In this informative session held at the 2008 Sync Up Conference in New Orleans, moderator Scott Aiges and a panel of experts discuss the international festival scene and Louisiana - how all artists (from Louisiana or not) get booked onto international festivals, Louisiana's place on the world music stage, and some of the administrative, logistical and financial problems that ensue from booking internationally. The panelists also share information about the festivals they run, and explain their goals as well as some of the obstacles they face. Panelists: Peter Tladi of the Joy of Jazz Festival (Johannesburg, South Africa), artist manager Cynthia Simien, Edgard Radesca of the Bourbon Street Music Club and its accompanying Bourbon Street Festival (São Paolo, Brazil), Rick Mitchell from the Houston International Festival (Houston, TX), Peter Dammann of the Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, OR) , and Justine Lubet of the Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival (Nancy, France).

Panel: Scott Aiges, Peter Tladi, Cynthia Simien, Edgard Radesca, Rick Mitchell, Peter Dammann, Justine Lubet

In this segment of a panel held at the 2008 Sync Up Festival in New Orleans, Peter Dammann of Portland, Oregon's Waterfront Blues Festival explains how the festival is produced, funded, and presented, and how the festival works with local community groups (such as food banks) to turn the entertainment into something socially worthwhile. He also discusses the challenges of balancing economics with excellence and fame when trying to book a festival.