Here's a big-picture takeaway from the jazzfest now that it's done: I didn't end up with any unique access from the media accreditation process. It amounted to comps to a bunch of shows, i.e. it's only money.
I don’t really need to do that again next time. I can spend my money on going to these shows and have an identical experience without any media-festival relations. Unless there is some sort of special access on offer next time, you could even say I have the obligation to pursue it that way in 2025.