Modern Business Profile: The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
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Image via SB Photography
In conversation with Mike Anderson, producer of The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival.
You’ve got some well-known, heavy-hitters in the industry in your lineup - how’d you get so much star power?
We connected with the comedians and their agents and they loved the idea of the outdoor comedy fest and it’s all about make them the rockstar for the day.
The idea was born out of us producing several big country festivals, rock festivals, and 90’s festivals, and there was nothing for comedians on a big outdoor stage in Canada.
We took that idea and pitched it to comedians, who loved the idea.
It’s a different avenue to present their material and a special experience.
Mike Anderson, Producer of The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
How would you summarize the GOCF to a stranger?
It’s great and it’s outdoors…
It’s world’s largest outdoor comedy festival
It’s got the intimacy of a comedy club but its’ also the feel of an event on a grand scale.
How do we accomplish that?
We’ve got tables and it’s part of our VIP experience.
Guests can get a table for 2,4 or 6 people and what’s really cool is that during Covid, we were trying to eliminate lineups, and one of the innovations we came up with was the “roam system” where people scan a barcode on the table, put in their drink order, and then a few minutes later, it shows up at their table.
Regarding expansion, where are you looking geographically and when?
We’re looking at 2023 very seriously, worst case 2024 but we’re looking at expanding coast to coast in Canada by 2023.
Where in Canada are you looking at?
I don’t want to give too much away but I do love the Maritimes, BC, Ontario…the Blue Bombers have a fantastic football team…
Will you have the same scale of operation in Ontario that you do in Alberta?
Each festival will have a similar feel and a similar scale.
There’s not going to be a watered down version of the festival; it’s going to be big wherever we go.
The only difference could be the length of time; it might be one day, it might be two days, it might be three days…we’re toying with that aspect of it but in essence, it’ll be the same great outdoor comedy festival with a big stage with big talent.
How long has expansion been on your radar?
The festival is only in its second year and we’re already the second biggest comedy festival in Canada outside of Just For Laughs, so we’re looking at expanding a rapid pace.
People love this concept and every time we do one, we get calls from people across the country asking how they can get a Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in different Canadian locations?
Word is getting around that this is a great way to see comedy.
It’s like a Folk Fest experience but with spoken word versus music.
Image via SB Photography
Are you shooting to be the biggest comedy festival in Canada?
I don’t think anything is going to replace Just For Laughs…they’ve been doing this for 40+ years and they do a fantastic job.
We’re looking to be an outdoor experience and it’s going to be grand and fantastic.
We’re providing great value and great entertainment to people across the country.
In a perfect world, where do you see the festival in 5 years?
I’d love to see it across the world. The US is definitely on the radar in the next five years.
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival can only really be produced in an opening of 3-4 months on Canada but there are opportunities in other markets that are more weather friendlier the other months of the year.
What was a highlight of year One?
Year one was weird because it was the first comedy festival in Canada with US entertainers since Covid. The border restrictions were lifted on August 10th, 2021 and our show was August 12th, 2021.
Also, being able to host thousands of people in the middle of a pandemic and doing it safely and doing it in a way where people feel comfortable was really special.
I have to give my team props for that because while we were shut down for a year and half, we wanted to deconstruct the consumer experience and put it together again and make it a safe one.
At the time, we didn’t know how long Covid would go on for.
The drinks and merchandise being brought to the tables, which are six-feet apart and not having them wait in long lines was so innovative and I’m proud of that and it’s special.
There’s a lot of people we didn’t see for 18 months and then the first time we saw them, they were laughing, they’re crying for just how much that meant and how healing comedy is.
It’s also the connection people have around comedy…laughter is infectious, it puts everyone in a great mood and they’re there for a common purpose of having a good time.
It was extra special during a time that was really dark.
You can watch a comedian on Netflix and there’s a lot of great specials but it’s not the same energy transfer as when you see it live and having thousands of people around you laughing.
It’s another level of comedy.
If you could pick one comedian to share a stage with, who would it be?
Eddie Murphy…rumour has it he’s making a comeback to stand up so I’d love to see that.
