About FoMC
The Federation of Music Conferences (FoMC) is an international non-profit network of music conferences, showcase festivals and professional platforms.
Its members are rooted in different local and regional music ecosystems, but they face many of the same questions: how to support sustainable careers, strengthen small and independent organisations, improve skills and mobility, respond to technological change, connect local markets internationally and build better links between the music sector, public policy and investment.
FoMC connects these meeting points so that experience from different markets can be compared, shared and turned into practical cooperation.
FoMC was established in Groningen in 2022 as a non-profit Stichting (Foundation).
Mission
FoMC connects the places where music, policy, business and culture meet.
Our purpose is to strengthen the wider music ecosystem by linking local knowledge with international exchange and creating space for the people and organisations shaping the sector to work together.
This includes artists and independent professionals, SMEs and larger companies, venues and festivals, educators and researchers, technology organisations, cities and regions, public institutions, networks, funders and private partners.
The aim is not only to strengthen individual events or organisations, but to contribute to healthier and more resilient music ecosystems: with better career pathways, stronger local infrastructure, greater international access, relevant skills, responsible innovation and more informed public policy.
Sector & Dialogue
Music ecosystems are made up of many connected actors, but they often work in separate professional, geographic or policy environments.
FoMC uses its member conferences as recurring meeting points where these perspectives can come together.
By connecting creators, businesses, institutions, cities, researchers, networks and policy actors, FoMC helps identify common needs, compare different realities and address issues that require cooperation beyond a single organisation or market.
This dialogue can also help public authorities and private partners better understand the sector and where investment, support or policy can have practical value.
Talent & Opportunity
A sustainable music ecosystem depends on both strong organisations and people who can build viable careers.
FoMC supports connections between artists, managers, entrepreneurs, SMEs, labels, promoters, venues, technology companies, investors, educators and institutions.
Through its member platforms, the network can help develop new partnerships, support market access, improve professional mobility and create opportunities for emerging talent and experienced professionals alike.
Particular attention is given to skills, entrepreneurship, internationalisation, access to networks and the conditions that allow independent professionals and smaller organisations to grow sustainably.
Knowledge & Awareness
Many of the challenges facing music are shared across markets, but they do not affect every territory or organisation in the same way.
FoMC helps members compare evidence, experience and good practices around issues such as skills, mobility, technology, rights, sustainability, audience behaviour, access to finance and public support.
By bringing this knowledge together, the Federation can identify patterns, highlight differences between markets and give greater visibility to needs that are often underrepresented in sector data or policy discussions.
This creates a stronger basis for research, partnerships, programme development and informed decision-making.
Places & Audiences
Music ecosystems are shaped locally.
Cities, regions, venues, festivals, cultural organisations and public institutions all influence whether music communities can develop, retain talent and connect to wider markets.
FoMC members provide spaces where local ecosystems meet international professionals, new ideas and potential partners.
By connecting these places across countries and regions, the Federation helps knowledge and successful approaches travel: from audience development and professional support to innovation, sustainability, skills programmes and new forms of public-private cooperation.