Sound Diplomacy to Host First U.S. Music Cities Forum in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 30) – Sound Diplomacy and Indy Chamber have announced Indianapolis will host the first U.S. Music Cities Forum, a one-day event focused on developing a music strategy for Indianapolis, on Tuesday, May 8 at HI-FI (1043 Virginia Ave. #4) in historic Fountain Square. Music Cities Forum: Indianapolis is a catalyst to establishing an actionable music strategy for Indianapolis.

Through panel discussions and collaborative round tables, attendees and guest speakers will explore the question “What makes a music city?” Music Cities Forum will further provide an opportunity for creatives and stakeholders to engage in proactive discussions focused on music’s impact on tourism, economic development and policy.

“Music impacts a city, and specifically bridges art and entrepreneurship, like few things in life,” said Indy Chamber President and CEO Michael Huber. “As Indianapolis continues to build momentum in a 21st Century economy, it needs a talented, creative workforce to support future growth. Music and the creative class help us build a more diverse and inclusive community that challenges convention and encourages innovation. Indy’s rich musical roots, from jazz legend Freddie Hubbard to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, are a reminder of how Indy’s talented individuals can reach audiences across the world by simply sharing their passion.”

Attendees and guest speakers will collaborate on ideas and learn from the best practices and success stories of Denver, Austin, Memphis and Atlanta. To date, 22 guest speakers have been been confirmed and include a strategic geographical sampling from across the United States and England. These industry experts have been selected to provide insight based on their experiences across multiple sectors of the music industry and local government. Confirmed panelists include:

Tammy Hurt, Georgia Music Partners (Atlanta, GA)
Alex Mann, Music Venue Trust (London, UK)
Chris Gahl, Visit Indy (Indianapolis)
Lisa Gedgaudas, City and County of Denver (Denver, CO)
Thomas Cook, City of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Steve Sternschein, Prism /Red River Merchants Assoc. (Austin, TX)
Katie Carlson, Walk The Moon (Indianapolis)
Sean Starowitz, City of Bloomington (Bloomington, IN)
Sarah Myer, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (Indianapolis)
Jim Rawlinson, Develop Indy (Indianapolis)
Jeb Banner - Boardable (Indianapolis)
Karl Hofsetter - Musical Family Tree (Indianapolis)
Shain Shapiro, PhD - Sound Diplomacy (London, UK)
Oreo Jones - Chreece Festival/Artists (Indianapolis)
Jennie DeVoe - Artist (Indianapolis)
Elizabeth Cawein - Memphis Music Export (Memphis, TN)
Linda Broadfoot - Indy Parks (Indianapolis, IN)
Robert S. Meitus - Meitus Gelbert Rose (Indianapolis, IN)

“We’ve been impressed with the direction that Indianapolis is heading since we became aware of the work of MOKB Presents, Indy Chamber and others. We’re thrilled to bring our Music Cities Forum to Indianapolis to jumpstart the discussion that we hope will lead to the city creation global leading music policies to support artists, businesses and everyone in Indianapolis“ adds Shain Shapiro, CEO of London-based Sound Diplomacy.

For a complete list of confirmed speakers, visit the Music Cities Official Website. Tickets are on sale now. Space is limited with only 100 registrations available to the public. Registration is $60 in advance and $75 day of the event. Tickets can be purchased via ticketfly.com and the HI-FI website hifiindy.com. Conference registration includes:

• Panel discussions, presentations and roundtable discussions

• Breakfast, lunch and refreshments

• Music Cities Reception and Live Performances

The official Music Cities Forum Reception and Live Performances will take place at 7 p.m. at HI-FI following the conference, featuring performances by The Wldlfe, Dream Chief, Jennie DeVoe and more to be announced. Music Cities Forum attendees receive free admission and a limited amount of tickets are available for public purchase via ticketfly.com and the HI-FI website hifiindy.com. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of the show.

100% of net proceeds from Music Cities Forum will benefit Musical Family Tree, a local nonprofit with the mission of spreading Indiana music, serving Indiana’s music communities and supporting artists.

Music Cities Forum: Indianapolis is made possible with generous support from community sponsors and event partners including: Central Indiana Community Foundation, Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Live Nation, HI-FI, Deylen Realty, Joyful Noise Recordings, Eskenazi Health, Visit Indy, Flaherty and Collins, Meitus Gelbert Rose, Tinker Coffee Co., MOKB Presents, Bohlsen Group, Fourth Sunday Music Co., Do317 Media. A limited amount of community sponsorships and event partnerships are still available.

Conference Details:
Music Cities Forum: Tuesday, May 8
HI-FI – Tickets
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets: $60 advance, $75 day of event

Reception & Live Performance Details:
Reception and Live Performances: Tuesday, May 8
HI-FI – Tickets
7 to 11:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 advance, $15 day of show

About Sound Diplomacy
Sound Diplomacy is the leading global advisor on increasing the value of music and nighttime culture in cities, places and developments. Sound Diplomacy works all over the world, with cities, tourism boards, brands, major music events, property developers and destination marketers. Sound Diplomacy projects combined with Music Cities Events has allowed the development of the best contact of music industry professionals, tourism professionals and city government all over the world. Sound Diplomacy is the leader of the Music Cities movement, which sees culture built into the urban environment through policy. For more information visit www.sounddiplomacy.com or follow Sound Diplomacy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @SoundDiplomacy.

About Music Cities Events
Music Cities Events is a global series of conferences focused on all aspects of music and cities e.g. how music informs, impacts, and influences policy, planning, community development, building codes, regeneration, tourism and branding, quality of life, and international development. There have been organized events in Europe and North America, and 2017 will see events in North America, Europe, South America, and Australia. Core events are: Music Cities Convention, Sound Development, and Music Tourism Convention, with the recent expansion to include Music Cities Convention with two smaller side events, Music Cities Hackathon and Music Cities Forum. For more information visit www.musiccitiesevents.com or follow Music Cities Events on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @MusicCitiesSD.

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For more information about Music Cities Forum: Indianapolis, visit https://www.musiccitiesforum.com/.

For event details, high res images, additional quotes or sponsorship contact:
Josh Baker, MOKB Presents | HI-FI | Do317
[email protected]
317-602-6641

For media inquiries, contact:
Andy Wilson, Bohlsen Group
[email protected]