Get Involved
Get Involved
Get Involved
ALBERTA MUSIC CITIES CONVENTION 2026 FAQs
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Who is Music Cities Convention for?
Music Cities Convention is designed for professionals working at the intersection of music, culture, policy and city development, and brings together the people shaping how music operates within cities.
Attendees typically include:
Public Leadership & Policy:
Local, regional, and national governments and decision-makers across culture, economic development, tourism, planning, licensing, and export agencies.
The Music Industry:
Professional musicians, orchestras, live and recorded music professionals, managers, instrument makers, and streaming services.
Civic Advocacy:
Music offices, nonprofit advocates, and community-led cultural organizations.
Education & Talent Development:
The music education community, conservatories, universities, and vocational training providers.
Built Environment & Investment:
Developers, real estate firms, private investors, and placemaking entities.
Urban Design & Districts:
City planners, urbanists, downtown development agencies, and business improvement districts (BIDs).
Hospitality & Destination:
Tourism bodies, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), and hoteliers.
Wellness & Social Impact:
Health and social care providers, music therapists, and social prescribers.
Innovation & Technology:
Technology and AI developers, software entrepreneurs, and digital rights innovators.
Global Development:
nternational NGOs and development agencies focused on urban sustainability and cultural rights.
Nightlife & Safety:
Night Mayors, nighttime economy advisors, emergency services, and urban safety experts.
Legal & Intellectual Property:
Entertainment lawyers, royalty collection societies, and copyright specialists.
Can my organisation participate as a speaker or partner?
Speaking and partnership opportunities are curated to align with the programme themes.
If your organisation is interested in participating, please contact:
Can I transfer my ticket to a colleague?
If you need to transfer your ticket to a colleague, please contact the Sound Diplomacy team and we will review requests on a case-by-case basis.
EVENT DETAILS
What does a Music Cities Convention pass include?
A delegate pass includes access to the full Music Cities Convention programme, including:
-
Two days of conference programming
-
Keynotes, panel discussions and presentations
-
Networking sessions and reception
Where and when will the event take place?
Music Cities Convention Alberta 2026 will take place 30 September - 1 October in Calgary Alberta. There will be a closed invite-only Music Cities event on the 29 September.
The event will take place in the National Music Centre
Address: 850 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1R1, Canada.
Will sessions be livestreamed or recorded?
No. Music Cities Convention is designed primarily as an in-person event.
Selected insights and highlights may be shared after the event, but sessions will not be livestreamed.
TRAVEL & PRACTICAL INFORMATION
How do I travel to Hull?
Calgary is well connected across Alberta and beyond.
Calgary is located:
-
3 hours from Edmonton by road
-
1.5 hours from Banff
-
1.5 hours from Vancouver by air
Our Delegate Travel Guide is coming soon, with everything you'll need to plan your trip:
-
Getting to Calgary from major Canadian and international cities
-
Recommended hotels
-
Transport within the city
-
Convention venues and locations
-
Local restaurants, venues and cultural spaces
What is the dress code?
Business casual is recommended for the conference programme, networking events and receptions.
What should I bring to the event?
We recommend bringing:
-
A notebook or device for taking notes
-
Business cards or digital contact-sharing tools
-
Comfortable shoes for moving between locations
-
A reusable water bottle
Is there a ticket cancellation policy?
Ticket cancellation policies are outlined during the booking process. If you need to discuss changes to your booking, please contact the Music Cities Convention team.
Are hotel recommendations available?
Yes. A selection of recommended hotels and accommodation options will be included in the Delegate Travel Guide, which also contains information on transport and conference venues.
You will be able to book preferential rates via them.
Who should I contact for additional questions?
For general enquiries about Music Cities Convention Alberta 2026, please contact info@sounddiplomacy.com
ADDITIONAL FAQS
I’ve never attended a Music Cities Convention before. Is it suitable for first-time delegates?
Yes. Many delegates attend Music Cities Convention for the first time each year. The event encourages open discussion and knowledge sharing, creating a welcoming environment for professionals looking to explore music policy, cultural infrastructure and urban development.
Delegates come from a wide range of sectors, offering opportunities to exchange perspectives and build new collaborations.
Will there be networking opportunities?
Yes. Music Cities Convention is designed to encourage meaningful connections between delegates.
Alongside the conference programme, the event includes:
-
Networking sessions
-
Receptions and social gatherings
-
Informal discussions between sessions
These moments create space for delegates to meet peers, exchange ideas and explore future collaborations.
What makes Music Cities Convention different from other music conferences?
Music Cities Convention focuses specifically on the relationship between music and cities.
Rather than focusing solely on the commercial music industry, the Convention explores how music contributes to:
-
Urban planning
-
Economic development
-
Cultural policy
-
Tourism and destination strategy
-
Community wellbeing
This makes it a unique forum for professionals shaping the long-term future of music ecosystems.
Are group tickets or organisational bookings available?
If you are planning to attend as part of a team or organisation, please contact the Sound Diplomacy team to discuss group bookings: info@sounddiplomacy.com
What will I take away from the Convention?
Delegates leave Music Cities Convention with practical ideas, international case studies and new professional connections.
The programme focuses on real-world challenges facing music ecosystems and explores how cities are responding through policy, partnerships and investment.
Many past delegates have gone on to launch new initiatives, policies and collaborations in their own cities after attending.
HOST PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
SPONSORS
GOLD:
SILVER:
BRONZE:
PARTNERSHIPS
Do you have any other questions regarding the Alberta Music Cities Convention, or want to sponsor? Contact info@sounddiplomacy.com to learn everything related to the event's programme and activities.