Keynote: Keith Walthers

Description:

1. The keys to generating new attendance from across your region and the surrounding areas.

2. Win market share with your WHY Factor!

3. Strategies for aligning your festivals with your current clients and new guests

4. Ways to effectively communicate with your audience to win over new attendance and customers – Bonding vs. Branding

5. Harness the changes in consumer behaviour to grow your festival and event

6. Follow your potential customers through their entire buying journey

Outcomes:

1. Understand exactly how to attract new attendees from their region and surrounding areas using proven digital and behavioral strategies.

2. Clarify and articulate their festival’s “WHY Factor,” and learn how leveraging purpose-driven messaging can win market share and strengthen audience loyalty.

3. Master the difference between Bonding vs. Branding and discover communication tactics that build emotional connection—not just awareness.

4. Map and optimize the attendee buying journey from first touchpoint to ticket purchase, ensuring consistent and persuasive digital engagement.

BIO:

Keith Walthers is a seasoned media and marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience helping organizations grow through smart, integrated advertising — and he does it with a down-to-earth style audiences instantly connect with. As President of International marketing firms Mad Ads Interactive and Ad Caffeine Digital Advertising, Keith blends traditional media know-how with modern digital strategies that actually work in the real world.

Keith has collaborated with major media brands including Bell Media, iHeartMedia, Hearst, Stingray, and the New York Post, and has delivered thousands of presentations around the globe to tens of thousands of businesses. Known for his humour, practical insights, and relatable storytelling, Keith delivers actionable ideas festival and event professionals can use immediately to strengthen marketing impact, grow attendance, and build sustainable community connections.