IPM Members and Manchester Met Colleagues Heading to Music Cities Convention 2026
Music is increasingly recognised as an important component of successful places. Beyond its cultural value, music can support local economies, animate public spaces, attract visitors, strengthen local identity, and contribute to the vibrancy of town and city centres. As policymakers and practitioners seek new approaches to regeneration and placemaking, understanding how music ecosystems operate has become an increasingly important area of research and practice.
Reflecting Manchester Metropolitan University’s established expertise in music, culture and place, several colleagues from across the University, alongside members of the Institute of Place Management network, will be attending this year’s Music Cities Convention 2026 in Kingston upon Hull from 9-11 June 2026. The Convention brings together policymakers, city leaders, music professionals, researchers and cultural innovators from around the world to explore how music can contribute to stronger local economies, vibrant communities and better places. Discussions will cover themes including music policy and governance, venue protection, cultural investment, regeneration, tourism and the night-time economy.
Among those attending are:
“I’m looking forward to attending Music Cities Convention, hearing about innovative work from around the world, and meeting people who share an interest in the relationship between music, culture and place. I am pleased to be leading a team from Manchester Metropolitan University at the convention”
“I am pleased to see the Institute of Place Management developing stronger connections with colleagues working across music, culture and the creative industries, and I am looking forward to learning from the discussions in Hull and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.”
“One of the strengths of the Institute of Place Management is its ability to connect people from different sectors who share a common interest in creating better places. Music Cities Convention provides a fantastic opportunity to meet practitioners, policymakers and researchers, learn from their experiences and explore how music can contribute to thriving places and communities.”
“The conversations taking place at Music Cities Convention are increasingly relevant to anyone interested in the future of towns and cities. Music contributes to culture, community, economic vitality and the distinctiveness of place. I am looking forward to exchanging ideas with people from different sectors and bringing those insights back to the wider Manchester Met and IPM network.”
Together, they are part of a wider network of colleagues exploring how culture, creativity and music contribute to place identity, economic growth, community wellbeing and place transformation. The Convention provides an opportunity to learn from international examples, share experiences and build new partnerships across sectors and disciplines. If you are attending the Convention, colleagues would love to hear from you and encourage you to connect with them direct via LinkedIn.
