Inspiring Conversations with Laurie Kirby of FestForums

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Kirby. 

Hi Laurie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent most of my earlier life living in Newport, RI, raising a family and being a (boring) lawyer although I started the Senior LPGA and was General Counsel to the RI Audubon Society. However, my heart was always in the entertainment business. Newport has a legendary music festival, but I was instrumental in developing and then running the new film festival. Seeking warmer weather (and with 3 grown and launched children), I made my way to California whereupon I ran festivals in Ojai, LA, Philly, NY, and Barbados. Happily, I was able to start a conference for festival producers, and the rest is, as they say, history. FestForums brings together 100s of festival directors and vendors from LA, NY. Austin, Nashville, and more. Festivals have included Coachella, SXSW, Sundance, Burning Man, Lollapalooza, Life is Beautiful, Bonnaroo, Global Citizen, Woodstock, Glastonbury, EDC, Essence Fest, Toronto Film Festival, South Beach Food & Wine, Harlem Eatup, Governors Ball, and hundreds more. 

Speakers and honorees have included Jeff Bridges, Taj Mahal, T Bone Burnett, Dave Mason, Michael McDonald, Bruce Dern, Harry Shearer, Kenny Loggins, Alice Cooper, Jack Johnson, Rita Coolidge, Canned Heat, Dennis Quaid, Chuck Leavell, Quentin Tarantino, The Coen Brothers, Jon Anderson, Ray Parker Junior, Frances Fisher and many more. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life is a smooth road if you are not cruising on the highway. There were successes in building a business exclusively devoted to festivals in the US, but many failures as well. Timing, credibility, and persistence are your friend but they cannot be easily harnessed. Patience, transparency, and a focus on the mission is the only way to break through to people. The challenges have felt overwhelming at times and too numerous to mention, but a belief in people and purpose has kept me going. 

We’ve been impressed with FestForums, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The FestForums.com conference on Feb 1-2 is in Santa Barbara at the beautiful Music Academy of the West and features 100’s of festivals in one place. We have panels, parties, live music, keynotes, and an exhibit hall full of festival providers. 

FestForums.com, was described by Forbes magazine as “the Conference for the Power Players in the Festival Game,” and returns in 2023 after a three-year COVID hiatus. 

In 2023, meet 100’s of festivals from the likes of Austin City Limits, Coachella, Sundance, Bonnaroo, Insomniac, Bourbon & Beyond, Outside Lands, Global Citizen, Vans Warped Tour, Sonoma Film Festival, Tribeca, and many other large and small festivals. 

Speakers also include Dr. Steven Gundry on health & wellness, Woodstock photographer Henry Diltz, City Winery owner Michael Dorf, Ramon Hervey on managing stars like Bette Midler, Vanessa Williams, to name a few. Live music performances include Skip Martin (Kool & The Gang), Benise, Chris Stills, Teddy Russell, and Jesse Colin Young. 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am obsessed with my granddaughter but resist boring everyone around me with pictures and stories about how beautiful and brilliant she is. Also, I have met so many of my heroes but yet again, who wants to hear me namedrop? I read incessantly and would do anything for my family and friends. 

Pricing:

• $199 for passes for festivals
• $499 for passes for nonfestivals
• Sponsorships are available!

Contact Info:

• Website: FestForums.com
• Instagram: @FestForums
• Twitter: @FestForums
• Youtube: @FestForums

Image Credits
William Butler