It Makes Me Wonder Why…
Not often, but sometimes when I approach a crafter, artisan or artist at a festival to take a photo or to talk to them about their creations, I get turned down. (Read More)

Vendors Talk…
A few weeks ago Judi and I had dinner with friends of ours. They were in town (Cobourg) to attend the Cobourg Highland Games as vendors. (Read More)

Road Blocks to Success...
This past weekend I was at a festival helping my sister-in-law set up her art booth. During the set up I talked to an artist acquaintance who I knew participated in a number of shows throughout the year.(Read More)

Pricing Your Event…
Judi and I have been debating lately about the pros and cons of festival and event pricing. There are two thoughts. The first is to include all activities in the admission price, while the other is to price activities separately. (Read More)

Government Funding ...
Ever wonder why some festivals or events are awarded government funding, while others are not! Last week Judi and I visited a festival in eastern Ontario and this topic was discussed. Many festival organizers, who have not received funding, may feel that it is not about what you have but who you know in the government.(Read More)

Go Green...
I’ve talked about it before, but I believe that “Going Green” is not only the right thing to do, but it is also the smart thing to do! Jana Campbell owner of LunchWithoutWaste.com and a leader in “Going Green Products”, tells us in her recent “Practical Tips on how to have a Litter-less Lunch” article (Link: http://www.lunchwithoutwaste.com/LitterlessLunches), pointed out the trend that “more and more people are becoming conscious about how their everyday habits impact the future of the Earth”. (Read More)

There Is No Free Lunch…
Whoever coined the phrase “there is no FREE lunch” (or should I say “no FREE promotion”), must never have worked on a festival or event committee! Getting FREE publicity or promotion is fairly easy. Getting a lot of the “right” kind of FREE publicity is an art! (Read More)

Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) Achievement Awards
Okay, okay, I know it’s a bit early! The FEO Achievement Awards submissions aren’t due until early next year! However, I feel it’s never too early to think about them. As a matter of fact, call me crazy, but I think the award submission process should be started the day you begin planning for your next event! Let me explain. (Read More)

The Way of the Future…
I, and others, have spoken about it before, but I believe that it needs to be re-mentioned! With the economy as low as it is, more families will be staying close to home this summer. That being said, festivals and events will have to become more “kid and family friendly”.(Read More)

Crossing the Line...
At what point do festival or event organizers “cross the line” putting profits (dollars) ahead of value for their attendees? I believe that some organizers eventually loose sight of the things that made their event successful. Most festivals and events in the beginning try to offer more to encourage people to visit their event, but what happens when the event becomes really successful over an extended period? (Read More)

Communities in Peril…
We all know that the economy in North America and, for that matter the world, is in deep recession. As a result this has created great turmoil within communities! Businesses have closed their doors. 1000’s of people have been laid off or worse, lost their jobs. (Read More)