Sound diplomacy events
Music Cities Convention, Music Cities Tourism, and Sound Development,
Spotlighting & strengthening music & cultural ecosystems globally
Sound Diplomacy brings together leaders, policymakers and industry professionals from around the world to explore the power of music to transform places and communities.
Through our global programme of conventions, forums and specialist events, we create opportunities to share knowledge, spark conversations, build connections and develop solutions that drive economic, social and cultural development.
Discover our events and join the global conversation on building better places through music.
upcoming events
9 February 2027 · Los Angeles
Sound Development Los Angeles 2027
One of Sound Diplomacy’s flagship events, Sound Development is an invite-only cultural infrastructure accelerator, bringing together visionaries from music, entertainment, real estate, and government to explore how cultural infrastructure can transform cities and economies across the USA and beyond.
Nominations opening soon
A global competition recognising the best uses of music to drive economic, social, environmental and cultural development in cities and places worldwide.
Since launching in 2020, the Awards have become a global showcase of projects using music to improve cities, and a source of inspiration for advocates working to create positive change in their communities.
Music Cities Awards
Our previous events
Alberta Music Cities Convention
September/October 2026 | Calgary, Alberta
Held at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, the Alberta Music Cities Convention brought together more than 250 policymakers, industry leaders and creatives across three days to explore how music drives jobs, wellbeing, sustainability and inclusive economic growth.
Sessions covered talent pipeline development, music in public health and social prescribing, and building destination value through music tourism and cultural infrastructure. The programme set Alberta's music community alongside international case studies, giving delegates practical ideas to take back to their own cities and regions.
Thank you to our Host Partners, West Anthem and the National Music Centre; our Supporting Partners, Alberta Music and Calgary Arts Development; the Government of Alberta; our Media Partners CKUA; and our sponsors Spruce Meadows, The Scotlyn Foundation, and Walt and Irene DeBoni.
Hull Music Cities Convention
June 2026 | Hull, United Kingdom
Music Cities Convention returned to the UK in June 2026, bringing over 400 delegates from 24 countries to Kingston upon Hull. Hosted with Hull City Council, the convention spotlighted a city that has placed music at the centre of its cultural, social and economic transformation, from its year as UK City of Culture in 2017 to its ambition to become a UNESCO City of Music by 2030.
Across two days at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hull and Connexin Live, sessions covered measuring the impact of music, building resilient music ecosystems beyond capital cities, venue protection, artist housing, climate, tourism and the night-time economy. The Music Cities Awards were presented at Hull Minster, and Hull of a Night, a city-wide pop-up festival, filled grassroots venues including The Polar Bear Music Club, The Welly Club and The Adelphi Club.
Thank you to our Host Partners, Hull City Council and Legends Global, and to our Supporting Partners, including VisitBritain, Visit Hull and Hull City of Music.
our brands
Music Cities Convention
In 2015, we launched Music Cities Events, alongside the first-ever Music Cities Convention, with the aim of showcasing the transformative power of music for cities.
Since its first edition, the Music Cities Convention has grown into an industry-leading series, hosting conferences and events around the world and welcoming over 10,000 participants, connecting artists, policymakers and innovators, sparking international dialogue, learning and collaboration.
Music Cities Forum
A platform for local and regional conversations about the role of music in shaping places. Music Cities Forum connects industry professionals, policymakers and communities to exchange knowledge, address challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen local music ecosystems.
Music Cities Awards
Running since 2020, the Music Cities Awards is a global competition that recognises and celebrates the best uses of music to drive economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in cities and places worldwide.
Since its launch Music Cities Awards has become a global showcase of leading projects that are using music to improve cities. It serves as a source of inspiration for music advocates striving to create positive change in their communities.
Music Cities Tourism
Exploring the connection between music, tourism and place. Music Cities Tourism brings together destinations, tourism professionals and music industry leaders to share ideas, discover opportunities and explore how music can attract visitors, celebrate local culture and support sustainable tourism.
Sound Development
Sound Development is the global accelerator for developers, investors, cities and cultural leaders shaping how real estate can strategically invest in culture, entertainment and the creative economy to build valuable, lasting destinations.
Since relaunching in 2026, Sound Development has become the premier forum where visionaries from music, entertainment, real estate and government network and catalyse new collaborations at the intersection of cultural infrastructure, venue design, financing and urban development.
OUR IMPACT
400+
40+
Cities represented
Countries represented
6
10000+
Continents represented
Attendees
Presentations, panels & workshops
Events held
350+
85+
CONNECT WITH US
Are you interested in learning more about hosting one of our events and educational programmes, or the different ways in which we can support your projects?
Get in contact with us at info@sounddiplomacy.com