he Association of Independent Festivals is a non-profit trade association created to represent UK independent music festivals. The aim is to help the businesses of our individual members, and help the needs of the independent festival sector.
Brain child of Rob da Bank (Bestival) and Ben Turner (Graphite Media), AIF operates as an autonomous division of AIM (Association of Independent Music) with its own board and structure. It is chaired by AIM Chairman Alison Wenham, joining some of the UK’s strongest and most creative music festivals as founder members. Claire O’Neill of agreenerfestival.com is appointed as GM. Combined attendance of AIF members’ events is in excess of 300,000 people.
AIF is set up to promote the UK’s independently spirited festivals, encouraging efficient management of events, and therefore a better experience for audiences. By sharing knowledge about theft and crime for example, AIF can help to create a safer and more enjoyable festival experience. Through advice, joint purchasing and pooling of resources AIF can assist festivals in cost savings from staging and lighting to security and infrastructure. Networking and seminar events are open to, members, friends and industry.
The collective voice of the AIF membership provides lobbying power where necessary for all legislative, commercial and industry issues as they relate to live events.
The organisation also operates a ‘Friends of AIF’ scheme, in similar style to Friends of AIM, opening the door to companies ranging from merchandisers to toilet providers who wish to communicate directly with owners. AIF provides a “one stop shop” to this highly creative and attractive part of the industry.
