Festivals come in all forms—from Barcelona’s massive Primavera Sound to Boston’s local Jamaica Plain Music Festival, from commercial events like Nashville’s Country Music Association Music Fest to non-profits like Denmark’s Roskilde that donates all proceeds to charities. They are a lot of fun, but for city halls, media corporations, cultural institutions, and community groups, they can be a vital part of a complex growth strategy that uses, nurtures, and at times exploits, local scenes. Panelists with experience in festival production and community relations will discuss international strategies for connecting places and events, with an eye on cultural policies that improve local culture.