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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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Ryan Hauck, CEO, Experience Fayetteville
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Pablo Borchi Klapp, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Sound Diplomacy Events and Education
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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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Andrew Mosker, CEO, National Music Centre
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, 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 - 4:35 PM
Music and Real Estate
Workshop: Transform Your District Into a Music Hub
This workshop will be led by music industry expert and 2025 Music Cities Award nominee from Tokyo, Kei Hirohashi. 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
4:35 PM - 5:20 PM
Music and development
Panel discussion: Music and Social Impact - Recovery Through Advocacy
In times of crisis, music transcends by offering solace, strength, and a voice for people struggling the most in our communities. This panel brings together speakers from the United States, Colombia, and Nigeriaall over the world to explore how music becomes a powerful tool for healing and social change in the face of adversity - whether it be a natural disaster, security or economic crises. Through their countries and cities experiences, our panelists will illuminate the vital role of music in navigating crises and rebuilding hope—e, locally and globally.
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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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Katie Cornell, Executive Director, ArtsAVL
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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 Riley, Founding Director, ReMuseum
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Sabina Cheng, Studio Director, RIOS
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Peter Sourbis, Project Manager, Fever
10:55 AM - 11:15 AM
Music and development
Presentation: Starting a Music Venue With Your Community
Fat Cat Jazz Club, Music Cities Awards nominees, was founded in 2018 by local musicians and built through community crowdfunding, is more than just a jazz venue, it’s a music epicenter in Ulaanbaatar’s city center. With nightly live performances, original recordings, and collaborations with institutions like GMUB and UNESCO, it’s a space where both local and international talents thrive, audiences connect, and jazz culture takes root in the Mongolian music scene.
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 Yazowsky, President, Mortimer and Mimi 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 Fans as Agents of Change: Incentivising Sustainable Practices
In this session, we will explore the crucial role that music fans play in promoting sustainability at live events. As festivals and concerts continue to grow in popularity, fans are becoming key advocates for eco-friendly practices, from reducing waste and supporting sustainable transportation to demanding greener festival infrastructures. This presentation will examine how fans are driving change by encouraging artists, promoters, and event organizers to prioritize environmental responsibility. Through real-world examples and fan-led initiatives, attendees will gain insights into how concertgoers and festival-goers can influence the future of live music by fostering sustainability in the industry.
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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
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: Housing for Musicians - Improving Living Conditions of Artists
This workshop will bring together delegates from all backgrounds to explore creative solutions for addressing the housing challenges faced by musicians. With rising costs and limited affordable housing, many artists struggle to find spaces that allow them to live and create. This workshop will highlight innovative housing models that provide musicians with affordable, stable living spaces while fostering artistic collaboration and community engagement. Participants will go away with key insights to improve living conditions of artists in their cities.
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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
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 & Erin Enderlin
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7:00PM–8:00 PM: Heavy Apps
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.