Music Cities Convention Heads to North America with First Speaker Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download high-resolution images and logos
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 23 June 2026 — Music Cities Convention, the world's leading gathering at the intersection of music, cities and sustainable development, will arrive in North America this autumn for its Alberta edition, taking place 29 September – 1 October 2026 at the National Music Centre in Calgary.
Following a hugely successful UK edition in Hull this June, the Alberta convention will bring together 300+ policymakers, industry leaders and city builders for two days of open conference, preceded by a private, invite-only session for Canadian music cities on Tuesday 29 September. This opening day falls on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which carries added significance this year given the programme's focus on Indigenous music economies.
The 2026 Alberta programme centres on workforce development, and how cities build, retain and invest in the music professionals and creative enterprises that power local economies. Through panels, fireside chats, hackathons, presentations and collective thinking sessions, delegates will explore the talent pipeline, job creation, education and training, business attraction and retention, Indigenous music economies, music tourism, health and wellbeing, and the future of music policy across AI, climate action and land use.
Calgary is Canada's fastest-growing city and home to the National Music Centre, a vibrant music ecosystem spanning festivals, venues, artists, producers and some of Canada's most iconic music hall of famers. The convention arrives as Alberta marks a decade of music advocacy, a journey that has positioned the province as an emerging leader in the global music cities movement.
INITIAL SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Music Cities Convention Alberta 2026 today announces its first cohort of confirmed speakers. The announcement follows National Indigenous Peoples Day, a fitting moment for a convention that places Indigenous voices and music economies at its heart. The lineup brings together leaders from across music policy, economic development, workforce strategy, and the live music sector.
Joy Allen — Chair, Music Therapy & Director, Music and Health Institute, Berklee College of Music, USA
Joy Allen, PhD, is a leading voice in the global music and health movement. At Berklee College of Music, she works across sectors to harness music's power to improve health, strengthen social connections and build more resilient communities, translating research into practical solutions for today's public health challenges.
Elizabeth Cawein — Founder & Executive Director, Music Export Memphis, USA
Elizabeth founded Music Export Memphis, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit city export office for music. Her work positions working musicians as cultural assets, and her current research explores the interplay between authenticity and power in legacy music cities. She serves on the board of Folk Alliance International and as a chapter Governor for the Recording Academy. Her TED Talk on music cities has 1.4 million views.
David McLeod — CEO, Native Communications Inc. & NMC Indigenous Program Advisory Committee Co-chair, Canada
David McLeod leads NCI-FM, a provincial radio network throughout Manitoba, and is Executive Producer of the Indigenous Music Countdown — Canada's longest-running Indigenous music chart, broadcast nationally on SiriusXM and across six Canadian stations. He is co-curator of the Speak Up! Exhibition at the National Music Centre and played a pivotal role in establishing Indigenous music playlists at both SiriusXM and Stingray Music. David is a member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation), located in Treaty 4 territory, Manitoba.
Corey Poole — Music Sector Development Coordinator, City of Mississauga, Canada
Corey Poole is leading the City of Mississauga's award-winning efforts to grow its music sector. Recent successes include developing the most music-friendly noise by-law in Canada, making Mississauga's live music grant permanent, and developing the next wave of local concert presenters through training and free access to City-owned venues.
Daryl Raven — CEO, Queensland Music Festival & Qld Music Trails, Australia
Recognised as one of the most innovative leaders in music tourism and cultural destination development, Daryl leads work that is redefining how music can deliver economic growth alongside meaningful cultural and social impact. Under his leadership, Qld Music Trails has achieved global recognition — winning the Music Cities Award for best music tourism initiative in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Claire Rice — Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois, USA
Claire Rice leads statewide efforts to advance arts-supportive policy, funding and public engagement at Arts Alliance Illinois. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Creative States Coalition, working with partners nationwide to strengthen arts advocacy. Previously, she led Harvard's Sustain Arts initiative and held roles at the University Musical Society and Accenture.
Steve Sleswick — Managing Director, The Tivoli Group, Australia
Steve Sleswick is a Brisbane-based live music operator, promoter and cultural entrepreneur. He co-owns The Tivoli — an iconic, award-winning live music institution — and the state heritage-listed Princess Theatre, together hosting 360 events and 250,000 patrons a year. He is leading a major mixed-use development anchored by The Tivoli, positioning live music as the cultural heart of Olympic-era urban renewal.
Reid Wick — Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement, Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, USA
Reid Wick oversees the Recording Academy's regional public policy and advocacy initiatives across the United States. He serves on the boards of the Association of Music Offices, Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, and Louisiana Music Partners, and performs regularly in New Orleans with Bucktown All-Stars.
Further speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
TICKETS & INFORMATION
musiccitiesevents.com/alberta
Buy tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/musiccitiesevents/1961861
This convention is made possible with the support of our sponsors.
Host partner: West Anthem
Supporting partners: National Music Centre and Alberta Music
Sponsors: Calgary Arts Development, City of Calgary, Government of Alberta, The Scotlyn Foundation
Download high-resolution images and logos
— ENDS —
Media Contact
Hattie Wynter
Marketing and Communications
hattie@sounddiplomacy.com
Download high-resolution images and logos
For press accreditation, please contact hattie@sounddiplomacy.com
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alberta Music Cities Convention is located on the traditional lands of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.
Sound Diplomacy and the National Music Centre are committed to honouring the sovereignty and traditional territories of the First Peoples and acknowledging the treaties that have shaped this land. Guided by this commitment, NMC is dedicated to forging creative bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, recognizing and celebrating Indigenous voices from all regions of Canada, and inspiring positive change.
About Music Cities Convention
The Music Cities Convention is the global stage for city leaders, decision-makers and music industry innovators shaping how music drives sustainable development, urban planning, economic growth and positive local impact.
Since 2015, the Music Cities Convention has become the global space for sharing, defining and accelerating how music transforms urban life and creates better cities. Bringing together experts, policymakers and advocates, it is the premier forum to network and deliver solutions at the intersection of music and city planning, economic development, sustainability, community engagement, education, and real estate. This is the world’s most relevant event where leaders discover the power of music to improve the places we share.
About Sound Diplomacy
Sound Diplomacy is a global consultancy specialising in music, culture and the creative economy. Advising more than 150 clients across over 30 countries, Sound Diplomacy uses research, data and strategy to help cities and organisations unlock the economic and social value of culture.