First-Timer’s Guide

We have created this guide in hopes that it will help you create a plan for your first time attending our conference!

About FAI

Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 toconnect folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and genre. The leading international voice for folk music, FAI is a 30-year-old arts nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

The organization’s expanded global network now includes more than 3,000 members and a worldwide community of cultural sector entrepreneurs and leaders that includes artists, record labels, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, and more.

We fulfill our mission through Education, Networking, and Advocacy as well as Field, Professional, and Consumer Development. Diversity and inclusion are core values of FAI.

About the Conference

The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Francophone, Global Roots, Indigenous, Latin, Old-Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, and Spoken Word).

The annual conference (now in its 31st year) draws 2,800 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2018 conference represented 35 countries.

Introduction

To serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion.

OUR MISSION:

Kansas City

Register

There are many affordable ways to attend the conference. First, we highly recommend that you become a member of FAI. Members of FAI get discounted registrations, are eligible for scholarships, and are able to volunteer fewer hours than non-members in exchange for a free registration.

MembershipThere are seven types of memberships:• Non-Voting Membership (non-industry professionals, non-artist members, typically fans)

• Individual Membership (one person who is part of the folk music industry)

• Partner Membership (two people -- life, business, or performing partners)

• Small Organization (bands up to 5 members and organizations with an annual budget less than $50k)

• Medium Organization (bands up to 9 members and organizations with an annual budget of• $50k-$300k)

• Large Organization (bands up to 20 members and organizations with an annual budget over $300k)

Memberships expire one year after purchase. Member enrollment is open all year, and benefits

begin immediately.

Pre-Conference

2019 Theme: Spirit of Creativity

The 2019 conference theme, The Spirit of Creativity, will explore the artistic process from inspiration to innovation. Host city Montréal provides the perfect setting. The conference hotel, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in, where they recorded “Give Peace a Chance.”

DeadlinesPay attention to registration deadlines! Many people miss out on discounts simply because they weren’t aware of the deadlines. Each year there are tiered discount rates (the dates of these rates will fluctuate). Register early for significant savings. Only FAI members can register at the early bird rate.

The prices listed are per person. This means that if you are a band, the group rate listed is what you will pay per each member of the band.

Roles of Conference Attendees When registering, you will select your primary (and possibly secondary) role. Your badge at the conference will display this selection. The most common roles are Artist, Industry, Presenter, Media, and Associate. You may also see other badges at the conference such as Staff, Guest, and Press. It’s important to understand what each of these roles mean so that you know who you’re talking to when you meet someone!

The “Artist” role is pretty self explanatory. “Industry” includes managers, agents, record labels, recording studios, producers, publicists, and more. “Presenter” includes those who produce or book festivals, house concerts, concert series, venues, camps, etc.

2019 Pricing Schedule

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great, affordable way to attend the conference and meet other people in the FAI community. We recommend you become an FAI member first, as members only have to volunteer for 16 hours during the conference (non-members must commit to 22 hours).

Examples of the types of teams that need volunteer are: registration, merch, Private Showcases, instrument check, green team, hospitality, stage crew, and more. Many volunteers have specific skills that they can lend to specific teams, but don’t fret if you’re unsure where you’d be a good fit! A good attitude and willingness to help out is all we need.

OFFICIAL SHOWCASESArtist tipsThere are two types of showcases at the conference: Official Showcases and Private Showcases. There are 180 juried Official Showcases from 4pm-8:30pm, Wednesday through Saturday, in the ballrooms of the hotel. Artists must submit an application to be considered for a showcase (applications for 2019 are now closed).While Official Showcases are the highest profile performance opportunity at the conference, there are countless other ways to connect, be heard, and be seen. The daytime panels, accelerator, mentoring, and network events provide unparalleled access to a global industry. Come with a game plan and introduce yourself!

Private Showcases

Artist tipsPrivate Showcases happen in individual rooms on three floors of the hotel. Each room is contracted out to a Private Showcase Presenter who in turn books and schedules performances of registered conference attendees. Anyone can apply to present a Private Showcase room. Examples of room hosts are labels, music export offices, agents, artists, labels, etc. This is where the magic happens! These performances go from 10:30pm-3am. Artists can book multiple showcases, and it can be a delicate balancing act! While showcasing can be a highlight of the conference, make sure to get adequate sleep so that you don’t miss the important panels and networking sessions during the day.

To book a Private Showcase, visit our site for the list of Private Showcase Presenters. Many (although not all) presenters list their contact information, so you can email them directly to ask for a slot. If their contact info isn’t listed (some choose not to post it), you’re still free to use your personal connections or other means to reach out. FAI’s website also hosts a public forum with Private Showcase opportunities.

FAI hosts two First-Timer Private Showcases. Make sure to apply!

ResourcesThere is a plethora of information available, both from FAI and from the community. While preparing for your first conference, make sure to use your resources!

First, the conference website. Here you will find all things conference-related, including the attendee list, daytime programming schedule, evening programming schedule, travel/visa info, and more.

Use the Attendee List to reach out to conference attendees in advance! This is a very valuable tool that can help you plan out who you want to meet at the conference, or who you want to invite to your showcases. However, please be mindful of spam guidelines! Only send relevant information to relevant contacts. This is also a great way to follow up with attendees after the conference.

Plan your schedule with our daytime and evening programming schedules! Highlight the panels

and sessions you want to attend, check out the showcases that are a must-see, and makesure to schedule in some time for rest!

For attendees who are coming from outside of Canada, we have important [visa information] on our website. Make sure to review this well in advance of the conference to make sure you are prepared!

Don’t forget about the conference mobile app as well! This has all of the above information, and the option to “favorite” panels and showcases to create a schedule for you.

Be sure to follow FAI on social media, and sign up for the mailing list. FAI will be sending out important conference weekly emails starting in December.

Last but not least, you’ll definitely want to sign up for the Connecting Folk program! Connecting Folk is a program to welcome and orient first-time FAI Conference attendees by matching them with a veteran FAI attendee who will act as a guide for the upcoming conference. Guides share tips, advice, and act as a resource for first-timers leading up to the conference.

Connecting Folk is a great way to network and get advice in a casual, low-key setting. Past first-timers who were a part of this program found it to be extremely valuable in preparing for the conference and meeting key contacts in the industry during and after the conference!

/folkalliance @folk_alliance @folkalliance FolkAlliance

Strategy and Planning

The most important thing to do before the conference is come with a plan. What are your goals? Are you looking for a manager? Are you in need of a publicist? A label? Are you wanting to expand to a new touring territory? Once you figure out your goals of the conference, you’ll be able to more easily plan out your schedule. Paul Barker of Barker House Concerts wrote a great guide specifically for marketing yourself and coming up with a specific action plan at the conference. It is worth your time to read it!