Kate Johnston

Kate Johnston, Executive Director of Hillside Festival, shares insights on creating sustainable outdoor events. Learn from Hillside's award-winning 40-year journey in eco-friendly practices. Discover how Hillside's innovative approaches, from electric shuttles to four-stream waste sorting, can inspire your event's sustainability efforts

Outcomes:

1) Waste management strategies.

2) Reusable dish systems.

3) Carbon footprint reduction techniques

BIO:

Kate Johnston has over 20 years’ experience in arts, culture, and non-profit management. She was formerly the Artistic Director of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and General Manager of the Livery Theatre, and held a senior management role with Roosevelt Campobello International Park, an international heritage site. She is currently the Executive Director of the award-winning progressive and environmentally sustainable Hillside Festival in Guelph. Kate is passionate about community-building through arts and culture experiences.

Hillside Festival welcomes over 1400 unique individual volunteers every year over the course of its three-day annual weekend outdoor music festival. From a brief dip shortly after the pandemic, interest in the volunteer program has roared back, stronger than ever, so much so that there is a waiting list each year for additional interested volunteers. Explore best practices of building and maintaining a strong volunteer program for festivals and events with Hillside's Executive Director and Volunteer Program Manager.

Outcomes:

1) Understanding of best practices in volunteer cycle: recruitment, orientation, training, and evaluation.

2)Understanding of best practices in volunteer communication and outreach.

3)Understanding of recommended volunteer management policies.

BIO:

Kate Johnston has over 20 years’ experience in arts, culture, and non-profit management. She was formerly the Artistic Director of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and General Manager of the Livery Theatre, and held a senior management role with Roosevelt Campobello International Park, an international heritage site. She is currently the Executive Director of the award-winning progressive and environmentally sustainable Hillside Festival in Guelph. Kate is passionate about community-building through arts and culture experiences.