Bergen Festival and Event Management Masterclass

Join us in Bergen for the renowned Festival and Event Management Masterclass, an internationally acclaimed workshop that has been delivered in 27 countries and brings together festival and event professionals from across the cultural and creative sectors.

Designed for organisers, producers, marketers, venue managers, and cultural leaders, this highly respected programme offers practical insights, innovative ideas, and proven strategies to help create outstanding festivals and events.

Participants consistently rate the Masterclass highly for its expert industry knowledge, creative inspiration, and collaborative learning environment. More than 4,000 professionals worldwide have attended the programme, including over 270 participants at our workshops in Norway.

We welcome delegates from a wide range of organisations and sectors. Below is just a small selection of the organisations that have participated in previous Masterclasses:

Music Festivals: Nattjazz, Olavsfest, Vinjerock, Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival,  Nordlysfestivalen, Savonlinna Opera Festival, Dublin City Soul Festival

Film Festivals and organizations: Tromsø Internasjonale Filmfestival, Ramaskrik Filmfestival,  Banff Mountain Film Festival, Film Stockholm, Rotterdam International Film Festival, Film Training Manitoba

Tourism and Placemaking: Destinasjon Halden, Visit Lillehammer, Tourism Calgary, Estonian Tourist Board, Events Tasmania, Göteborg & Co

Municipalities: Bergen kommune, Tysvær kommune,  Stavanger kommune, City of Edmonton, Stad Brugge, Belfast City Council, Adelaide Hills Council

Dance and Theatre Festivals:  CODA Oslo International Dance Festival, Nationaltheatret , kulturfestivalen Peer Gynt , Bard on the Beach, Oulu Dance Centre

Book Festivals: Oslo Litteraturhuset, Quebec Writers Federation, Sask Book Awards, Dubai, Emirates Festival of Literature

Family Events: Horsens Children’s Theatre Festival, BUFF Malmö Film Festival, Surrey International Children’s Festival

Food and Drink Events: Bergen Matfestival, Vancouver International Wine Festival, Taste of Antwerp, Bendigo Food Truck Festival, Taste of Tasmania

Museums and Galleries: Museum Vest, Østfoldmuseene, Estonian National Museum, Art Gallery of Burlington, South Australian Museum, Utrechts Museumkwartier

Venues and Cultural centres: Olavshallen, Brygga Kultursal, Stavanger konserthus, Banff Centre, Harbourfront Centre Toronto, Jersey Arts Centre, Venues Canberra

Other participants:  Nordiske Mediedager, Bergen Nasjonale Opera,  Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Norges Musikkorps Forbund, Copenhagan Photography Festival, Stockholm Pride, Dutch Design Week, Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026, Arts Council Malta

A full list of participating organisations is available at:www.festivalmanagers.com

What You’ll Gain

• Expert insight from internationally respected festival and event specialists
• Practical strategies to strengthen and grow your events
• New ideas and inspiration to innovate and adapt
• Valuable networking opportunities with industry peers

Secure Your Place

• 3,300 kr – Early booking (before 1 September)
• 4,200 kr – Standard booking (after 1 September)
• 2,500 kr per person – When more than one person attends from the same organisation

Payment can be made by card, or an invoice can be issued for payment via bank transfer or cheque. Morning and afternoon tea and coffee plus lunch are included in the price.

Day 1 Programme

Developing Great Festivals and Events

Explore successful festivals, events, and cultural destinations from around the world. This session examines creative programming, operational approaches, audience engagement, and the future role of emerging technologies, including AI.

People and Partnerships

Learn how successful festivals build strong teams, develop effective leadership, and create meaningful partnerships with stakeholders, sponsors, and collaborators.

Programming

Discover innovative programming strategies that strengthen audience engagement, enhance identity, and create memorable event experiences.

Sponsorship and Fundraising

Gain practical guidance on securing sponsorship, building long-term partnerships, and developing sustainable income streams.

Festivals, Tourism and Placemaking

Examine how festivals and events contribute to destination branding, tourism development, and community identity.

Day 2 Programme

Festival Marketing

Explore effective marketing strategies used by leading festivals, including branding, digital communication, audience development, and promotional campaigns that drive attendance and engagement.

Venues and Festival Infrastructure

Learn how to maximise venue potential, improve operational infrastructure, and deliver safe, sustainable, high-quality events.

Working with the Media

Understand how to build strong media relationships, increase visibility, and manage communications effectively.

Impact and Evaluation

Discover practical tools for measuring economic, social, and cultural impact while strengthening long-term event success.

Cancellation Policy

• 10 days or more before the course start date: Full refund
• 2–9 days before the course start date: 50% refund
• Less than 2 days before the course start date: 25% refund

 Additional Information

Language:
The Masterclass is delivered in English

Feedback

You`re sharing so much practical knowledge and brilliant examples, I got one a-ha moment after another. LOTS of useful ideas (and energy!) to bring back home. Hilmarfestivalen

Amazing ideas to not only reinvent my events, but also reinvent our town. Rural City of Wangaratta

I had the most wonderful experience. It’s great to go to a course that gives you tangible and useful information that you can go away and implement yourself. I highly recommend this Masterclass! Feast Festival

The masterclass on festivals gave food for thought, presented in an inspiring and refreshing way.  CODA Oslo International Dance Festival

I left the masterclass with my head full of ideas and new energy and A Great sense of believing in festivals as the best method to bring People and art/culture together. Billund Kommune

The course was a vitamin injection in how to manage a festival and also how to evolve it. In short: The ultimate Crash Course in festival management! City of Sodertalje

There is much more feedback from past participants on our website www.festivalmanagers.com