How to Set Up Meetings at the Conference

Attending Folk Alliance International for the first time can be a lot to navigate. That’s why we created our First Timer’s Blog Post Series that shares how you can arrive prepared, meet your goals, and make the most of your time at FAI. You can learn more about preparing for the conference with our Pre-Conference Planning blog post. Once you have an idea of your conference goals and objectives, it’s time to strategize who you’d like to meet. This might include acquaintances that you’ve already made, or it could be new individuals in specific industry roles or based in specific regions that you would like to connect with. A great strategy is to figure out who you want to meet with (and why), reach out to them in advance, and schedule a time and place to meet with them at the conference. 

Take advantage of our conference attendee list. Use this resource to search by name, region, or industry role. If you’re an artist who is looking for a manager, you might want to search the attendee list for managers attending the conference and reach out about setting up a meeting. Or, if you’re an artist looking to tour a specific region, it might be a good idea to connect with attendees who work for venues in that region.

Tip: Research the individuals and organizations of the people you are meeting with. Show up informed and well-prepared.

1. Figure out who you want to meet with and why
2. Research where their organization, role, and professional background 
3. Prepare any questions that you would like to ask them
4. Reach out to them (if their contact is available on the conference attendee list) and ask if they are open to meeting with you at the conference
   1. This email should introduce yourself, mention where you’re based, and share why you’d like to meet with them
5. If they are interested, plan a time and place to meet 
6. Meet with them during conference 
   1. Bring your questions and points of interest
7. Follow up with them after the conference 
   1. Include a reminder of who you are 
   2. Thank them for their time 
   3. Bring up any relevant information about how you might work together 

Note: DO NOT send bulk emails or copied showcase announcements. Reach out to specific individuals with personalized messages.

1. It’s a good idea to reach out a few weeks in advance. This shows professionalism and gives both you and the individuals you’d like to meet time to prepare your conference schedules. Consider setting up a specific time and place to meet. Our conferences are packed with panels, showcases, and other events. Setting up the details in advance makes the meeting more likely to occur. This year, FAI will be offering a Book Your Own Meeting space with tables and chairs set up in a quiet and professional setting where you can take meetings with up to 6 people. You can find out more about how to reserve a table by searching for Book Your Own Meeting on the conference platform. 

Networking tip: Give as much as you take. Meeting new people shouldn’t just be about what they can do for you. It’s about how we can collaborate within the ecosystem of our music industry and how we can support each other and grow together.

1. FAI also has one-on-one speed meetings taking place on April 26, May 3, May 6, and May 10. These sessions provide the opportunity for registered conference attendees to meet with industry professionals before the conference. Learn more and sign up here. These sessions are exclusively for registrants of FAI’s 2022 conference.  

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3. Need more information, check out our Pre-Conference Planning blog post if you haven’t yet. Have more questions about the conference? Check out our Insider’s Guide to the Conference webinar.
7. Happy planning!