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EVENT SCHEDULE
Discover the 2025 Fayetteville-Arkansas Music Cities Convention schedule and explore how music enhances places and communities and drives economic growth. Engage in insightful discussions, network with peers, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of music cities worldwide.
16TH SEPT - MUSIC CITIES AWARDS
Fayetteville Public Library
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Registration
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Music Cities Awards Ceremony
Live music by Cliff and Susan
17TH SEPT - CONFERENCE DAY 1
Fayetteville Town Center
9:00 AM
Registration
At Fayetteville Town Center
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Opening remarks
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Molly Rawn, Mayor, City of Fayetteville
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Sarah King, VP of Marketing & Communications, Experience Fayetteville
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Azucena Micó, Global Head of Strategy, Sound Diplomacy
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MC - Katy Henriksen, cultural journalist
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Music and Development
Panel discussion: USA Music Cities Nation - 10 Years of Advocating for Music
This panel will explore the diverse music ecosystems across various regions in the United States, each contributing a unique sound to the nation’s sonic landscape. From the punk and indie scenes, to Indigenous musical traditions and emerging contemporary artists, and vibrant fusion of folk, Americana, and experimental music, our speakers will examine how culture, history, and community have shaped these distinct musical identities.
In this session, delegates will gain a deeper understanding of the impact these regions have had on both past and contemporary musical trends, while celebrating local talent that continues to drive their music sectors forward.
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Moderator: Azucena Mico, Global Head of Projects and Research, Sound Diplomacy
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Codie Gopher, Board Member, Huntsville Music Office
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Reid Wick, Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement, Recording Academy
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Kelsea McCrary, Chief Economic & Cultural Development Officer, City of Monroe
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Anita Dixon-Brown, Director, Creative Kansas City
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Music and Development
Presentation: From Monotowns to Music Cities
The session From Monotowns to Music Cities examines the transformative power of music in revitalizing urban communities. It explores how cities traditionally reliant on a single industry (monotowns) are embracing music and the arts as catalysts for cultural and economic renewal. By looking at real-world examples, this session highlights how music can diversify local economies, attract tourism, promote community identity, and foster innovation. Participants will also gain an understanding of how cities can integrate music into urban planning and development.
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Jeff Hessel, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Destination Development, Tourism Calgary
11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
All themes
Networking Sessions: Meet and Mingle!
In this networking session, you will have the opportunity to meet with 30 selected high-level delegates. Selected delegates will have dedicated tables at the networking corner with 10 meeting slots. For attendees participating in this session, collect a stamp on your sheet every time you finish networking at a table, and redeem 6+ stamps towards a reward at the coffee break.
This networking session aims to engage all delegates with high-profile companies, organisations, and projects, and take advantage of a dedicated space for networking and direct peer-to-peer learning.
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Conducted by: Orson Weems, Executive Director, Music Education Initiative
12:20 PM - 1:50 PM
Lunch hour with NPR - KUAF 91.3 Public Radio
- Performance: Big Piph
1:50 PM - 2:35 PM
Music and Development
Panel - North West Arkansas Music Ecosystem - Where are we now?
In April 2018, Sound Diplomacy started with the assessment of the Northwest Arkansas music ecosystem in order to create an encompassing music strategy for the region. For a music ecosystem to be healthy and thrive, all the agents must be resourced, connected and supported by the institutions. The focus of this assessment was on the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale and the project was carried out in several phases, including two visits to Northwest Arkansas. In total, close to 600 stakeholders of the music ecosystem were engaged throughout the process, including musicians, venue owners, music teachers, property developers and city officials.
In this panel discussion, we will celebrate the 5-year anniversary from this music strategy, but also discuss the impact of this strategy on Northwest Arkansas and specifically in Fayetteville, 5 years ago, but also now.
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Preston Poindexter, Music Ecosystems Manager, CACHE
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Peter B. Lane, President, Walton Arts Center
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Brian Crowne, Co-Owner, George’s Majestic Lounge
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Anthony Ball, Program Director, Music Moves Arkansas
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Kinya Christian, Arts & Culture Coordinator, City of Rogers
Presented by Destination Rogers
2:35 PM - 2:55 PM
Music and innovation
Presentation: Artificial Intelligence and Innovation - Ethical Practices for Music Cities
This session will explore how music technology can serve as a powerful tool for developing and strengthening local music ecosystems. By examining the role of digital platforms, and innovative creator tools, the session will highlight how technology empowers musicians and other music professionals, enhances collaboration, and amplifies the music sector globally.
