Guide for Presenters
The Art of Mass Gatherings at LEAF Festival
We're excited you'll be joining us as part of this event and are so grateful for your time. We've prepared this guide to provide some helpful information. You can always e-mail or call your event contact with questions!
Weather forecast in Black Mountain for the next 7 days. Check back closer to the event date for updates!
Have you registered yet?
Register for the event as a Speaker/Presenter ticket
Provide brief speaker details for use in our event program.
Purchase a LEAF Festival parking pass ($10). If you don't pre-order parking, you must pay cash only onsite.
We're pleased to offer you one complimentary festival pass for Sunday! However, you will need to purchase an additional discounted festival pass directly from LEAF if you:
Plan to attend any other days of LEAF Festival
Plan to camp onsite on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night
Will be joined by other people on Sunday who will not be attending the Art of Mass Gatherings symposium
If this applies to you, please text Jennifer Pickering of LEAF Festival (828) 713-6504 with details about what days you plan to attend and how many people are in your party. Work exchange positions are available in lieu of financial payment; please let her know if this is of interest. Please let us know as well about your arrival/departure plans if you'll be spending the weekend.
Join Our Partners List
If you'd like us to list your organization as a community partner in the program and related materials, please fill out this form or e-mail us your logo and any description or links you'd like to share.
Getting ready for the symposium
Before the event
Ensure you have registered for the event & purchased parking or festival passes! Details above.
If it's been requested, please send us a brief description and/or title of your session, and e-mail us any slides, videos, or other digital materials you'll be presenting.
We'll introduce you to any co-presenters by e-mail.
Get your business cards ready, and prepare any other materials you'd like to incorporate into your session!
We want to make this event as accessible and valuable as possible to anyone who would like to participate. Let us know any requests, concerns, or questions you have or other ways we can help set you up for success.
Spread the word!
Invite friends, colleagues, and your network to join you for this free learning and networking symposium! You'll find all the details in our LEAF Event Outreach Kit.
The Morning of the Event
Please arrive by about 9-9:15am
The listed event address is the location of the festival's drive-thru check-in at Owen Pool. Access to the festival grounds and symposium is via shuttle bus. Shuttles that day begin at 9:00am. Our program starts promptly at 10:30am, and LEAF Festival has recommended that everyone arrive to Owen Pool about an hour in advance to ensure you have adequate time to park and join us.
Our team will be onsite at LEAF Festival as of Saturday, Oct. 22nd. If you'd like to see the site or ask questions, contact us to schedule a video call! We will also share updated photos and information via e-mail once onsite.
Getting Onsite & What to Expect When You Arrive
Most map directions should be accurate to arrival to the listed address at Owen Pool. You'll drive through the Drive-Thru Check-In, receive a parking pass, and be directed by LEAF Festival staff where to park and catch the shuttle. Take the shuttle to the Eden Hall stop. An Art of Mass Gatherings point person will be waiting for you at the shuttle drop-off to walk you to our event location. If you don't see someone, please wait just a few minutes-- they may have just brought a group over. We'll have coffee and breakfast ready for you at Eden Hall!
More details in the "Accessibility" section of our event registration page.
Presenter Tips
So you've been asked to present at an Art of Mass Gatherings. Now what?! Browse this short FAQ and check out the first few slides below for an overview of what to expect. Please reach out if we can be of support.
Who's the audience?
The audience at an Art of Mass Gatherings is primarily event producers and arts and cultural workers. We do typically have some representation from emergency professionals, government agencies, and other people interested in the intersections between events and community preparedness. Participants come from a wide variety of skill levels and specializations. Some of them might have expertise in your specific topic– invite them into the conversation if your session format permits!
What time should I arrive onsite?
We hope you'll join us for the entire day's program! These events are at their best when everyone takes turns as teachers and learners, participating throughout the day. We understand though that this isn't always possible. To help with logistics we'd just ask that you please let your main contact know or mention in your registration if you can only join us for your session or part of the day.
What should I present?
View the Presenter's Guide in Google Slides or browse the slides below:
What is the Art of Mass Gatherings?
The Art of Mass Gatherings is a national touring program that uses festivals as classrooms for building community resilience and climate change preparedness. Our learning and networking symposia bring event and emergency professionals together to share practices for creating safe, resilient events and cultural gatherings.
Through skills training, participatory asset mapping, safety and accessibility site tours, and interactive solar power and water system demos, local and nationally-renowned professionals across disciplines gain fluency in each other’s craft, all while experiencing the music, art, food, and atmosphere of their regional festivals.