The XP Guide: September 2024
September isn’t only back-to-school season for the kids, but for the grown-ups as well. The month is packed with conferences and industry-focused festivals, pulling us out of summer’s PTO mindset and back into the proverbial classroom. Of course, with NYFW, NFL kickoff and plenty of music fests to choose from, we’re still making time for recess, too. Keep reading for experiential inspiration from the biggest happenings this month, including the end of an XP era.
CONFERENCES
Fast Company Innovation Festival: Sept 16-19; NYC
The 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival is celebrating its 10th year across New York City. Bringing together some of the most creative and forward-thinking people from around the world, like Ryan Reynolds, Satya Nadella and Issa Rae, attendees can expect three days of inspiring talks, networking and unexpected learnings. The fest will include panels on diverse topics, such as quantum computing, AI regulation, evolving creative industries and entrepreneurship, providing incredible insights and connections for participants.
Dreamforce 2024: Sept 17-19; San Francisco
With numerous workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities, Dreamforce remains a must-attend for professionals in the Salesforce ecosystem, whether participating IRL or virtually through Salesforce+. The highlight of Dreamforce 2024 will be a live performance by Elton John, continuing Salesforce’s tradition of featuring top-tier musical acts every year (past year’s have hosted Red Hot Chili Pepper, Fleetwood Mac and Lenny Kravitz among others). The conference will also feature celebrity speakers like Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, alongside industry leaders and innovators.
CULINARY
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival: Sept 12-15; Atlanta
The 2024 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will celebrate its lucky 13th year with a blend of Southern charm, gourmet delights and unique experiences. Festival highlights include the popular Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods, featuring themed nights like “Flavor Fusion Friday” and “Thrill of the Grill Sunday,” along with exclusive intimate dinners at top restaurants around Atlanta. This year’s “Gourmet Food Fair” theme promises culinary creativity, interactive experiences and, of course, plenty of surprise fried-foods with a high brow twist.
Food & Wine Classic Charleston: Sept 27-29; Charleston, SC
The inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston — a collaboration between Food & Wine, Southern Living and Travel + Leisure — will showcase over 40 celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, wine and cocktail seminars and local talent, highlighting Charleston’s rich culinary heritage and Southern hospitality. With additional events like the Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate and tastings at The Grand Tasting Pavilion, the fest aims to be a dynamic celebration of Charleston’s iconic food scene and culture.
FAShion
New York Fashion Week: Sept 6-11; NYC
Featuring Spring/Summer 2025 collections, this season’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) schedule spotlights a mix of established designers like Ulla Johnson, Tibi and Peter Do, alongside the highly anticipated return of Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. New showcases focusing on sustainable fashion and diverse voices are also set to make an impact. Attendees can look forward to exclusive after-parties, panel discussions, and product demonstrations that provide deeper insights into the creative process behind the fashion industry.
FESTIVALS
Toronto Film Festival: Sept 5-15; Toronto
The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (aka TIFF) will celebrate its 49th edition with a diverse lineup of films from around the world. The party will start with the world premiere of Nutcrackers, directed by David Gordon Green, and close with Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb. This year’s event will also feature a mix of high-profile premieres, retrospectives and industry panels, including a tribute to the works of Pedro Almodóvar. With screenings, talks and networking opportunities, TIFF remains a major hub for global cinema and film enthusiasts.
iHeartRadio Music Festival: Sept 20-21; Las Vegas
The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will take place over two days featuring performances by stars like Big Sean, Doja Cat, Camila Cabello and Gwen Stefani. The fest will be broadcast live across iHeartMedia radio stations and livestreamed on Hulu as well. Music fans across the country still have the chance to win trips to Las Vegas to experience the festival through iHeartMedia’s on-air and online promotions.
Riot Fest: Sept 20-22; Chicago
Riot Fest 2024 will take place in Chicago’s Douglass Park, featuring over 90 bands across three days. Headliners include Fall Out Boy, Beck, Slayer and NOFX — performing on all three nights — along with acts like Public Enemy, St. Vincent and Rob Zombie. Known for its mix of punk, rock, metal, and alternative music, the fest will also feature attractions like a carnival, food vendors, and after-shows across the city, making it a must-attend event for fans of the scene.
IMMERSIVE
Space Explorers: THE INFINITE: Opens Sept 20; Charlotte, NC
XLISTERS
Felix Lajeunesse, Paul Raphael and Phoebe Greenberg’s immersive VR experience Space Explorers: The Infinite is set to transport its Charlotte visitors to the International Space Station. Using VR headsets, visitors can take a virtual walk through the ISS and engage with astronauts throughout the station. To build this out-of-this-world experience, Felix & Paul and PHI Studio partnered with NASA to create 3D cameras capable of operating in space, then shot all angles of the space station and 12 astronauts on six separate NASA missions. The footage collection took over three years, resulting in enough 3D video that the visitor feels like they are truly in the space station as they walk around the 10,000-square-foot open room.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue: Opens Sept 20; Dallas, TX
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is an interactive, touring event designed to bring the beloved video game to life in a real-world setting. The experience allows participants to enter a Minecraft-inspired world where they can explore various biomes, just like in the game. Attendees will embark on quests that involve problem-solving and teamwork, all while interacting with familiar game elements such as creepers, pandas and other mobs.
SPORTS
NFL Season Kickoff: Sept 5; Kansas City
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will host the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium for the 2024 NFL Season Kickoff. The highly anticipated game will feature a rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship, pitting MVP quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson against each other. This season opener will set the tone for the 105th NFL season, which includes new scheduling twists like the first regular-season game in Brazil on September 6 between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
theater
Sleep No More: Closes Sept 29; NYC
From Punchdrunk’s artistic director and XLISTER, Felix Barrett, the immersive theater sensation Sleep No More is closing after a remarkable 13-year run. The show, which reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth as an interactive experience, has been a cornerstone of NYC’s theater scene, attracting over two million visitors since its debut in 2011. Audience members, donning masks, explore the intricately designed McKittrick Hotel, following characters through a dark, dreamlike world. Due to high demand, the closing date was extended multiple times, but this final run marks the end of one of the most influential immersive productions in modern theater.
Join us in XP Land. A community for experiential creatives and experience-makers, brand leaders and IP-owners, space stewards and venue visionaries — all of those in the business of epic gatherings and live, immersive storytelling.
