incentive. Partner with local organizations in the host city, e.g. the Chamber of Commerce or a local Arts Council. Find a major event taking place which could benefit from a partnership; your contestants’ work might be a major asset to their program. The grand prize, apart from whatever you already decide to offer the winner(s), is the visibility of being associated with these organizations…and thus get in front of a large audience.
3) Define your stakeholders.
Your directors and producers are the ones supplying quality content–the lifeblood of your site and your best promotional asset leading up to the festival.
Your visitors are your primary source of feedback. Leverage their opinions wisely and you’ll find many ways to bring them back to your site, and to your festival–along with their friends.