AOIFE (Association of Festival and Events) are hosting a new look training day to engage with community not for profit festivals and event organisers across the mid west .

Festivals and Community event organisers from organisations such as Doolin Folk Festival,Roscommon Drama Festival, the Tullamore Show, Joe Mooney Summer School, Sandsculpture Festival ,Castlebar Choral Festival , Clifden Arts Festival and have all been invited with their counterparts from neighbouring and adjoining counties to Ballinasloe for the 29th of February. 

The programme is also suitable for community groups or sporting groups who wish to launch or promote a new festival or community event for their area. 

AOIFE’s Executive Director Colm Croffy, with 25 years sector experience and delivers training and mentoring programmes in Ireland, Europe and overseas is the key facilitator to the day which begins at 10.30 and continues to 5.30 pm in the Enterprise and Technology Centre Ballinasloe.

The Multimedia assistant will also be holding 15 minute one to ones on all the “How To’s” about social media for those who struggle a bit with the challenges of Social Media on line,  

Having delivered some 130 odd pop up advice clinics this year already along the wild Atlantic Way the Seminar will draw upon some exciting and innovative ways typical Festival and Event Organisers with extremely limited resources are programming and producing their programmes. 

Founded in 1993- the Association of Irish Festivals and Events Association is the fourth largest in Europe (with over 200 members) and through training networking and advocating best practice helps “not for profit festivals” reach and expand their local and international goals.

“ We have seen down through the seasons, the huge benefits of a small number of dedicated and passionate producers and organisers of these events coming together to events such as these and learning from each other as much as the course facilitator – which benefits their programmes, the audiences and ultimately their sustainability and viability “ states Executive Director Colm Croffy . 

The Seminar Day will deal with, but not exclusively :

Current Event and Festival Trends in the Sector, Common pitfalls and how to rectify them, How to find your audience and then to target them, Checklist for running an event, Finding money for production costs, artists and expenses, Marketing and PR for an event, Finding and keeping volunteers, European Networking Opportunities, Press and Marketing

Participants MUST register with the AOIFE Secretariat in advance. The Seminar Day is free to AOIFE members whilst non-members must pay a small fee of €100 which can go towards purchasing a full annual AOIFE membership.

To register for the Seminar Day please contact the office on (090) 964 5831 or email info@aoifeonline.com

Enterprise & Tech Centre , Creagh Ballinasloe , Co. Galway Sat 29 th Feb 10.30am – 5.30 pm
10.30am Tea / Coffee Introductions
10.45am Some Current Event and Festival Trends of the Sector & Our Audience
11.15 am 10 Common Pitfalls and some Remedies
11.45 am Defining and Finding Where and Who Your Local Audience is
12.15 pm The A to Z of an Event Planner – the checklist for seamlessly producing
your event
1.00 pm Money, Money – finding revenues for your artistes, production costs and
expenses
1.35 pm Light Lunch
2.15 pm Design – Flyers – Posters – what works , what does not
2.45 pm Marketing & PR for Your Festival / Event
3.30 pm From little Acorns to Scary Oaks – profiles in successful Community based events Nationwide
4.15 pm A Friends Scheme Tailored for Your Community
4.45 pm Finding , Keeping Volunteer

5.15pm Wrap up & Final Questions and Answers

From 11.00am till close, our Multi Media Assistant will be providing one to one 15 minute “How To” Lessons on how you can use Social Media, Facebook, Blog, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Mobile Phone etc to suit your personal requirements and comfort level.