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Ken Lythgoe, Head of Business and Corporate Development, DAACI
2:55 PM - 3:15 PM
Coffee Break - Miletus Callahan-Barile with Odeon Collective
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm
Music and Health
Presentation: The Therapeutic Power of Music Education
This session explores how music can positively impact mental health, foster social connections, and enhance emotional resilience within communities. Participants will gain insight into the healing power of music and its potential to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of a community through the experience of the famous School of Rock.
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Stacey Ryan, President, School of Rock
3:35 PM - 4:05 PM
Music and Real Estate
Presentation: Transform Your District Into a Music Hub
This workshop will be led by music industry experts and 2025 Music Cities Award nominees from Tokyo, Jazzy Business Consulting. Learn how to support and recognise your existing local music scene, engage your community, and drive cultural and economic growth by transforming your district into a dynamic music hub—drawing insights from one of the world’s most influential music cities.
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Shoji Masayori, CEO, Jazzy Business Consulting
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Misaki Tomizawa, Manager, FinCity
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Kei Hirohashi, Consultant, Jazzy Business Consulting
4:05 PM - 4:35 PM
Music and development
Fireside Chat: Music in Times of Crisis - Recovery Through Advocacy
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Katie Cornell, Executive Director, ArtsAVL
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Dodie Stephens, Explore Asheville, VP Marketing
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Moderator: Azucena Mico, Head of Strategy, Sound Diplomacy
4:35 PM - 5:20 PM
Music and development
Panel discussion: Music and Social Impact - Perspectives from Around the World
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring how music influences social change across borders. Our panelists will share insights on how artists and communities in the U.S. and around the world use music to raise awareness, challenge injustice, and inspire collective action. Through diverse perspectives and projects, we’ll examine music’s power to shape identities, foster solidarity, and drive meaningful social transformation.
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Moderator: Joanna Bell, Director, Fayetteville Arts and Culture
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Kath Wynne-Hague, Head of Culture, Place and City Centre, City of Hull
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Alan Maia, Founder, Agencia do Bem
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Daryl Raven, CEO, Queensland Music Festival
5:20 PM - 5:25 PM
Closing remarks
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Katy Henriksen, cultural journalist
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Arkansas Live Music and Screening @BC’s Blues Shack
Presented by The Music Education Initiative and Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral & Visual History
18TH SEPT - CONFERENCE DAY 2
Fayetteville Town Center
9:00 AM
Registration
10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Welcoming Remarks
10:10 AM - 10:55 AM
Music and Technology
Panel discussion - Sound and Vision: Mixing Music, Visual Arts and Technology to Create New Experiences
Visual arts are playing an increasingly vital role in both live music and immersive entertainment, from The Sphere in Las Vegas to ABBA Voyage in London. This panel brings together industry leaders to explore how music, visual arts, and cutting-edge technology are merging to craft new, unforgettable experiences — reshaping the future of culture, live performances and audience engagement.
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Moderator: Noa Gimelli, Board Member, Fund for Greater Lexington
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Stephen Reily, Founding Director, Remuseum
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Sabina Cheng, Studio Director, RIOS
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Peter Sourbis, Team Leader, Fever
10:55 AM - 11:15 AM
Music and development
Presentation: Music Festivals, Tradition and Sustainable Development in Central Asia
This session highlights Kolfest’s work in promoting cultural heritage and sustainable development across Central Asia. We will explore how Kolfest leverages festivals and traditional practices to foster community engagement, support local artisans, encourage eco-friendly tourism, and create opportunities for cultural exchange. By showcasing successful initiatives and lessons learned, the session demonstrates how Kolfest connects tradition with innovation to build a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region.
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Chingiz Batyrbekov, Co-Founder, Kolfest
11:15 AM - 11:35 AM
Music and Real Estate
Presentation: Setting the Stage for Creative Placemaking
This session will explore how municipalities can adapt and overhaul their permitting and regulatory landscapes to lower the barriers for local creatives to activate the public realm - whether through music and performance, or the visual arts. Although many cities are increasingly leaning on cultural groups and the creative community to promote vibrancy in our public realm, the reality is that our regulatory and permitting landscape and public space management frameworks have not adapted as quickly to support the growth of creative placemaking. The session will highlight examples from across the US where permits and licenses for creative placemaking are easy to navigate while avoiding the placement of burden on diverse communities.
