2025 CONFERENCE
October 23–26, 2025
Elgin, Illinois

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 22

5:00pm – 7:00pm

WELCOME HAPPY HOUR
Martini Room • 161 E. Chicago St., Elgin
Open to all USAFF attendees, local Fringe friends, and Elgin art lovers

The Elgin Fringe Festival, Side Street Studio Arts, and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission are thrilled to welcome the 2025 United States Association of Fringe Festivals Conference to downtown Elgin! Help us kick off the weekend with a warm Elgin welcome. Join us for an evening of drinks, bites, and connection with fellow festival organizers, artists, and friends from across the country.Unwind after your travels, meet your hosts and fellow guests, and get ready for a weekend full of conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. Let’s celebrate the start of an unforgettable few days—Fringe style!

All events will take place in downtown Elgin, with most meetings held at
Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Additional meals and activities are within walking distance, just a block or two away. For activities outside of Side Street Studio Arts, an address is listed on the schedule.

SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS (SSSA)

15 Ziegler Court, Elgin

UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE
USE DOOR MARKED 151/2

Friday, October 24

8:00am – 10:00am

OPEN MEETING TIME
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE OPEN

Side Street Studio Arts spaces available to USAFF members for hanging, meeting, etc. Coffee donated by Gigawatt Coffee Roasters and snacks available.

10:00am – 11:15am

MARKETING & GROWING FESTIVAL RECOGNITION
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE
Facilitated by Michael Novelli (Elgin Fringe) and Nick Mataragas (Elgin Fringe).

How do we tell our stories, reach new audiences, and grow the visibility of our festivals while staying true to our missions and communities? This group conversation invites participants to share real-world experiences, creative marketing strategies, and lessons learned from both successes and challenges. Bring your best ideas, your biggest marketing hurdles, and a willingness to brainstorm — this is a collaborative space for festival leaders looking to amplify their reach and impact.

11:30am – 1:00pm

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
OPEN TO ALL. Led by Dawn Bentley (Minnesota Fringe) via Zoom:
https://umn.zoom.us/j/93753484277

1:00pm – 2:00pm

LUNCH BREAK
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER
Lunch onsite provided by Side Street Studio Arts.

2:00pm – 3:00pm

BUSINESS SESSION
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

World Fringe Conversation
USAFF at World Fringe
Karrie from Tysers
Membership Committee Meeting update
Communications Committee Meeting update

3:00pm – 3:45pm

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

Led by Paul Daily (Indy Fringe) and Holly Lombardo (World Fringe).
Fringe doesn’t end when the festival does. Around the world, festivals are expanding their impact through year-round programming — from residencies, workshops, and performances to community partnerships and educational initiatives.This conversational session invites participants to share what’s happening beyond the big event, explore how off-season programming strengthens local arts ecosystems, and discuss creative ways to keep artists, audiences, and energy engaged all year long.

4:00pm – 4:45pm

FUNDING, FUNDRAISING, & FINANCIAL STABILITY
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

Led by Erin Rehberg (Elgin Fringe) with Holly Lombardo (World Fringe).

Keeping a Fringe festival financially stable is no small feat. This conversation digs into how festivals of all sizes approach funding and sustainability—from creative fundraising efforts and community partnerships to long-term planning and resource sharing. We’ll explore what’s working, what’s not, and how we can build stronger financial foundations to keep our festivals thriving year after year.

5:00pm – 5:30pm

WALKING TOUR:
Elgin Fringe Venues & Nightmare on Chicago Street
Led by Tanner Melvin (Elgin Fringe Festival).

6:00pm – 7:30pm

FAMILY DINNER FOR USAFF
Al's Cafe, 43 DuPage Court, Elgin

We'll gather at a historical local spot for a time of connection. Guests will pay for the own meals.

SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS (SSSA)

15 Ziegler Court, Elgin

UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE
USE DOOR MARKED 151/2

Saturday, October 25

11:00am – 1:00pm

OPEN MEETING TIME
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE OPEN

Side Street Studio Arts spaces available to USAFF members for hanging, meeting, etc. Coffee donated by Gigawatt Coffee Roasters and snacks available.

1:30pm – 2:30pm

ROUNDTABLE ON LEADERSHIP, TEAM, & VOLUNTEERS
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

Running a Fringe requires a small army of passionate people, clear leadership, and a structure that can flex and grow as the festival evolves. In this open roundtable, festival leaders and organizers will share how their teams are built, how they cultivate effective leadership, and how they attract, train, and retain volunteers year after year. We’ll dig into questions like:

What leadership models best support your festival’s size and mission?
How do you balance paid staff and volunteer labor?
What keeps volunteers coming back—and how do you find new ones?
How can strong team structures help prevent burnout and foster sustainability?

Come ready to share what works (and what doesn’t) for your organization, swap resources, and explore creative approaches to building strong, supported, and inspired teams that make our festivals thrive.

2:45pm – 3:45pm

SPACE FOR WHAT'S NEEDED
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

4:00pm – 5:30pm

CLOSING SESSION ROUNDTABLE
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

6:00pm – 11:00pm

NIGHTMARE ON CHICAGO STREET
You’ll be right in the middle of a production-nerd’s dream come true! You’re welcome to dive in—or just take it all in from the sidelines—but either way, you have free admission and a VIP space at Side Street. We’ve scheduled sessions to allow for maximum Nightmare enjoyment.

NOCS is Elgin’s massive city-wide immersive Halloween experience, presented by the Zombie Defense Initiative. It features themed streets, immersive performances, food and drink, and thousands of attendees.

