In 2021 the Canadian Folk Music Awards developed a program to assist nominees in using the Awards Week and Festival to develop new business opportunities through their participation and performances. In 2024 in St John’s NL, CFMA recruited 22 music industry professionals from across Canada, the US and UK. These delegates primarily represent the live music sector and include Festival, venue and event programmers and buyers as well as promoters and agents. Other candidates for the Buyers Program could include publishers, labels, music supervisors and sync agents.
The goal will be to increase the number of delegates each year and bring in delegates from other countries and regions. CFMA secures funding to provide travel and accommodations for accredited delegates. Potential delegate lists are developed from input from nominees/showcasing artists, staff and previous delegates who have attended the event. Delegates are required to attend all the showcases while at the event. The program also features artist showcases from the region where the event is being held each year.
Delegates in the CFMA 2024 Export Buyers Program
Following the event, one on one meetings are arranged between the artists/their reps and the delegates to further the business development opportunities. These showcase have resulted in performance offers, agents signings and expanding the artists’ networks.
This exciting program has enhanced the event, created new opportunities for the showcasing artists and made a compelling reason for members of the folk music industry around the globe to attend and see some of Canada’s finest artists in the folk, roots, Indigenous, Americana, and global music communities perform.