Banff Festival and Event Management Masterclass

Join us in Banff for the Festival and Event Management Masterclass

We’re delighted to be bringing the Festival and Event Management Masterclass to Banff for the first time.

One of the leading festival and event management workshops, the Masterclass is designed for organisers, producers, marketers, venue managers and cultural leaders. The programme combines practical industry experience with fresh ideas and proven strategies to help participants develop and deliver outstanding festivals and events.

Participants consistently value the Masterclass for its practical approach, expert industry knowledge, creative inspiration and collaborative learning environment. More than 4,000 professionals from 27 countries have now taken part.

A strong track record in Alberta

Although this is our first Masterclass in Banff, we have been delivering workshops across Alberta for many years. To date, 280 delegates from a wide range of organisations across the province have taken part.

They include organisations working across festivals, tourism, the arts, heritage, cultural venues and local government, including:

Heritage Park, City of St. Albert, Tourism Calgary, Town of Okotoks, City of Calgary Festivals and Events, Boréal FM, Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, Airdrie Festival of Lights, Edmonton Fringe, Winspear Centre, Calgary Philharmonic, PACE (Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton), Banff Centre, Calgary Foundation, Calgary Stampede, Calgary High Performance Rodeo, Banff Lake Louise, Justice Film Festival, Lit Fest Alberta, Calgary Jazz Festival, City of Red Deer, Tourism Medicine Hat and many more.

We’re looking forward to bringing the Masterclass to Banff and welcoming festival and event professionals from across the region.

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

• $450 – Early booking (before 2 October)
• $495– Standard booking (after 2 October)
• $375 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.

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.

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

   The Presenter

Paul Gudgin has worked in the festival industry for over 30 years on major events including the Aldeburgh Festival, City of London Festival, and Durham International Brass Festival. He spent eight highly successful years as Director of the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe during a dynamic period which saw the event double in size. Recognised as a leading expert in festival and event management, Paul received the Arts and Business Scotland Award for Leadership and an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh. He has delivered training for organisations worldwide, including the British Council, Events Tasmania and the National Arts Council of Korea. Paul created the Festival and Event Management Masterclass to pass on the benefit of his considerable festival and event experience.

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 course was well planned and insightful. Paul has loads of experience, is confident in himself, yet informal and easy to talk with, and great at involving the participants. I would recommend the course both for learning and motivational purposes.  Nordland Music Festival

The breadth of the course content was astounding, and sprinkled with creative brainstorming sessions that had me coming away with tons of great ideas to apply to our Festival. Saskatoon Festival of Trees

More feedback from past participants can be found in the feedback section of this site.

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