FAI 2026
Conference Info Hub

January 21 - 25, 2026
Sheraton New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Upcoming Dates

June 6 - Official Showcase Applications Close
June 17 - Pre-Registration Sale Opens
June 18 - Conference Theme is Announced
June 18 - Programming Submissions Open
July 1 - Private Showcase Host Applications Open
July 1 - Volunteer Applications Open
July 1 - Early Bird Registration Begins
July 1 - Scholarships Open
July 25 - Programming Submissions Close
August 1 - Advance Price Registration Begins
August 1 - Official Showcase Artists are Notified
August 19 - Official Showcase Artists Announced
September 8 - Official Showcase Schedule Announced
October 23 - Programming & Panels Announced
November 1 - Artist Scholarships Close
November 1 - Regular Ticket Price Registration Begins
November 18 - IFMA Best-Of Voting Closes
December 8 - Pocket Guide Ads Due
January 1 - Final Registration Rate Begins
January 12 - Industry Scholarships Close

Conference Schedule Overview

Wed, Jan 21

Daytime

Registration Opens

Evening

International Folk Music Awards

Thu, Jan 22 - Sat, Jan 24

9:00 am - 4:30 pm ET

Keynote, Panels, Workshops, Exhibiting and Networking

6 pm - 10 pm ET

Official Showcases

10:30 pm - 3 am ET

Private Showcases

Sun, Jan 25

Evening

Closing Party

Applications & Forms

Thank you to our Funders!

Kemper Family Foundations
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Missouri Arts Cuoncil
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts