Memphis attracts international music conference

Memphis will host an international convention in 2017 that explores how music can influence city development.
 
The Memphis conference will focus on access to music education, resources and facilities while showcasing best practices for the use of music in community projects as well as their social, cultural and economic impact on cities.
 
Titled “I'll Take You There”, the Music Cities Convention will take place in Memphis on October 26. The venue has yet to be announced but will be located Downtown. Convention activities are expected to include visits to local music sites. Tickets are available for sale and range from $175 to $245.

Nonprofit Music Export Memphis is partnering with London-based Sound Diplomacy to produce the event with major support from the Memphis Music Initiative and Soulsville Foundation.
 
“Ever since I attended MCC in Washington, D.C., last fall, I’ve been working toward bringing the conference to Memphis,” said Music Export Memphis founder Elizabeth Cawein in a release.
 
“I was truly energized after that experience and particularly invigorated by my broadened understanding of what makes a Music City. With the energy in Memphis right now, I knew I wanted to bring this conversation here.”
 
Cawein worked closely with the Memphis Convention and Visitors’ Bureau to bring the conference to the city.

The first Music Cities Convention occurred in Brighton, UK in 2015. In conjunction with the Memphis conference, the MCC will convene on April 4 in Berlin around the theme of music and development in international cities.
 
In a release Shain Shapiro, CEO of Sound Diplomacy, said Memphis was natural fit for the Music Cities Convention.

“American music history is framed on a few places and spaces, and many of those are in or around Memphis. It was a natural choice for us,” he said. “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."
 
The international Music Cities convention, which is focused on music and culture-led placemaking and urban development, is just one piece of Sound Diplomacy’s programming.
The music policy consultancy firm also hosts a Sound Development conference, which is focused on policy and regulation in addition to music city policy work and a Music Tourism convention, which is focused on marketing, music heritage and visitor experience.