AOIFE - the Association of Irish Festival Events - is an all-island voluntary network organisation that brings together organisers of festivals and events in Ireland, suppliers to the festival and event sector and policy-makers and funders

• to act as a forum for the sharing of ideas and
• to resolve common areas of concern and seeks to influence government policies in relation to the sector.

Founded in March 1993, today there are over 400 festivals and events and in excess of 100 corporate, associate and individual members. Member Festivals range from prestigious international events to a host of smaller town and village festivals throughout the island of Ireland.

AOIFE operates a central office (Ballinasloe, Co. Galway) with a part-time Administrator, supplemented by third level students and international interns on work placement programmes, together with a range of consultants specialising in the operations, information technology, risk assessment, legal and communications fields.

 

AOIFE Services

The AOIFE Public Liability Insurance Scheme is a package of insurance policies designed specifically for festivals and events. For the majority of AOIFE members, the scheme offers substantial savings on premiums. (For more information, access the Members' section of this website).

AOIFE provides selected attractions on a commercial basis to festivals and events and full details may be obtained by emailing info@aoifeonline.

The AOIFE Yearbook is recognised as the essential reference book for festival and event organisers in Ireland. Designed to prove mutually beneficial to both organisers and those involved in the service, supply and entertainment industries, the yearbook contains listings of acts, agencies, street entertainers, marquee and PA suppliers, comprehensive details of all AOIFE member festivals and events together with a useful reference section with tips on many issues.

AOIFE organises an annual conference with a programme that includes presentations, seminars and workshops on a variety of relevant topics including funding, marketing, insurance, health and safety and sponsorship.

A key feature of Conference is the attendance of speakers from European and North American festivals and events to share experiences.

Conference takes place annually in November.

Conference 2007 will be held in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway from 8th - 10th November.

Download AOIFE Conference 2007 available soon.

'Festive Expo' a valuable trade show event, is incorporated into Conference each year. Another feature of Conference is 'Showcasing' a feature designed to provide a platform for new emerging entertainment acts to reach the people in Irish festivals who make the decisions on what entertainment to feature.

AOIFE publishes Shenanigans – a 20-page full colour tabloid - four times annually which provides information on the festival industry and is a forum for idea-sharing. (download past issues in PDF format from the Archive section of this website).

You can download the latest edition of Shenanigans HERE [pdf 11MB].

AOIFE also operates a help desk for members where specific enquiries are dealt with on festival or event matters within 48 hours. Other services include regular networking and training seminars, the production of a range of guidelines and codes of practice which endeavour to ensure the application of ‘best practice’ by festivals and events in Ireland.

AOIFE circulates an electronic fortnightly eBulletin to update Members on topical issues and to allow Members to network acts, facilities and services.

AOIFE also has a very detailed Resource Library of Festival Management Guides which can be issued to Members.

AOIFE is recognised by Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and by both Arts Councils as the voice of Festivals & Events in Ireland. AOIFE has established strong links with a large number of arts, music, tourism and community development organisations at home and abroad including IFEA and IFEA Europe, the Association of Festival Organisers (AFO), the British Arts Festivals Association (BAFA), Festivals of Wales and other European festival organisations.