A new one-day conference and trade show to bring together festival organisers, suppliers and partners from the East of England has been announced. The East Anglian Festival Network (EAFN) Show 2018 is free to attend for local festival organisers, event managers and operation/logistics managers working in the event sector.

The event has been setup by Neon street, based in Bury St Edmunds, and Gigs Out in Sudbury, both of which have worked for over a decade in the event market and want to connect event organisers in the area to local suppliers.

Phil Pethybridge from Neon Street said: “Many events will use businesses they have used for years, yet it may not be the best price, service or flexibility. Sourcing locally can have financial, environmental and logistical benefits. The aim of the EAFN event is to connect the two, build relationships and support the local economy”

“We know of instances where events have sourced scaffolding from Glasgow for events in the East of England yet they could get the same price and service from a local business, reduce the environmental impact and put that money into the local economy.”

The keynote speaker for EAN 2018 is Fred Fellowes, Founder of the Secret Garden Party and inaugural winner of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) Pioneer award. The Sustainability session features Nic Fosdike, Managing Director of Gofer Ltd one of the leading companies for temporary power solutions in the UK who are also sponsoring EAFN.

Stephanie Quilliam from Serendipity Street Catering will also be speaking about local sourcing and sustainable catering.

The event is being held on October 16, 9.30am – 4pm at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds.