The inaugural FailedFest will take place on December 12, 2024 at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple, a non-traditional business venue for an unorthodox business conference. Attendees can expect to hear stories about failure in order embrace it, laugh a bit, learn, and heal.
FailedFest is set to debut in Salt Lake City as a groundbreaking event that celebrates failure and the invaluable lessons it teaches. Designed to shift perspectives on business setbacks, this unique gathering will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to share stories, build connections, and inspire resilience.
When and Where:
FailedFest was born out of a desire to de-stigmatize failure in the entrepreneurial community. The event’s founders believe failure is not only inevitable but also a vital part of growth and success. By creating a space where attendees can openly discuss their struggles and triumphs, FailedFest hopes to foster a culture of learning, authenticity, and support.
The inaugural event will take place at the Masonic Temple in Salt Lake City, a venue chosen for its distinctive ambiance and intimate atmosphere. Departing from the sterile feel of traditional conference centers, this location underscores the event’s mission to foster genuine connections.
"Because the topic itself is a little more more vulnerable, we wanted the venue to feel more intimate, have a lot of character, and to be a bit unusual," said Lindsey Ivie, one of founders of FailedFest, which she founded this year Sam Salisbury and her husband, John Ivie. "You get that with the Masonic Temple versus more traditional conference venues."
"A lot of our successes are because of our failures, not despite our failures," shared Lindsey Ivie who sat down with TechBuzz to tell us about the plan for the inaugural FailedFest.
"We felt there needed to be an event that created an intimate place for entrepreneurs to talk about startup failure, share lessons learned, and walk out feeling better...'My business failed but that doesn't mean I'm a failure. That's not my identity, that's not who I am. It's just a part of my journey, and my journey is not over.'"
FailedFest promises a robust lineup of events, including:
Attendees can choose from standard or VIP ticket options, with VIP perks including high-end massage chairs, exclusive networking opportunities and access to speakers.
Speakers and panelists drawn from the community, including seasoned founders, investors, and thought leaders, will share insights on overcoming adversity and learning from mistakes:
"The cool thing about failure is, when you talk about it openly, you can help other people," explained Ivie. "There's so much that entrepreneurs can do to help other entrepreneurs in the community, to learn from missteps they have taken in business, things to avoid, pitfalls. To help others not go through those mistakes is a beautiful thing. Utah has such a great community, a great business network. Its a great startup state. But despite all the great things happening here in Utah, we can learn from mistakes. We want to provide a space for entrepreneurs to talk about the things that they typically want to cover up. It can be healing in a lot of ways, but it can also be instructive for others."
FailedFest is all about creating a supportive, vibrant community. It also about having fun. Beyond the engaging talks and panels, the F-Mart vendor area will showcase local businesses and unique products and "soon-to-be-collector's items" and Utah startup swag that could use a new home. Networking opportunities abound, offering attendees a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and share their journeys in a safe, collaborative environment.
FailedFest will offer gourmet meals to complement the novel Masonic atmosphere, ensuring every aspect of the event leaves a lasting impression.
FailedFest is just the beginning. Lindsey Ivie said they plan to transition the event into a year-round initiative called the Failed Founders Club, which will host monthly events and provide exclusive content to continue supporting entrepreneurs on their journeys.
FailedFest represents a bold step in normalizing failure and celebrating the resilience it fosters. By creating an inclusive and engaging space, the event empowers entrepreneurs to learn from their past and build a brighter future.
To register ($50 student; $100 general or $150 VIP), click here or on image below.
