Drama Festivals Conference 2009 This year’s Drama Festival Conference is to be held at the Kettering Conference Centre in Northamptonshire on Saturday October 24. The aim of bi-annual conference is to give everyone involved in the drama festivals movement the opportunity to meet, share their experiences of festivals and examine the latest trends on the professional and amateur stage. New technology and its impact on drama festivals will be the subject of one conference session, another speaker will give an overview of the latest trends in professional theatre, and delegates will form a series of focus groups to examine the burning issues facing contemporary festivals. There will also be an opportunity to tour the Lighthouse Theatre – a new space for both professional and community companies that forms part of the Kettering Conference Centre venue. Participation in the event, organised by GODA on behalf of the drama festivals movement, will cost delegates £49.95 including lunch and refreshments, representing an increase of less than £1 on the conference held in Birmingham in four years ago. Kettering Conference Centre is a splendid modern venue with excellent facilities and ample car parking, and is less than a mile from Kettering train station with its excellent links from London and the North East. For those travelling by road, the venue is less than two minutes from the main A14 East/West link between the A1 and M1/M6 motorways. The town of Kettering has plenty of hotel and B &B accommodation. If you would like to know more about the Drama Festivals Conference, or to book your place as a delegate please contact organiser Paul Fowler on 01536 – 511308 or email him at paul@paul-fowler.co.uk