Governor Abbott Announces 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Music Office today announced the Fifth Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference will be held this year in Houston on Wednesday, November 8, and Thursday, November 9. Co-hosted by the Texas Music Office, the City of Houston, the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Houston Music Advisory Board, the music conference will include panel discussions on Texas music industry development and conversations about potential statewide collaboration between certified Music Friendly Texas Communities, as well as best practices that lead to increased music tourism and local job creation.
"Music is a big part of the Texas brand and culture," said Governor Abbott. "I thank the Texas Music Office for helping communities large and small develop creative partnerships and grow new jobs. With support from the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounted for more than 192,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs and generated more than $26 billion in economic activity statewide last year. Through our Music Friendly Texas Certified Communities, we can share important knowledge and bring more people into the conversation on continued economic expansion strategies for local music businesses, musicians, venues, and the music industry across the state."
This two-day conference will include panel discussions on Texas music scene development and potential statewide collaboration between certified communities, as well as roundtables spotlighting economic development best practices that lead to increased music tourism and music scene cohesion. Panels and presentations will be led by music industry representatives from organizations including NIVA (National Independent Venue Alliance), the Texas Music Office, Houston Music Advisory Board, and many more.
"I am proud of the work that our Music Friendly Texas Certified Communities do on behalf of their local music industries," said Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony. "We are excited to host our annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference in the City of Houston for the first time and to work with our Houston Liaison to bring together all of our Music Friendly Texas Certified Community Liaisons from across the state. The Texas Sounds and Cities Conference will offer these community leaders opportunities to learn from experts in the music industry and to collaborate with their colleagues to develop best practices and beneficial programs for their local industry stakeholders."
"The two-day event aims to create a more dynamic music environment across our Music Friendly Texas Communities that can strengthen not only Houston’s local music industry but also strengthen the state’s growing economy,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “With Houston’s global music impact, we are excited to partner with TMO to welcome a delegation of music representatives from across the state to our great city to learn from one another and take this opportunity to showcase Houston’s rich musical assets.”
“We’re excited to host Texas Sounds & Cities in Houston this year,” said the City of Houston Music & Cultural Tourism Officer Gracie Chávez. “Since our certification last year, it’s been a great time for our city’s music industry, and now we want to support our network of Music Friendly Texas Communities across the state and champion the development of our music ecosystem.”
TMO’s Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since introduced by TMO in 2016, provides now 50 Music Friendly Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth.
5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference
November 8-9, 2023
Downtown Houston, Houston, TX
For a detailed agenda and to register for the event, visit: texassoundsandcities.com
Questions may be directed to: Gracie Chávez, Music & Cultural Tourism Officer, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, 832.394.0627, gracie.chavez@houstontx.gov
Learn more about TMO's Music Friendly Texas Community program: gov.texas.gov/music/page/music-friendly-communities
The Texas Music Office in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism is the only state music office in the nation. Since 1990, TMO has fostered the economic development of Texas music businesses, Texas musicians, and Texas communities. TMO operates an extensive network of certified Music Friendly Texas community partners across the state, serves as a clearinghouse for Texas music industry information, acts as a liaison between music businesses and government offices, publicizes significant industry developments, and attracts essential music industry to the Lone Star State. A vibrant Texas music industry supports local job creation while drawing visitors from around the globe, attracting a talented workforce across industries, and supporting business recruitment and expansion efforts throughout the state.