Previously known by two separate entities, International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON) and International Film Festival Summit (IFFS), XLIVE will host 140+ guest speakers, 80+ exhibitors and 40+ interactive sessions for participants to transform their perspective and understanding about the latest approaches to elevate event production and attendee experience to new, unprecedented heights.
Uniting some brilliant minds under one roof, the 13th annual conference will bring the dynamic festival community together to share in a creative and collaborative space where attendees can explore the latest trends and share ideas within the rapid evolution of the large scale gathering phenomenon. Featured speakers at this year’s conference include: Billboard and Hollywood Reporter President John Amato, Eventbrite Co-Founder & CEO Julia Hartz, The Recording Academy Executive Director Theresa Jenkins Red Frog Events Co-CEO Ryan Kunkel, Founders Entertainment Co-Founder & Partner Jordan Wolowitz, Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Managing Director John Trumble, AEG/Goldenvoice VP of Global Partnerships Caroline Frye Burruss, Soundslinger/Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival Founder/Chief Creative Officer Paul Peck, Charleston Wine + Food Executive Director Gillian Zettler, Creative Artists Agency Head - CAA Culinary Andrew Chason,AEG Senior Vice President Global Partnerships Mark Faber, Newport Folk & Newport Jazz Festivals Executive Producer Jay Sweet, Live Nation VP Strategic Initiatives Tobias Ekman, C3 Presents President - Shaky Festivals Tim Sweetwood, AC Entertainment Forecastle Founder & Captain JK McKnight, ESL/Turtle Entertainment America CEO Craig Levine, Twitch VP & eSports Evangelist Andy Swanson, Airbnb Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy Chip Conley and The Confluence Founder Russell Ward plus a collective of many other industry leaders.
2016 participants of XLIVE can look forward to an abundance of interactive spaces in the Exhibit Hall, ripe with opportunities for networking, education, and inspiration. Boasting over 100 of the most innovative companies within the live event industry, attendees will find themselves face-to-face with game changers that are providing festival organizers with the latest tools and services to take their operations, marketing, and fan engagement strategies to the next level. Also found in the Exhibit Hall will be the Innovation/Startup Showcase,giving emerging companies a forum to demo the next generation of event solutions and technology. Tech enthusiasts will revel at the newly-designed Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Lab, where curious cohorts may experience the latest in VR/AR technology and witness firsthand how these tools can transform future productions.
Following a jaunt throughout the Exhibition Hall, attendees can stop and recharge at Refreshment Row, a comfortable setting to enjoy a beverage while they continue to take in the experience. Sync up playlists and share favorite music with longtime and new friends in the Live Lounge area - a perfect opportunity to network in a relaxed environment complete with charging stations for laptops and mobile devices.
Encompassing a wealth of industries, XLIVE also fosters the growth of budding entrepreneurs and seasoned industry pros alike. For the first time, XLIVE will be accepting applications for up-and-coming festival organizers for the Young Festival Entrepreneur Mentorship Program aimed at grooming future festival leaders. Conversely, CEOs, Presidents, Producers and Founders can sit in at this year’s CEO Roundtable - an exclusive group of festival leaders discussing major industry trends, meeting with like-minded contemporaries, and discovering what leaders and their teams are doing to create extraordinary experiences for fans and artists that bring festivals to life.
Ahead of XLIVE 2016, fans can look forward to attending the XLIVE 2016 reception being held in New York City (September 13th), to get a taste of what’s to come at XLIVE 2016 and 2017.
