F.A.Q.S.



1. How much is . . . ?

a. Here is the current price list: Download


2. What form should I use?

ALL PAYMENTS MUST ACCOMPANY A FORM—including online/Paypal payments:

a. Individual Registration Form—Individual Registrations, All Membership Renewals, Exhibit Hall, Donations (you DO NOT have to use separate form for each)

b. Organization/Band Registration Form— Organization/Band Registrations (only organizational members qualify), Organizational Membership Renewals, Exhibit Hall, Donations (you DO NOT have to use separate form for each)

c. Showcase Application Form—Official Performance Alley Showcase Applicants ONLY

d. Showcase Production Form—Accepted Performance Alley Showcase Artists (DO NOT register with the Individual or Org/Band Registration form)

e. Membership Form—New and Renewing Members

 

3. Do I have to send a form if I paid by Paypal?

a. Yes! PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU PAY BY PAYPAL YOU STILL MUST SEND A FORM MARKED “PAYPAL”—do not include your credit card information or you may be charged twice.

 

4. Does my registration include Lodging and Meals?

a. No. Lodging and Meals are NOT included. You must book directly with the hotel.

 

5. Where/ how do I make my hotel reservations?

a. The 2007 International Folk Alliance Conference will be held February 21-25 at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Memphis. Non-music floor rooms are available now with the booking code: NAFNAFA. You can book on the Marriott website or by calling 1-888-557-8740

 

6. How do I book my hotel reservations online?

a. You can book on the Marriott website

 

7. When is the conference?

a. Pre-Con events and showcases begin on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. Various conference events will continue through Sunday, February 25, 2007. There are no official events on Monday, February 26, 2007. Please see the Schedule at a Glance located on the “Conference” link of the website for more detailed information.

 

8. How can my company sponsor the conference?

a. We have many sponsorship opportunities available for all levels of sponsorship. Please contact Cindy@folk.org for more information.

 

9. How do I volunteer for the conference?

a. The Folk Alliance relies on a staff of volunteers to keep the conference running smoothly. Volunteers receive the benefit of attending the conference, and the added benefit of working behind the scenes at this fast-paced, exciting event. If you are interested in applying to be a conference volunteer, click the "Forms" link on our website and fill out the volunteer application form. For more information, please contact the Folk Alliance Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Barnaby, at 901-334-8518 or volunteers@folk.org. We recommend that you fill out the volunteer form by November 1, 2006, as we always have more applicants than we have volunteer positions.

 

10. How long will I have to volunteer?

a. Volunteers accepted into the program have their registration fee waived in exchange for 16 hours (minimum 4-hour shift per day) of work during the Conference. There is no single-day volunteering or reduced-rate option.

 

11. Do I have to also register for the conference if I’m paying for exhibit hall space?

a. Yes, exhibit hall fees do NOT include registration fees, which are required.

 

12. How do I know if I’m registered?

a. You or the person sending a payment for your registration should receive a PDF receipt by email, if an email address is provided. You may email Randi Lynn with any questions

 

13. How can I sign up to be a panelist at the conference?

a. Please send an email to Louis Meyers regarding your interest. Please note the panelists do not receive comped registration fees or any other compensation.

 

14. How do I suggest a panel?

a. Please fill out a Panel Proposal form and send it to Louis Meyers.

 

15. How do I change or cancel my membership, registration, exhibit hall reservation, advertising or sponsor package?

a. Please send the office written notification of your request including your full name and information with original purchase method (type of credit card or check number and date of purchase). You may send your request by mail, email or fax. Please note our cancellation policy: Registration and Exhibit Hall fees are refundable (minus a $50 handling fee) until December 1, 2006. Those canceling between December 1, 2006 and January 5, 2007, will receive dollar value credit (less a $50 handling fee) toward the 2008 conference in Memphis (February 2008). Conference credits cannot be used toward membership fees nor do they guarantee future exhibit space. There are absolutely no refunds or credits for cancellations after January 5, 2007. Cancellations after January 5 due to weather or other events cannot be credited. There are no substitutions of participants allowed except in the case of company employees, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Folk Alliance office. Membership and showcase application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

