As part of this year’s edition of Sofia Swing Dance Festival, our team is organising the International Swing Conference – a panel talk event aimed at community leaders, event organisers, swing dance teachers, musicians and all members of the swing dance and music family.

The event will take place on the 01st of July as part of the programme of Sofia Swing Dance Festival 2021.

Agenda:

12:00 – 13:15 Panel Talk 01: Covid-19 Impact on local scenes

The first panel talk of the day will take a closer look at the impacts of the pandemic on the international and local swing dance scenes. Our panel members will share their first-hand experience from the effects of the crisis on their local organisations and communities. We will discuss different aspects of the crisis, how local leaders struggled to overcome them and keep the community together.

13:15 – 14:30 Panel Talk 02: Reaching and retaining target audiences

In this second panel talk, we will address topics related to the communication with our community members and target audiences. More specifically, our panellists will talk about the need for more professional approach to online marketing and the application of different communication tools. We will discuss how to approach and attract new community members and bring back and retain long-time students.

14:30 – 15:00 Break

15:00 – 16:30 Panel Talk 03: The way ahead

Introducing the Swinging Europe Network – an Association dedicated to work for the sustainable development of European swing culture, creative scene and artists. The main goal of this newly established organisation is to support our sector by providing access to information and resources; increase the professionalization of the sector; find and encourage young artists and organisations; provide opportunities for training, collaboration, and exchange of good practices among community members.

16:30 – 17:30 Networking session

 

The International Swing Conference is organised as part of the Swinging Europe Network project supported by the Creative Europe programme of the EU, the National Culture Fund Bulgaria, and Sofia Municipality Culture Programme.