Some of the Australian music industry's leading figures and festival promoters have joined forces to launch a new and groundbreaking partnership aiming to deliver safe and well-run events - the Australian Festival Association (AFA).
The five founding board members of the association include Jessica Ducrou (Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Download) Matthew Lazarus-Hall (CMC Rocks QLD), Rod Little (Groovin The Moo, The Plot), Adelle Robinson (Listen Out, Listen In, Field Day, Harbourlife, Curve Ball) and Danny Rogers (Laneway Festival).
"The AFA was formed to represent the common interests and aspirations of the Australian festival industry," a statement issued by the AFA reads.
"The AFA is committed to helping members deliver safe and well-run festivals around Australia, and establishing world leading operating standards for our industry.
"We are establishing this industry group so that our members can develop informed and unified strategies in response to a range of issues, including event liquor licensing, drug policy, harm minimisation practise, building code compliance, green initiatives, user pays policing, event medical guidelines, and third party ticket sites.
"Our aims are to make festivals safer for patrons, and reduce friction between festival promoters and regulatory bodies, by aligning evidence based practices and decades of combined industry experience with the requirements of government policy. We are also committed to ensuring the ongoing viability of festivals as thriving businesses, significant municipal events and sites of global cultural exchange in the interest of all Australian citizens."
AFA membership options are now open for festivals which have operated for three years or more, are ticketed and licensed to sell alcohol and have a capacity of 2,000 or more.
Industry memberships are also open for festival professionals such as site and production managers and bar operators. For more information about the AFA, check out the official website.
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