Membership FAQs

How do I become a member of the Folk Alliance?
You may pay online with paypal or you may send in the download form via mail, emil, or fax.

How do I know whether I need to renew my membership?
You may look at your membership card. It will have the expiration/term date listed. If you do not have your card, feel free to call us 901-522-1170 or email marissa@folk.org to ask about your membership status.

What’s the difference between affiliate and individual memberships?
Affiliates are non-voting members. This membership is for non-industry professionals, non-artist members – mostly active fans and enthusiasts. Individuals are voting members.

What’s a partner membership?
This is a membership for a couple or duo.

How do I know what size organization I am for an organizational membership?
Size is determined by income. If your organization’s income is 50K or less, you are a small organization; 50-300K, medium; more than 300K, large. All bands may apply for a small organization membership.

I recently bought one kind of membership, but I would like to change it. Is this allowed?
We allow membership changes for 60 days after purchase. However, you may only pay the difference for larger memberships. We do not refund membership purchases. Please contact the office if you need to change your membership (901-522-1170 or marissa@folk.org)

Who should I contact about becoming a 501c3 group exemption member?
Please contact jen@folk.org. She will be happy to help you with this process.

Conference Registration FAQs

Who needs to register for the conference?
Everyone. Every single person must be registered for the conference. This includes all showcase artists, panelists, media, VIP, sidemen, spouses, etc. Please do not assume that we have registered you ourselves. We ask that each person register themselves so that ALL contact information is correct in our program book. Discount codes may be entered on the final payment page. If you choose to register via fax or mail, please be certain that all of your contact information is legible and correct.

How do I register?
You may register online by clicking on the Online Registration link at the top of the homepage, or you may mail or fax in the registration form available for download under the 2010 Conference Info link. Please keep in mind that we prefer that you register online so that you can double check that all your contact information is correct for the program book.

What are the fees for registration?
Please click on the 2010 Conference Info link.

How do I know what registration type I am?
If you are a member of the Folk Alliance, you are either an organizational member or an individual/affiliate member. Partner members are under the organizational rate. Please be aware that it is always cheaper to become a member AND buy registration rather than register at the non-member rate. All official showcase applicants should register under the Selected/Unselected Showcase Applicant rate. All exhibitors should register under the Exhibitor rate. Once you have registered the first person in your group, you will use “Add a Person” button and the “Additional Registrant” as the registration type for the remaining people. This “Additional Registrant” cannot be used with individual member registrations (only partners, organizations, showcase applicants, and exhibitors).

Do I need to become a member before I register?
It is always cheaper to become a member and register rather than register at the non-member rate. You may purchase membership while registering. Memberships can be found under the optional items for purchase. If you choose to purchase membership, do not use the non-member registration type. All accepted official showcase artists must be members. Unlike last year, we are requiring that EVERY member of an official showcasing artist group have membership. We recommend the partner membership for duos, and the small organizational membership for bands/groups.

How do I register myself and a guest?
Register yourself under the correct registration type. Once you’ve completed filling out your contact info and selecting the correct registration items, you will see a button “Add a Person.” Click this button, then fill in the second person’s name, email, and selected “Additional Registrant” as their registration type. You will select “Add a Person” and “Additional Registrant” for every additional guest thereafter. The base rate for the first person is dependent on the date you register, but guests are always an additional $150 per person.

What confirmation will I receive? Is there a receipt?
Once you have filled out the online registration and clicked “Finish,” you will receive an emailed confirmation receipt with a confirmation ID #. If you choose to mail or fax in your registration, you will receive the same emailed confirmation receipt once our staff enters your information into the database.

Official Showcase FAQs

What is an official showcase?
Each year the Folk Alliance selects artists to showcase during the International Folk Alliance Conference. Last year we selected 200 artists from all over the world. These artists will have a 30-45 minute showcase slot where industry representatives may observe. At last year’s conference, approximately 1700 people attended, and about 40% of those attendees were industry professionals (non-artists).

How can I apply?
You may apply online with sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com/folkalliance2010) or you may mail-in the showcase application form. We are encouraging artists to apply online with sonicbids if possible, and as a result it is cheaper to apply online with sonicbids ($30 on sonicbids before 9/1/09, $40 on sonicbids from 9/1-11/19). If you are not a sonicbids member, there are membership and application packages available. Mail in application is $40 before 9/1/2009 and $50 between 9/1-11/19,

What is the deadline to apply?
November 19th, 2009

When will I hear whether I’ve been accepted or not?
Every applicant will be notified by mid-December of their status via email, so please check your email!

What is expected financially of accepted applicants?
Accepted showcase applicants will need to register for the conference and will need to be members of the Folk Alliance. Yearly band memberships are $150, duos $100, individuals $70. Conference Registration is $250 for the first person in the group and $150 for each additional. You can register online.

Private Showcase FAQs

What is a private showcase?
Private showcases are held each night after official showcases in the hotels rooms of the top three floors of the Marriott hotel. Each hotel room become a mini-showcase. At any given moment, there may be 100 different artists playing!

