteams, Fotograf:innen und Social-Media-Crews zusammen, um in Echtzeit Content zu liefern?
Moderation: Martin Juhls
Speaker*innen:
Videograph Mario Dorsch (Nure)
Isabel Schwartz (splash! Festival / Goodlive Festival GmbH)
Fotografin Paula Tauber