Trying to put its financial struggles behind it as quickly as possible with the Banff Television Festival just weeks away, the Banff Television Foundation introduced a new CEO and a new agenda late last month in the hopes of shifting the industry’s focus back to planned silver anniversary celebrations.

In mid-April, the festival found itself in the unfamiliar territory of having to manage a public relations crisis after a Playback story revealed that Banff was in jeopardy and had filed for bankruptcy protection in Calgary.

In an April 22 news conference, newly appointed CEO Robert Montgomery assured gathered industry representatives and media that the festival would go on and that all prior ticket purchases and sponsorship agreements would be honored. Montgomery is a principal in Achilles Partners, a communications investment firm that signed a 10-year licence agreement to manage the festival.

‘Although we are very dismayed that the foundation ran into financial difficulties after such an illustrious history, we are delighted that Robert Montgomery and Achilles have come to the rescue, and look forward to a fantastic twenty-fifth anniversary celebration,’ said Loren Mawhinney, chair of the Banff Television Foundation board of directors.

Montgomery said that in order to get more value, organizers decided to condense the agenda so that the festival will end on the Wednesday. Previously, conference events were scheduled right up to a closing luncheon on the Friday. One of the more meaningful cuts to the schedule was the elimination of the popular Great Canadian Barbeque, which has traditionally been an opportunity for attendees to really let loose on the final night. Festival staff has also been reduced to 22 full-time employees from 30, Montgomery said.

Other changes include a single ticket price for the entire festival, which addresses complaints by attendees last year when they had to fork over additional dollars for several individual events in addition to general admission fees. All events will take place at the Banff Springs Hotel.

Montgomery, who replaces outgoing CEO Pat Ferns, also introduced a more corporate element by launching an opening-day golf tournament.

‘Twenty-five years is kind of a watershed,’ Montgomery said. The restructuring is an opportunity ‘to create a fresh blueprint for the next 25 years.’

Montgomery also took exception to the notion that he lacked the industry experience needed to run an international television festival, pointing out that he had spent years building top international events brands including conferences for Kagan World Media and Digital Media International. ‘This is an events business,’ he said.

The Banff festival ran into trouble last year due to an over-ambitious expansion strategy coupled with a SARS outbreak and a long-term downturn in the international TV market. Montgomery refused to comment on the festival’s financial troubles during the conference.

Festival organizers expect 1,800 producers and broadcasters from around the world to attend the June 13-17 festival, up from approximately 1,600 last year.

-www.banfftvfest.com