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Nur Atiqa Asri, Principal, Think Place Agency
11:35 AM - 12:00 PM
Music and Development
Fireside chat: The Power of Free Outdoor Concerts in Creating Vibrant Music Cities
Discover how free, outdoor concerts are transforming public spaces into thriving community hubs. This presentation from the Levitt Foundation explores the profound social, cultural, and economic impacts of accessible live music, showcasing how inclusive, high-quality performances in open-air settings help build stronger, more vibrant, and equitable music cities across America.
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Moderator: Pablo Borchi, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Sound Diplomacy Events and Education
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Sharon Yazowski, President & CEO, Levitt Foundation
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch Hour
Fireside chat - Arkansas Music Industry Update
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
Music and Environmentalism
Presentation - Music, Communities and Science for Climate Change
In this presentation, In Place of War’s EarthSonic project will share how, through their initiative, music has been a powerful bridge between climate science and community action. Drawing on collaborations with artists, scientists, and grassroots leaders around the world, EarthSonic demonstrates how rhythm, melody, and storytelling can translate complex environmental data into messages that resonate emotionally and inspire collective change. In this session, we will discuss how creativity can not only raise awareness but also mobilise communities in the fight against the climate crisis.
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Ruth Daniel, CEO, In Place of War
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM
Music and Night Time
Cali After Dark - Nightlife and Inclusivity Practices
Cali After Dark: Nightlife and Inclusivity will delve into the vibrant and ever-evolving music scene of Cali exploring how a local organization has developed strategies to keep its music culture not only alive, but has managed to protect and promote people from underserved communities.
Monte Olimpa is a community-led program that supports women and LGBTQ+ individuals in Cali’s music and nightlife scenes. It offers artistic training, mental health support, and access to professional DJ and sound equipment for vinyl collectors, DJs, and music lovers. Through workshops, private practice sessions, live performances, and cultural advocacy, it promotes visibility, safety, and collective care.
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Alejandra Gómez Quintero, Director, BICHE Musical
2:10 PM - 3:10 PM
Music and Real Estate
Workshop: Accessibility Chain in Music: Accessibility and Inclusion in Live Music Events
This workshop will focus on key guidelines and learnings for creating accessible and inclusive policies within live events. You will gain insights into designing environments and experiences that ensure people of all abilities can participate and engage fully. The session will cover practical strategies for addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility, as well as the importance of inclusive communication practices and technology. Participants will learn about general ethical considerations surrounding accessibility through the expertise of Music for All (Spain).
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Isabel Diez Monedero, Accessibility Consultant, Fundacion Music For All
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM
Handover
Closing Remarks and Music Cities Convention 2026 Handover
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Pablo Borchi Klapp, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Sound Diplomacy Events and Education
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Tina Archer-Cope, VP Sales, Experience Fayetteville
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Councillor Rob Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, Hull City Council
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Jeff Hessel, Senior VP Marketing, Tourism Calgary
3:20 PM - 5:40 PM
Free Break
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Closing Reception @Georges Majestic Lounge
Presented by Historic Dyess, the Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash
Live music by:
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5:40PM–6:40 PM: Dylan Earl
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7:00PM–8:00 PM: Erin Enderlin
The Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash is proud to present two outstanding Arkansas musicians, Dylan Earl and Erin Enderlin, both of whom have been deeply inspired by Johnny Cash’s legacy. They will be performing during the closing reception of the Music Cities Convention, held at the iconic George’s Majestic Lounge on Thursday, September 18th, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Naturally, Arkansas! Live Music @Georges Majestic Lounge
Presented by Explore Pine Bluff
Explore Pine Bluff is proud to present the official closing event of the Music Cities Convention—Naturally, Arkansas!—hosted by The Music Education Initiative. This special celebration will feature an incredible lineup of Arkansas talent, including Paige Johnsey, March to August, Michael Hosier, Rev. Greg Spradlin, Baang, and Pura Coco.
HOST PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Interested in sponsoring the Fayetteville Arkansas Music Cities Convention? Contact Pablo at pablo@sounddiplomacy.com to learn more about our innovative sponsorship opportunities.
Do you have any other questions regarding the Fayetteville Arkansas Music Cities Convention? Contact Cristina at cristina@sounddiplomacy.com to learn everything related to the event's programme and activities.