The festival allows all the companies to present their projects at professional meeting with promoters and planners seeking shows to feature at their venues and festivals. Be Festival began in Birmingham in 2010 as an annual event for the contemporary performing arts sector. Since 2011 it has been organising an annual tour entitled ‘The best of Be Festival’ in which emerging artists receive a unique support package and incentives that combine professional development, masterclasses, residencies and workshops, financial support, prizes and valuable feedback about their new work and the ideas of fellow artists and audiences