About the Conference

The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Indigenous, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, and Spoken Word).

An International Conference

The annual February conference (now in its 30th year) draws 2,800 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2018 conference represented 35 countries including Armenia, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, India, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Wales, Zimbabwe.

Learn more about our 2018 conference here.

Future Conferences

About Folk Alliance International

Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 to connect folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and genre. The leading international voice for folk music, FAI is a 30-year-old arts nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

The organization’s expanded global network now includes more than 3,000 members, a worldwide community of cultural sector entrepreneurs and leaders that includes artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, diplomats, and more.

FAI’s mission is to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community – traditional and contemporary, amateur, and professional – through education, advocacy, and performance.

We fulfill our mission through Education, Networking, and Advocacy as well as Field, Professional, and Consumer Development. Diversity and inclusion are core values of FAI.