With America in the middle of a total food renaissance, the food festival world has remade itself into a dynamic conversation where ideas, technology, music and entrepreneurialism have made way for a whole new class of urban events that attract an increasingly diverse base of attendees and industries. From chef-driven collaborative dinners, to large-scale region-defining events, to companies who have created their own flagship festivals to achieve branding and business objectives, this panel explores the food festival movement with some of the key industry players behind it. Learn why a well curated food event is the perfect medium for place making, brand building and fostering industry connectivity--and why some festivals shine while others sink.