1. How do I apply?

a. Follow the directions on the application form available at www.folkalliance.org/forms/index.php or apply through www.sonicbids.com/folkalliance07

 

2. What is Sonicbids?

a. Sonicbids.com is one of our sponsors. You can sign up and submit an electronic press kit for a discount. The Folk Alliance Conference/Sonicbids Combo Package for $45.00 includes an automatic submission and a 6-month Sonicbids subscription or if you already have sonicbids you can submit for $35 as a member or non-member.

 

3. Do you prefer epk’s or traditional press kits?

a. While either is acceptable, we only accept Sonicbids epk’s. Electronic is easier to process.

 

4. Do I have to be a member of the Folk Alliance to apply?

a. No, non-members pay $50 and members pay $35. Send an email to Randi@folk.org to see if your membership is current. You may also pay $105 and submit your application and individual membership at the same time.

 

5. Who qualifies as a member of the Folk Alliance?

a. If you are a manager, booking agent, etc. with and organizational membership then the acts you submit under your contact information may be submitted at the member rate $35.

 

6. How much is it to apply?

a. $35 for Folk Alliance member or Sonicbids submissions. $50 for non-members

 

7. What is the difference between Performance Alley showcases and Official showcases?

a. Performance Alley showcases and official showcases are the same thing. All Official Performance Alley showcases are juried the same.

 

8. When will I know if I’m accepted?

a. We are accepting artists daily, so apply today. All artists will be notified by early December. Accepted artist will need to pay fees and return the production from by December 15, 2007.

 

9. Once I’m accepted how to I register?

a. You don’t. All accepted artist registrations and fees are paid through the production form. Do NOT fill out a band or individual registration form.

 

10. What is the deadline to apply?

a. October 20, 2006 postmarked. Please apply early, as we are swamped at deadlines.

 

11. Will I have to pay any other fees if I am accepted?

a. Yes, you are required to a member of Folk Alliance. You are also required to pay all inclusive registration and production fees according to the size of your act. Registration and Production fees: First person =$300, plus $100 for each additional player. If you would like two showcase you must pay an addition one-time Second Showcase Fee: 1-2 Performers = $50 3-10 Performers $100

 

12. How do I know if I have a Folk Alliance membership?

a. If your band or representative has a group membership that fulfills your membership requirement. Your representative may upgrade their membership to a group to cover your act or you/your act may join individually or as a group

 

13. How much is it to attend, if I applied to showcase and was NOT accepted to perform?

a. If you are individual, you may register with the individual registration form for a discounted fee of $225 until January 5, 2007. If you are a band, you may register with the organizational/band form for a fee of $600 until January 5, 2007.

 

14. Are there scholarships available?

a. Yes, there are a limited number of scholarships available. Please contact the office to see if you qualify to apply.

 

15. If I played in Performance Alley in 2006, can I apply again for 2007?

a. Yes, we will offer some of last years performing artists the opportunity to perform again this year.

 

16. If I am selected for Performance Alley, can I play other gigs in Memphis venue during Folk Alliance?

a. Yes, we will send each of the selected artists a local venue list in early October.

 

17. Can I play private showcase if I’m performing in official Performance Alley showcases?

a. Yes, you may play two advertised private showcase in addition to your two opportunities to play two official Performance Alley showcases or three if you choose to play only one official Performance Alley showcase.

 

18. Do I automatically have an official performance alley showcase at the conference in Memphis, I am performing an official showcase at a regional conference?

a. Each regional conference will select 2 of their showcasing artists to receive Performance Alley showcases in Memphis. Each region will use a different method of selecting their artists

 

19. Do I have to apply to perform a private showcase?

a. No, private showcases slots are selected by each private showcase host.

