The Folk Music Ontario Conference is Canada’s largest annual conference devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community. The conference offers showcasing, professional development, and networking opportunities for artists and music industry professionals in Canada and the international Folk community, with customized programming for folks at any stage of their career, from emerging to export-ready.
The 2022 conference will take place in-person from October 13-16th, and hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in London, Ontario.
COVID-19 SAFETY
We encourage all attendees to self-test before traveling to the conference, and bring a test kit to the conference to test while you are here. If you do not have access to tests, there are free testing kits available at participating pharmacies. For a list of pharmacies near the conference hotel. click here.
All participants are welcome to wear masks at any event, and we have intentionally moved our events into larger venues to allow for social distancing, and encourage folks to take the space that makes them feel comfortable.
Please ask someone what level of greeting they are comfortable with before shaking hands, hugging, or kissing.
This is your chance to perform for Folk Music industry from across Canada and around the world, from the Festival Directors who program Folk's biggest stages, to House Concert Hosts who program concerts in their living rooms, and every type of live venue in-between! We also host all facets of the industry including Folk DJ's, Managers, Agents, Labels, Performers' Rights Organizations, Funders, Music Supervisors, and more. With our new model of showcase, you have maximum opportunity for visibility and discovery during your time to shine! Click here for more information and showcase application.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Conference is a great opportunity to learn from industry leaders and share best practices with your peers. All Conference attendees will have access to panels, workshops, and round-table discussions. Panels are an opportunity to hear industry leaders weigh in on a topic, interact with one-another in a moderated discussion, and field questions from the audience. Workshops provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about a specialized topic with an industry mentor. Round-table discussions are for peer groups to connect with one another in a facilitated discussion about their experiences in the industry. Check back as more information about our PD schedule is released as we approach the conference.
NETWORKING
Folk Music Ontario is the largest gathering of Folk Music professionals in Canada. It's an opportunity for all facets of the industry to celebrate the work we do and the music we love. During the conference there are many opportunities to network, from the more structured One-On-One Meetings (aka. B2B meeting, Lightning Talks) to the relaxed atmosphere of Sponsored Receptions, there are opportunities to connect with other delegates at every turn. This year we are centring the conference around the DoubleTree ballroom to create a thriving hub of activity morning, noon, and late into the night. The ballroom will simultaneously host our Showcases, Trade Show Booths, and more, and will be the best spot for spontaneous interaction throughout the conference.
