Coffs Harbour’s exclusive festival industry event has been recognised on a national scale Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News Festivals Highlight Section by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 2, 2020 Australian Festival Industry Conference founder Carlina Ericson is ‘thrilled’ the event has been recognised on the national scale. THE COVID pandemic may have hit the festival industry hard but Carlina Ericson is determined to help the industry rebuild and safeguard for the future. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The former Woolgoolga High School student founded the Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) in 2019 and despite the 2020 event being on hold because of COVID – the event has just been announced as a National Finalist for ‘Best Achievement in Event Education or Training’ in the 2020 Australian Event Awards. The award category recognises the use of event education or training to benefit the wider events industry. “I am absolutely overjoyed to learn that AFIC has been selected as National Finalist – it’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by your peers from across the country,” Ms Ericson said. “I set out to create an event that appealed to a niche market and it definitely paid off.” The AFIC, Australia’s only conference for festival management personnel, was held at Opal Cove in Coffs Harbour and brought together more than 100 industry delegates from almost every State and Territory and included all tiers of Government, private festival organisers, consultancy services, educational institutions, suppliers, and more. “Work on the 2021 event has commenced, along with a number of interim projects that will provide direct benefit to the industry,” she said. “When we return for the next conference there will be a number of discussions needing to take place that will be crucial to the industry getting back on its feet. “A key positive out of the Covid-19 crisis is that everyone understands now more than ever the importance of working collectively to safeguard the future of industry – it all starts with coming together for a simple conversation” “I look forward to seeing the end result of the judging process and wish all of the other entrants, especially those that represent quality festivals, the best of luck,” Ms Ericson said. Award winners will be announced across 19-21 October, 2020 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide. By Kue HALL
