The seventh annual FestForums conference kicked off on February 12th at the historic Miramonte Hotel in Santa Barbara. The location offered a stunning backdrop overlooking East Beach and the Santa Barbara pier. The festival began in 2015 and was conceived by longtime resident Laurie Kirby, a former entertainment lawyer. After a few years off during the pandemic, the festival has become an annual Santa Barbara event.
Since its groundbreaking inception, FestForums has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a festival and live event conference can achieve. As the premier gathering for industry leaders, this B2B conference has become a powerful platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth across North America. FestForums has established itself as a benchmark for conferences within the festival and live event industry. Its dedication to fostering a community of innovators, thinkers, and doers has created a unique environment where professionals can share knowledge, best practices, and insights. This collaborative atmosphere has led to the development of cutting-edge solutions, the formation of new partnerships, and the shaping of the festival industry’s future. This 2025 festival brought 570 attendees, 64 speakers, and 24 exhibitors for the three-day event.
This year’s event at the Miramonte featured a relaxing layout conducive to networking. Two conference rooms at opposite ends of the hotel, each featuring its own mini trade show, allowed simultaneous events during the three-day festival. The theme for the 2025 event, foreshadowed by the nearby fire disaster in Southern California, was one of inspiration, unity, and support.
The first day opened with an inspirational talk by former world champion surfer and nearby resident Shaun Tomson. Among his many talents, Tomson is a well-established motivational speaker and writer. Tomson’s enthusiasm for FestForums was palpable as he shared his thoughts on the event’s significance. “It’s incredible to be here. In today’s world, we face numerous challenges, and it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity. However, festivals like this one remind us of the importance of coming together as a community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among people.” Tomson’s talk at FestForums focused on the concept of purpose, infused with the unique spirit of Santa Barbara. “I’m excited to share my insights on this topic, drawing from my experiences and observations. I believe that by spreading the message of hope and purpose, we can create a positive wave that resonates worldwide, inspiring people to make a meaningful impact.”
Tomson took a moment to share a poignant personal story: “One of the most significant days of my life was spending time with my late son, Mathew, at the beach when he was just 10. That day, surrounded by the beauty of nature, we connected on a deeper level, and it’s a memory I’ll always treasure.” He talked about how his son had picked up on the spirit of Hammonds Meadow, a sacred spot for the original Indigenous Chumash inhabitants of the area. Mathew wanted to share their storytelling techniques with his father, which left an indelible mark on them.
Tomson’s story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of human connections and the impact that festivals like FestForums have on people’s lives. By sharing his experiences and perspectives, Tomson aims to inspire others to find purpose and meaning in their own lives, creating a ripple effect of positivity that continues to spread far and wide.
FestForums runs concurrently with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which brings some of the biggest names in the movie industry to town for the 10-day event. In his closing comments, Shaun invited FestForums attendees to a free “Bustin Down The Doors” screening at the Arlington Theater. The film tells the story of Shaun and several other world champion surfers who helped establish professional surfing 50 years ago. Several of the former champions were scheduled to appear for a post-film discussion.
The conference then kicked straight into high gear with a panel discussion on the state of the industry. The mission statement was to bring together a panel of industry leaders from diverse festivals to share their knowledge of advances in marketing, technology, and programming trends. The illustrious panel included John Lollo, the New York City Wine and Food Festival’s festival director, and Michael Barclay II, the executive vice president of the highly successful Essence festival. In addition to Barclay, another member of the Essence team, Lamonia Deanne Brown, the director of the Essence Film Festival, shared her expertise. Finally, Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, added to the discussion. The MWF produces Summerfest, the biggest music festival in the country, which began in 1968.
The most international speakers appeared next for a discussion dubbed Learning From Festivals Around The World. That panel featured Hamish Pinkham, the co-founder of Rhythm and Vines, New Zealand’s most renowned music festival. English promoter John Giddings was on the panel to bring his expertise, having resurrected the historic Isle of Wight festival in 2002. CEO of The Fair, Nick Morgan, shared his 25 years of experience in event production. The International Liaison and Hospitality Coordinator for Nigeria’s preeminent African music festival, Fly Time, shared the challenges of producing a festival on a budget with rising costs. John Boyl, who led the conversation, was most recently the Global Chief Officer of ASM Global, the world’s largest venue management company. Finally, the festival director of the highly successful Southern California Beachlife Festival rounded out the panel.
Later in the day, a vigorous panel discussion was entitled Tune Into Technology. A large panel of a wide variety of festival technology experts participated. The main music festival participants included Justin Bankston, the chief technology officer at the massive SXSW music festival, which takes place annually all across the city of Austin. Lise Brende, the executive vice president of intelligence at Danny Wimmer Presents, was also on hand to explain how to use the latest technology in booking bands. DWP is the largest producer of heavy metal festivals across the country.
The conference ended with another motivational speech by acclaimed actor Matthew Modine. The actor shared his inspirations for his many award-winning performances over the decades. Much like Shaun Tomson’s opening remarks, Modine found inspiration early on in Native American culture. He shared a story of seeing the film Little Big Man in his youth. In the movie, Chief Dan George plays a character who explains to Dustin Hoffman that Indigenous people are human beings who believe everything is alive. Modine relayed that he tried to take that philosophy with him throughout his life. Everyone should be treated with respect as a human being. From the lowest production assistant to a film director, he tried to maintain that philosophy and share it with the audience.
The festival turned into party mode in the evening at the downtown nightclub Back Stage. The festivities included an open bar for festival attendees. Sugarland Distillery from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, provided some of its signature cocktail drinks as well as shots of its 102-proof Roaming Max whiskey.
A concert followed, consisting of three up-and-coming young new performers, sponsored by Voracious Records. Singer McKenna Elliot opened the show with a short set of tunes accompanied by an acoustic guitarist. Elliot, who bounces between her studies in Boston and her hometown of Santa Barbara, is the youngest of the Voracious Records roster. Her debut self-titled EP is set to release in Spring 2025.
Another local talent, Nicole Sophia, played the next set with a full band of rockers. The beaming young singer performed a joyful, energetic set of original music. The night ended with a highly spirited set by Joveth, a singer from the Philippines with a commanding stage presence.
As the festival industry continues to evolve, FestForums remains at the forefront, showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and best practices. Its commitment to education, community, and collaboration has earned it a reputation as industry professionals’ go-to conference. With its rich history, diverse community, and commitment to innovation, FestForums is poised to shape the future of the festival industry. As a trusted platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and growth, FestForums continues to inspire and empower festival organizers, producers, and industry leaders across North America.