 

20. Where do the Official Performance Alley Showcases take place?

a. Official Performance Alley Showcases take place in the host hotel, Marriot Downtown Memphis, in various meeting rooms with stages and systems built to fit the performing artist(s). There will be an area in each room for conference attendees to participate as audience members.

 

21. How long are showcase slots?

a. 20-25 minutes for solo acts. 35-40 minutes for bands

1. To whom should I address exhibit hall questions?

a. email Cindy Cogbill

 

2. When is the exhibit hall open?

a. Thursday thru Saturday 1:00pm-6:00pm; Exhibit hall setup: Wednesday 3:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday 9:00am-noon Moveout: Saturday 6:00pm-8:00pm

 

3. May I bring an exhibit hall helper?

a. Each exhibit space is able to bring one helper for $125.00. The helper will have access to the exhibit hall and private showcases only. If the helper wishes to attend the official showcases, panels, workshops, or clinics; full conference registration will be needed.

 

4. May I share exhibit space?

a. Certainly, but only one name will appear on the signage. However, you are welcome to request a space next to a friend. Full and half booths have individual signage.

 

5. What is a groupstand?

a. Groupstands are designed to hosts individuals with like interests. They are for independent recording artists, regions, countries, non-profits, and other registrants that fit together. It is a communal space set aside for flyers and promotional materials shared by several individuals.

 

6. Is electricity available for the exhibition space?

a. Electricity is available for $55.00 through the Memphis Convention Center using the form provided in the exhibitor packet.

1. What are private showcases?

a. Private showcases take place on three floors of the host hotel, The Memphis Marriott Downtown and can be presented by any International Folk Alliance conference registrant. These private showcases are usually hosted by presenters, booking agencies, record companies, regions, and umbrella organizations. They operate each night of the Performance Alley showcases (Wednesday – Saturday) and for a limited time during the day on Thursday – Saturday.

 

2. How do I get a private showcase room?

a. In order to reserve a room on one of the music floors, we must receive a completed “private showcase contract” with payment. Once your contract has been processed, we will issue you a booking code for the music floor rooms. You can book them online through the Marriott website or by calling the Marriott reservations number: 1- 888-557-8740. These rooms are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

 

3. What does it cost to host a private showcase?

a. There is a $100 fee per room that covers promotion, security, extra cleanup, any other related hard costs incurred by Folk Alliance. Each host is responsible for their own room costs, hospitality, artist fees, and any other associated expenses related to your private showcase. You and all private showcasing artists must also be registered for the conference. You must also attend one of our private showcase training session (Wednesday and Thursday) to review the basic safety instructions provided by the hotel and Folk Alliance. Our goal is to provide a safe and comfortable setting for the private showcases.

 

4. What will Folk Alliance provide for the private showcases?

a. Folk Alliance will provide “T-Shirt” security on each floor to ensure that only Folk Alliance registrants and special guests will have access to the private showcase floors and to look out for safety concerns including overcrowding and other potential fire hazards. Folk Alliance will provide space for a private showcase schedule to be included in the official totebag. Folk Alliance will provide marketing space on each music floor and in the general conference areas for private showcase promotion posters and fliers.

 

5. If I am an official Performance Alley showcase artist, how many private showcases can I play?

a. If you are selected for Performance Alley and choose to play twice in Performance Alley, then you may play two advertised private showcases. If selected and you choose to only perform once in Performance Alley, then you may play three advertised private showcases. You are more than welcome to play other unadvertised private showcases as a special guest or accompanying another private showcase artist.

 

6. Do I have to be a Folk Alliance member or registered for the conference to play a private showcase?

a. You must be registered for the conference and of course, we would love for you to be a Folk Alliance member also.

 

7. How do I get booked for a private showcase?

a. Each room is booked exclusively by the host. You can utilize the Folk Alliance listserv to request private showcase appearances. Sign up for the listserv at http://folkserv.net/mailman/listinfo/folk-alliance

 

8. Can I invite non-registrants to my private showcase?

a. Each host will be given a limited number of “music floor only” passes for invited special guests. These passes are non-transferable and only available through your private showcase host.