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Working for and with festivals and events, supporting live arts

AFO: Working for and with festivals and events, supporting live arts

The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) is a membership group of like-minded festival and event managers who believe in learning and teaching, sharing and networking to continuously improve the festival scene. Created in 1987 with a small gathering of people working in the community festival business, AFO now has over 250 members who exchange ideas and support one another to help develop our sector.

Are you a festival or event organiser, supplier, freelancer or student? If you have anything to do with festivals or events, yes anything, you should join AFO.

The AFO Office is open year round to offer you help and support.  Contact us today!

Testimonials

  • Sandra Surtees, Director Shrewsbury Folk Festival

    "AFO membership is particularly good value and even more important these days. Covid-19 has nearly decimated our industry and the AFO is working tirelessly to help in every way it can...I very much appreciate all the work going on behind the scenes to help us come through the other side and thrive. Thanks a million."

  • Rowan Riley, Oundle International Festival

    "What a great bunch you are providing amazing resources and support, especially during these potentially devastating times."

  • John Wirtz, Sore Fingers Summer School

    "I really believe the AFO have played a big part in raising the standards of the UK outdoor festival scene."

  • Helen Smedley, FlameFest

    "Thank you so much for last week's session. I found it extremely helpful and have already started using some of the resources you introduced me to."

  • Geoff, Festival Vision

    "The AFO have played a major role in helping start our fledging business and since then the sessions, conferences and contacts are an integral part of our marketing strategy."

  • Eddie Barcan, Splendid Events

    "Since the start of the pandemic, the AFO have played a crucial role, tirelessly advocating for our industry to government and funding bodies, with proven results."

  • Alan Castle, Tenterden Folk Festival

    "Many thanks to AFO for their tireless work lobbying the Government and supporting all our festivals especially over the last 12 months."

Recently Updated AFO Member Listings

 
Africa Oyé

Africa Oyé is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture, taking place annually in Liverpool. ...
 
Underneath the Stars

Underneath the Stars Festival is a family-friendly music weekend held at Cinderhill Farm near Barnsley. Grab you pass for 3 days of music, arts and fun!...
 
Beardy Folk Festival

Beardy Folk Festival is a beautifully crafted, Midsummer music weekend set in a walled garden...
 
South Tyneside Festival

To enrich the Borough by providing an events programme which caters for the needs of the local community, appeals to visitors and contributes to the local economy and supports employment in culture and tourism businesses....

Latest News From AFO

Umbrella live music organisation LIVE launches

Umbrella live music organisation LIVE launches

Live music industry umbrella group LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which has been involved in initiatives including the #LetTheMusicPlay and #KeepVATat5 campaigns, has formally launched. Declaring it...

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UK Music tells AFO Conference government-backed insurance scheme is critical

UK Music tells AFO Conference government-backed insurance scheme is critical

Speaking at the Association of Organisers Conference on Saturday, 20 February, UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin outlined how festivals can play key role in the post-pandemic economic and cultural recovery but the ...

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PM Gives The Tinest Glimmer

PM Gives The Tinest Glimmer

On 22 February, the Prime Minister set out his road map for ending the lockdown. Of course, he didn’t say that festivals and big events could start again, but there was the tiniest glimmer of hope in his statement. ...

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Industry reacts to Government’s events reopening timeline

Industry reacts to Government’s events reopening timeline

Following the prime minister’s announcement in the House of Commons today, 22 February, that major live events will not be able to return until 17 May, and it will be at least 21 June before full capacity shows can resu...

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WeMakeEvents campaign: The Government can’t see us, can you?

WeMakeEvents campaign: The Government can’t see us, can you?

Launch: 18th February Crux of the campaign: As you will be well aware, the live events industry has been hit incredibly hard by COVID and the associated lockdown and social distancing measures. As representatives of in...

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Sea shanty sensation Nathan Evans signs with United Talent Agents

Sea shanty sensation Nathan Evans signs with United Talent Agents

UTA has signed Nathan Evans, the Scottish singer who found fame on TikTok for his rendition of the whaling ballad ‘Soon May the Wellerman Come’, for worldwide representation. Evans, a former postman who is cred...

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