OVERVIEW
Before you invest thousands to millions — and devote months of energy — let us help you make an informed, responsible, festival development decision.
Our Festival Feasibility Study is a 360° opportunity analysis that gives you the insight, intel, and expert evaluation you need to move forward with purpose and precision.
Get the answers you need to weigh risk vs reward, secure stakeholder buy-in, and proceed confidently.
It's the move that could save you millions — or make you millions.
DELIVERABLES
You'll receive an A–Z feasibility study, opportunity grade, and strategic recommendation.
A 360° opportunity analysis that gives you the insight, intel, and expert evaluation you need to move forward with purpose and precision.
CONCEPT & COMPETITION
- Concept Strength
- Competitive Landscape
- Market Openings
FINANCIAL
- Financial Modeling
- Financial Risk & Reward
- Acquisition Potential & Prospects
INDUSTRY
- Trends & Timing
- Programming Genres
- IP & Trademark Protection
AUDIENCE
- Target & Market Demographics
- Tourism & Visitor Data
- Affordability & Pricing Elasticity
- Lifestyle Interest Mapping
MARKET
- Dates, Climate, Access & Transportation
- Hotels, Venues & Infrastructure
- Service, Hospitality & Points of Interest
INTERVIEWS
- City & Industry stakeholders
- Sponsors & Partners
- Small Businesses & Non-Profits
A Selection of Clients We’ve Helped Grow
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Vision validated. Risk reduced.
Backed by evidence. Informed by experience.
Proceed
Move forward with confidence, backed by evidence and expert consensus.
Pivot
Refined direction based on data, a stress-tested vision.
Stop
Avoid costly missteps with early due diligence.
Confidence
Founder peace of mind and investor-ready materials.
JK MCKNIGHT
Your point of contact — and the experience leader behind AOI.
JK McKnight has spent 25 years in festival development. He founded Forecastle Festival, growing it from 50 people into a 75,000-person destination event and one of America's most critically acclaimed festivals. He later worked with AC Entertainment (Bonnaroo, Big Ears, High Water, Railbird and more). Today, he helps founders design, produce, and grow world-class festivals through proven strategy, specialized expertise, and decades of firsthand experience.
Read JK's full bioFrequently Asked Questions
A 360° opportunity analysis that gives you the insight, intel, and expert evaluation you need to move forward with purpose and precision — before you invest thousands to millions or devote months of energy to a festival concept.
Six to eight weeks from kickoff to final report.
Six domains: Concept & Competition, Financial, Industry, Audience, Market, and Interviews with city stakeholders, industry experts, sponsors, small businesses, and community groups.
An A–Z feasibility study, an opportunity grade, and a strategic recommendation — go, pivot, or don't proceed — backed by evidence and expert consensus, with investor-ready materials.
Then you've saved months of energy and thousands to millions of dollars in festival startup expenses. That's often the highest-ROI outcome a feasibility study can deliver.
Take your festival to the next stage
Schedule a free discovery call with our team. We’ll assess where you are, where you want to go, and exactly how we can help you get there.