London will play host to the first in-person Folk Music Ontario (FMO) Conference to be held in two years.
Tourism London and Folk Music Ontario announced on Wednesday the 2022 conference will be held in the city between October 13 and 16.
“After two years of gathering our community online, we are overjoyed that Folk Music Ontario will be presenting an in-person conference this year in London, Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music," said Rosalyn Dennett, interim executive director of Folk Music Ontario. "This year is a celebration of the resilience of our industry. Get ready for four days of spectacular music, new and rekindled connections, as well as expanded opportunities for artists and presenters.”
The Folk Music Ontario Conference is the country's largest provincial networking event devoted to folk, roots, and traditional music community. It helps to grow and develop the genre across both Ontario and Canada by offering professional development, showcasing, and networking opportunities for artists and music industry professionals.
The last time the FMO held an in-person conference was in Mississauga in 2019.
Early bird registration, award applications, and official showcase applications dates for the 2022 conference are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
"Folk Music Ontario’s vision of a thriving, inclusive folk music community with a local and international impact closely aligns with London’s UNESCO City of Music plan. FMO will bring an exciting and fresh take to their traditional conference and award show this year in London," said Cory Crossman, London's music industry development officer.
London was named a UNESCO City of Music last November. It is the first city in Canada to receive the designation.
