Some things we learnt for a Bristol festival

• The city doesn’t have a large convention centre like Austin. Instead we should use the harboursude as a Festival campus, making use of venues in close proximity and outside areas.
• Programme lots of parties (rather than just one a night)
• Awards make people turn up
• Vary the size and format of the sessions,but make clear whether you are attending a keynote or an open space
• Provide, free strong wireless and plenty of places to power up and surf
• Do away with heavy brochures - put the whole festival online and provide pocket-sized day guides
• Mix up the genres and the audiences - provide combined ticket passes and streams
• Involve the locals - use them to recomend great local hotels, restaurants etc
• It is okay to have registration away from the main venues
• Use the Festival to promote Bristol’s USPs