About this Event
SoundOff Summit is back and we are exciting to host our 3 day music industry conference.
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Day 1 Kick Off Coffee Hang
Info: KICK OFF COFFEE HANG - Come early and get a coffee on us!
Hosted by Music Calgary
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Day 1 The Hang Is the Work
Info: The Hang Is the Work: Showing Up, Building Community & Finding Opportunities
Sometimes the best career opportunities happen when you're not actively looking for them. Showing up at a friend's gig, hanging out after a show, supporting other artists, or simply being part of your local music community can lead to unexpected connections, collaborations, and bookings.
This panel explores the value of being present, building authentic relationships, and participating in the music scene beyond your own performances. From casual conversations to chance encounters, we'll talk about how showing up for others can create lasting connections and open doors in ways that traditional networking often can't.
It's not always about pitching yourself, handing out business cards, or asking for the next opportunity. Sometimes it's about being someone people know, trust, enjoy being around.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Day 1 SYNC INTO IT: A Sync Licensing 101 Workshop
Info: SYNC INTO IT: A Sync Licensing 101 Workshop
Ever wondered how music makes its way into film, television, advertising, and video games? Sync licensing can open new doors for artists, creating opportunities to earn revenue, reach new audiences, and build connections across creative industries.
This introductory workshop breaks down the fundamentals of sync licensing, from understanding music rights and clearances to preparing your catalogue for opportunities and learning what music supervisors are looking for.
Whether you're new to sync or looking to better position your music, this session will provide practical insights into how the industry works, how to make your music sync-ready, and where to begin building relationships.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Day 1 Getting Heard: The Role of Radio, Press & Publicity
Info: In a world where artists have more ways than ever to share their music, what role do traditional and independent media platforms play in building a career?
From campus and community radio to music journalism, interviews, reviews, and publicity campaigns, each platform offers different opportunities to connect artists with new audiences. But what actually moves the needle?
Join professionals working across radio, press, and music publicity for a conversation about how music gets discovered, what makes a story worth sharing, and how media coverage can translate into meaningful career opportunities.
We'll explore how these platforms work together, what editors and programmers look for, how artists can build relationships with media, and what realistic outcomes artists should expect from publicity efforts.
Whether you're preparing to release new music or looking to build momentum around your next project, this panel
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Day 1 ATB FINANCIAL WORKSHOP - “The Business of Music”
Info: ATB FINANCIAL WORKSHOP - “The Business of Music”
presented with ATB and Calgary Folk Festival
November is Financial Literacy Month, The Calgary Folk Music Festival, is glad to be partnering with ATB and Music Calgary’s Sound Off Summit to provide a panel on business planning for musicians. The theme will focus on financial planning as a creative including when to register as a business, the different business types and how this affects banking, loans, and taxes.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Day 2 Morning Coffee Hosted by Alberta Music & BreakOut West
Info: Come join us nice and early to grab a coffee and chat before the day kicks into high gear.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Day 2 The Art of the Pitch: Your EPK & Artist Bio
Info: The Art of the Pitch: Your EPK & Artist Bio
Your music tells your story, but how do you make sure the right people hear it? One of the first and most important steps in building a professional music career is learning how to present yourself and your music to the industry.
Your electronic press kit (EPK) and artist bio are often the first introduction promoters, festivals, booking agents, labels, and media have to you as an artist. Making a strong first impression can help open doors to new opportunities, build meaningful connections, and get your music in front of the right people.
In this workshop, we'll explore the essential elements of a professional EPK, what makes an artist bio compelling, and how to communicate your unique story, sound, and accomplishments. Learn what industry professionals are looking for, what information matters most, and how to avoid common mistakes when presenting yourself.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Day 2 More Than Numbers: Turning Online Engagement Into Real Fans
Info: Building an online following is one thing, but turning views, likes, and shares into a genuine fanbase is another. This panel explores how artists create engaging content, grow their audiences, and build meaningful connections beyond the algorithm.
From finding your creative voice to understanding what resonates with fans, we'll discuss how artists turn online attention into lasting support, real-world show attendance, and sustainable career growth.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Day 2 Local Roots, Global Reach: Building Networks Beyond Your Hometown
Info: Every artist starts somewhere, but the relationships built in your hometown can become the foundation for opportunities far beyond it. Whether connecting with music communities in Nashville, the American Midwest, Europe, or other Canadian cities, growing your network is about finding people, scenes, and opportunities that align with your music.
This panel explores how artists build meaningful relationships beyond their local communities, from connecting with other musicians and promoters to developing international friendships, collaborations, and touring opportunities.
We'll discuss how showing up in new cities, supporting other artists, maintaining relationships across borders, and becoming part of different music communities can create lasting opportunities for your career.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Day 2 One City, Many Stages: The Multi-Venue Festival Model
Info: What does it take to turn multiple venues into one cohesive festival experience? From coordinating independent spaces and navigating logistics to programming artists and moving audiences across a city, multi-venue festivals offer unique opportunities and challenges.
This panel brings together festival organizers to explore how they build partnerships with venues, create connected experiences for audiences, and strengthen local music communities through a shared festival vision.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Day 3 Morning Coffee Hosted by LieLow Music Fest
Info: Consider this your morning pick-me-up, courtesy of your friends at LieLow!
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Day 3 Playing the Long Game: Artist Management & Career Strategy
Info: Building a sustainable music career takes more than great music and the right opportunities. It requires thoughtful planning, strategic decision-making, and knowing when to take the next step.
This panel explores the role of artist management in shaping long-term careers, from identifying opportunities and building the right team to navigating releases, touring, partnerships, and industry relationships.
We'll discuss how managers approach career development, balance short-term opportunities with long-term goals, and help artists make decisions that support their creative vision and professional growth.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Day 3 Own the Stage: Building Confidence as a Live Performer
Info: Stepping onto a stage can be one of the most exciting and intimidating parts of being an artist.
Whether you're preparing for your first performance or looking to feel more comfortable in front of an audience, confidence is something that develops through practice, experience, and finding your own approach to performing.
This interactive workshop explores the fundamentals of stage presence, overcoming performance nerves, connecting with an audience, and becoming more comfortable expressing yourself in a live setting.
Through practical exercises, conversation, and shared experiences, participants will explore ways to build confidence, develop their performance style, and bring more of their authentic selves to the stage.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Day 3 More Than Numbers: Turning Online Engagement Into Real Fans
Info: Building an online following is one thing, but turning views, likes, and shares into a genuine fanbase is another. This panel explores how artists are creating engaging content, growing their audiences, and building meaningful connections beyond the algorithm. From finding your creative voice to understanding what resonates with fans, we'll discuss strategies for turning online attention into lasting support, real-world attendance, and sustainable career growth.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Day 3 Small Stages, Big Beginnings: Where Music Communities Grow Engagement
Info: Small Stages, Big Beginnings: Where Music Communities Grow Engagement Into Real Fans
Every artist starts somewhere. Whether it's an open mic, a neighbourhood venue, an all-ages show, a Rockin' 4 Dollar$ night, or busking on the street, these accessible performance spaces are often where artists first find their confidence, connect with audiences, and become part of a music community.
This panel explores the importance of grassroots performance opportunities in developing artists, building audiences, and creating welcoming entry points into the local music scene. We'll hear from the people creating these spaces and discuss how small stages help build the next generation of musicians, music fans, and community connections.
Event venue & nearby stays
Platform, 407 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Canada