A Small-Scale Festival As a Catalyst for Individual and Community Change

Abstract

Delivery of behavioral change that benefits both individuals and communities requires individuals and organizations to disrupt current practices. Unique skills and strong networks are needed to enact change with those mastering requisites demonstrating the strongest capacity to deliver behavioral changes that communities need. This study critically analyzes the role of a festival as a catalyst for individual and community change. Formative research was applied in three stages. Attendee prefestival expectations of networking and educational opportunities were fulfilled through festival attendance. Skills, ideas, and networks, which were promoted as the key outcomes, were reported by attendees and represented a key driver of their festival attendance. Attendees stated they would modify their workplace practices such as using digital storytelling and increasing community collaboration to benefit their community. Managerial implications included the need for greater networking opportunities during the festival and also the lengthening of sessions to cater for greater discussion among attendees.