PARKING & DOWNTOWN ELGIN ACCESS

All events will take place in downtown Elgin, with most meetings held UPSTAIRS at SSSA– Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Additional meals and activities are within walking distance, just a block or two away. For activities outside of Side Street Studio Arts, addresses are listed on the schedule page.

Downtown Elgin will be buzzing as the city transforms for Nightmare on Chicago Street. We can’t wait for you to experience it! Please note that street access and parking will be limited and shift throughout the week. Be sure to allow extra time, and pay attention to signs and posted hours.

FREE PARKING NEAR SSSA
(SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS)

IN FRONT OF SSSA:

Most street parking will be prohibited all week, and Spring & Chicago Streets will be closed on Saturday.

TWO BLOCKS SOUTH

Parking Garage:
Fulton & Spring Streets

FOUR BLOCKS NORTH WEST

City Hall/Post Office Lot:
Douglas & Highland Aves.

FIVE BLOCKS NORTHWEST

Grand Victoria Casino Lot:
Lake St. & Grove Ave.

SIX BLOCKS SOUTHWEST
Rec Center Parking Garage:
Symphony Way

MEALS & SNACKS

Lots of snacks and meals throughout the conference are generously supported by Side Street Studio Arts and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.

On Friday night, we have a group reservation at Al’s Café for a family-style dinner. This meal will be on you, but we hope everyone will join. We’ll collect final headcounts on Thursday.

SCHEDULE STRUCTURE & FLEXIBILITY

We've received consistent feedback emphasizing the importance of unstructured time. This year's conference will include:

Built-in time for open networking and informal check-ins
Lounge and workspace areas available throughout the day for one-on-one meetings, committee regroupings, or rest.
Coffee breaks, community meals, and evening socials designed for continued connection.

All events will take place in downtown Elgin, with most meetings held at Side Street Studio Arts (SSSA) Additional meals and activities are within walking distance, just a block or two away. For activities outside of Side Street Studio Arts, addresses are listed on the schedule.

SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS (SSSA)
15 Ziegler Court, Elgin
UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE
USE DOOR MARKED 151/2

Thursday, October 23

8:00am – 10:00am

OPEN MEETING TIME
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE OPEN
Side Street Studio Arts spaces available to USAFF members for hanging, meeting, etc. Coffee donated by Gigawatt Coffee Roasters and snacks by Sugar and Rhyme Coffeehouse available.

10:00am – 12:00pm

CHECK–IN & MUST–TALK TOPICS ROUNDTABLES
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE
Led by Erin Rehberg (Elgin Fringe), Lois Neville (Hollywood Fringe), and Xela Batchelder (Pittsburgh Fringe).

Start the USAFF Conference together with this guided, full-group session where we’ll surface shared challenges, goals, and ideas shaping the future of Fringe. Through open conversation and collective reflection, we’ll explore:

Re-thinking how to Fringe (and why we Fringe) in 2025 and beyond
The philosophy and future of USAFF
Individual Fringe updates from across the country

12:00pm – 12:30pm

LUNCH BREAK
SSSAA UPSTAIRS THEATER

Lunch onsite provided by Side Street Studio Arts from Blue Box Cafe, sandwiches, salad, and snacks.

12:30pm – 1:45pm

COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER & BACKSPACE OPEN
OPEN TO ALL. Led by Lois Neville (Hollywood Fringe) via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324057707

2:00pm – 3:45pm

ARTIST–FRIENDLY FESTIVALS
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE
Led by Nick Mataragas (Elgin Fringe) with Jose Alfredo (Fringe artist), Audrey Crabtree (KC Fringe) and Danny Wightkin (multi-festival performer).

Fringe festivals are known for welcoming artists of all kinds—but what makes a festival truly artist-friendly? This discussion brings together festival organizers and artists to explore how we can better attract and support artists from across the country (and beyond) while fostering lasting connections that extend beyond the festival run. Come ready to swap stories, share what’s working, and imagine new ways to help artists thrive within—and beyond—the Fringe.

4:00pm – 5:45pm

POLITICS & FRINGE–CREATING IN THIS MOMENT
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

Led by Nick Mataragas (Elgin Fringe) with Danielle Heal (Illinois Arts Council), Josh Hsu (Port Fringe), and Tish Powell (Elgin City Council).

This conversation will explore the intersections of politics, art, and community — how artists and festivals navigate the current political climate, balance expression and responsibility, and use the arts as a space for conversation and change.

6:00pm

Happy Hour & Snacks
SSSA UPSTAIRS THEATER
Enjoy snacks and drinks provided by Side Street Studio Arts!

7:00pm

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Danny Wightkin’s Help Me, Help You, Help Yourself!
SSSA UPSTAIRS BACKSPACE

In this special showing for USAFF, Danny will present an award-winning, interactive hour of silly, preposterous performance fun! As the clown Your Silent Partner, he’ll attempt to share everything he’s gathered during his time on Earth… but he can’t do it alone. He’ll need our help to pull it off!

2025 CONFERENCE
October 23–26, 2025
Elgin, Illinois

ELGIN FRINGE PRODUCER:
SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS

STAY CONNECTED

OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY PARTNERS

2025 CONFERENCE October 23–26, 2025 Elgin, Illinois

ELGIN FRINGE PRODUCER: SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS

STAY CONNECTED

OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY PARTNERS

2025 CONFERENCE
October 23–26, 2025
Elgin, Illinois

ELGIN FRINGE PRODUCER:
SIDE STREET STUDIO ARTS