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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
17TH SEPT - CONFERENCE DAY 1
Fayetteville Town Center
9:00 AM
Registration
At Fayetteville Town Center
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Opening remarks
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Keynote speech: To Be Announced
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.
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Music and innovation
Fireside chat: AI in Music - 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.
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.
12:20 PM - 1:50 PM
Lunch hour with NPR
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.
2:35 PM - 2:55 PM
Music and Health
Presentation: The Therapeutic Power of Music Education
The Therapeutic Benefits of Music for Community Wellbeing 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.
2:55 PM - 3:15 PM
Coffee Break
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm
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.
3:35 PM - 4:35 PM
Music and Diversity
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 international experts.
4:35 PM - 5:20 PM
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.
Live Music - Alternative Venues
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 development
Panel discussion: Music Strategies and Social Value - World Perspectives
This session will explore how music organisations, policymakers, and industry leaders can design strategies that prioritise the social benefits of music. From fostering community engagement and supporting local talent to addressing social issues and enhancing cultural inclusion, this discussion will dive into how music can be a catalyst for positive social change. Panelists will share insights on how to measure and create social value in music initiatives, the role of music in promoting well-being and social cohesion, and how music strategies can better reflect and serve diverse communities.
10:55 AM - 11:15 AM
Music and Education
Presentation: To Be Announced
11:15 AM - 11:35 AM
Music and Real Estate
Presentation: Bottom Up Approaches in Music and Creative Placemaking
From the perspective of a placemaking agency, this presentation will examine how music fosters community engagement, enhances public spaces, and contributes to the social, cultural, and economic vitality of cities. By integrating music into urban planning, cities can build stronger connections between residents, celebrate local culture, and promote environmental sustainability. The session will highlight successful projects and strategies where music has played a key role in shaping public spaces that are not only sustainable but also culturally rich and inclusive, offering actionable insights for developers, city planners, and music professionals alike.
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.
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.
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM
Music and Night Time
Presentation: Music After Dark - Fostering 24/7 Music Cities
In this session, we will delve into the topic of music in the night time life with a holistic approach. Exploring how the city has developed strategies to keep its music culture alive around the clock. This presentation will examine how local venues, artists, and promoters create a dynamic, 24/7 music environment that fosters community engagement, supports emerging talent, and attracts both local and international audiences. By looking at innovative approaches to music programming, late-night events, and cross-industry collaborations, attendees will gain insights into how Barcelona has cultivated a thriving, sustainable music ecosystem that is night-time friendly.
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.
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM
Handover
Closing Remarks and Music Cities Convention 2026 Handover
3:20 PM - 5:40 PM
Free Break
5:40 PM - 7:00 PM
Closing Ceremony
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Open Industry Meetup with Gar-hole Records Showcase
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.