New Format Highlights 2022 Forward Festival

Posted on by Liz Sacco

(MADISON, Wis.)—Entrepreneurs, students, small businesses, tech-folks and difference-makers will now have new chances to learn, make connections and collaborate with others as the 13th annual Forward Festival will be held Monday through Friday instead of during an eight-day period. Forward Festival will take place Aug. 15-19 and feature approximately 30 events, organizers announced today.

“As a festival, we pride ourselves on being people-focused,” Hilary Stohs-Krause, festival board member and co-owner of Ten Forward Consulting, said. “After doing research and getting attendees’ feedback, we decided to change the format of the festival. We hope participants and speakers will appreciate how the new schedule better aligns with the workweek.”

The condensed format is designed to inspire collaboration in Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, specifically with event organizers working together this year more than ever. For example, area workplace and economic diversity groups are organizing the Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

The festival still features its annual events such as the Badger Startup Summit on Aug. 15 and the Doyenne Group’s 5x5x5 pitch event on Aug. 17. New event themes this year include sports, the introduction of a public food market and drag queen bingo at Delta Beer Lab, which is the new beer partner.

This year, participants have three different options for the Forward Pass—a free Virtual-Only Pass; the standard Forward Pass, which gives access to all virtual and in-person events; and the Friend of the Fest Pass, which adds the 2022 merchandise. Registration for the Friend of the Fest Forward Passes ends 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 30.

Forward Festival is sponsored by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, M3 Insurance, MG&E, Neider & Boucher, Swink, Urban Land Interests, WEDC, WIPFLI and the Wisconsin Union. Public relations support is provided by Revelation PR, Advertising & Social Media. For a detailed listing of events taking place during the Forward Festival, please visit www.forwardfest.org.

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