Memphis chosen as site for Music Cities Convention

Memphis has been confirmed as one of the sites for 2017’s Music Cities Convention.

The conference, set for Oct. 26, is staged by Sound Diplomacy, a global music cities advisory agency. Sound Diplomacy is partnering up with local organization Music Export Memphis and primary sponsors the Memphis Music Initiative and Soulsville Foundation to bring the convention — now in its third year — to the Bluff City.

According to a statement announcing the event, the Music Cities Convention “brings together cities from around the world to showcase solutions and tactics taken in cities that use the music industry — and all its variants — to improve city life. This is presented in a number of short ‘TED’ style presentations, along with collaborative panels and intensive networking.”

Memphis will be the second of two conventions held in 2017. The first, set for April, will take place in Berlin. Each event will have a theme or focus. In Memphis the convention is being billed as “I’ll Take You There: Music, Equity and Access in Cities.”

The 2016 Music Cities Convention in Brighton, England, drew 190 visitors from 78 cities and 23 countries.

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In a statement, Shain Shapiro, CEO of Sound Diplomacy, said choosing Memphis as a site was a “natural."

“Memphis is one of the world's most interesting music cities. American music history is framed on a few places and spaces, and many of those are in or around Memphis,” said Shapiro. “Terrific heritage, amazing alternative scene, active industry and a willingness to facilitate a global discussion, Memphis makes sense. We're thrilled to be bringing Music Cities Convention to town."

Memphis Music Initiative executive director Darren Isom added that his organization is excited to be a part of the event. “Particularly… as we engage in the important conversation of ‘What makes a city a music city?,’ the Memphis iteration of this conference will focus on issues related to equity, access and inclusion,” said Isom. “These concepts are core to… our work to create meaningful opportunities for minority youth to engage in quality music experiences in and outside of school. While Memphis’ musical legacy is world-renowned, our contemporary identity as a music city is a unique and powerful one that often goes unrecognized.”

The Memphis edition of the Music Cities Convention will include a full day of conference programming, plus a second day of local engagement, likely to include tours of music sites and a formal reception — though those plans are still firming up.

Admission to the conference is $175 through Jan. 15, $195 until May 15, and $245 after. For more information or to register, go to musiccitiesconvention.com.