Who hosts the private showcases?
Any Folk Alliance member may be a Private Showcase presenter. They just need to fill out a private showcase presenter agreement. The upfront fee of $100 must be paid when turning in the contract to the Folk Alliance (via mail or fax). Once the contract and fee are processed, the presenter may then book their room with the Marriott ($136/night plus fees). There is a 3-night minimum booking (Thur., Fri., Sat. nights, Wednesday is optional), and the presenter must attend a fire safety orientation on the Wednesday or Thursday of the conference.

How can an artist get a private showcase booking?
Each presenter will let the Folk alliance office know whether they are willing to receive artist solicitation for private showcase booking purposes. Once all the private showcase rooms are booked, we will release allow artists to solicit for a showcase via our listserv. Artists may sign up for the listserv by clicking on the link on our website and following the instructions. All private showcases are booked through the presenters. The Folk Alliance office does not handle any private showcase bookings. You DO NOT have to be an official showcase artist in order to play a private showcase.

Can I have more than one private showcase?
Yes, there is no limit.

Do artists playing Private Showcases still need to register for the conference if they do not plan on attending any other part of the conference?
Yes. Everyone at the conference MUST be registered. This includes any additional sidemen, spouses, etc.

What times are private showcases held?
Private evening showcases shall not start before 10:30pm (except Wednesday, can start at 9pm) and all amplified sound will end by 3am. All performances will end no later than 4am. Daytime private showcases shall only take place between 2pm and 4pm.

Are there any guidelines for sound?
Amps and sound systems are only allowed in the suites. Exceptions are made for small keyboard and electric bass amps only. Drum sets are strictly prohibited. Percussionists must be aware of not disturbing other rooms.

Can I rearrange or remove furniture from the private showcase room?
Presenters must have express permission from the Marriot. Folk Alliance is not liable for any fees, expenses or damages that the hotel may charge. Extra chairs may be reserved and purchased through the hotel.

May I serve food and/or drink in my showcase room?
All food and drink must be arranged through the hotel.

Exhibit Hall FAQs

What do I need to do as an exhibitor?
Exhibitor Kits (web link) will be emailed to all exhibitors directly from exhibition company. Please fill out materials completely as they will be printing you booth signage if you have a full booth or half booth. Register online here. You will need to pay registration fees and select your booth size during this online registration.

What are my costs as an exhibitor?
Exhibition space is sold ala carte. Full booths are $500.00. Half booths are $375.00. Exhibitors may register for the early bird price of $250.00. (for groups $250.00 for the first person, $150.00 for each additional person).

When is the exhibit hall open?
Exhibit Hall Hours are:
*Wednesday, February 18 5:00pm-7:00pm
*Thursday, February 19 3:00pm-6:00pm
*Friday, February 20 3:00pm-6:00pm
*Saturday, February 21 3:00pm-6:00pm

When can I set up/take down my exhibit space?
Official set up times are:
* Wednesday 3:00pm-5:00pm
*Thursday 1:00pm-3:00pm

Official break down time is:
*Saturday 6:00pm-8:00pm (all materials must be out of hall by 8pm Saturday. Folk Alliance is not responsible for anything left post 8pm. Hall will be closed to all FA staff and exhibitors post 8pm)

How do I ship materials to my booth?
Our exhibition company provides all shipping information in the exhibitor kit. Please make sure to use the shipping labels that they provide. All of your shipped materials will be held for you in the exhibit hall at the Convention Center NOT the FA registration area at the hotel.

Shipping is also available through the host hotel, Downtown Marriott. Charges and details may be found at www.marriott.com or by phoning the hotel.

Is electricity provided?
No, electricity may be purchased on an individual basis by each full booth and half booth exhibitor. Information and pricing is available in the exhibitor kit provided by the exhibition company and must be purchased previous to event in order to receive discount. Electricity may be purchased on site but will not reflect any discount.
Is the hall secure and is storage available?
Folk Alliance is designating a room for storage for exhibitors if needed as well as space behind each booth. However, please use your best judgment. We have hired Convention Center security but do not accept liability for anything stolen or lost.

How early will I be able to get into the exhibit hall each day before it opens as an exhibitor?
Security will allow you in at 2 pm on days that set up is not taking place (aka Friday and Saturday). This will give you time to refresh your area and take care of any changes if needed. Just show security your badge for clearance.

At the close of the day-we encourage all to exit the hall and join others in the Marriott for the daily cocktail parties and feature shows. They begin at 6pm prompt. Please tidy quickly, grab a friend, and head over for the beginning of the night’s activities. Hall will be locked 15 minutes after closing hour.

What is the number one rule of the FA Exhibit Hall?
To conduct business in a creative environment while being respectful to one’s neighbors. Please be mindful of your booth neighbors. All recorded music should be played through headphones. No jam sessions are allowed in the exhibit hall. However, instrument/product testing is acceptable.

If I have any problem, concern, ideas, or compliments- who should I call?
Cindy Cogbill, cindy@folk.org, or call her at the office 901.522.1170.

What does my booth look like?
Exhibit Hall is carpeted, wi-fi accessible, and all drapes are black.
*Full Booths-contain a 6’x30’ black draped table, 2 chairs, wastebasket, Booth I.D. Sign
*Half Booths- contain a 6’x30’ black draped table, 2 chairs, wastebasket, Booth I.D. Sign
You may hang banners, etc. from drapes. Please be mindful and use discretion in hanging items as to not tear drapes.
***Please keep in mind that there are five entrances to this hall which means we all have some great real estate!