Music festivals in British Columbia: Examining stakeholder relations to build effective partnerships and foster sustainability

Music festivals are increasing in both popularity and diversity around the globe, due at least in part to their economic potential. A well planned and marketed festival can be a driver of community tourism and business growth. They can also strengthen the artistic culture and provide attendees with a highly sought after and unique experience. However, festivals are also known for producing waste and pollution, causing rifts in communities, and commonly running deficits. Current literature on festivals outline environmental implications, the importance of providing benefits to all stakeholders, and the need to fulfill economic potentials. Yet environmental issues persist and many festivals are viewed as unsuccessful on multiple fronts. Presently there is a major gap in the research on sustainable practices of festivals in Canada, with a particularly scarcity in British Columbia. This research reviews existing practices of music festivals within British Columbia, draws comparisons to those covered in the literature and evaluates the barriers and drivers of environmentalism faced by festival management. The thesis also addresses issues of sustainability by exploring the relationships between stakeholders and festival management, and assessing the way they shape environmental decisions and foster strong partnerships. A community-based participatory framework guides the study, using qualitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews and surveys at three separate festivals within the interior of BC. This research demonstrates that a thorough understanding of these relationships can lead to partnerships that will create attainable environmental, economic, and sustainability goals. With escalating international competition for resources and a growing need to protect our natural environment, it is even more important for events to have the support of all those directly and indirectly impacted. This research fills a significant gap in festival literature and makes sound recommendations to improve stakeholder management practices and related environmental policies.