ABOUT

Manager Buddies is an initiative of the Association of Artist Managers, MMF UK, MMF Canada, EMMA (European Music Managers Alliance) and MMF Aotearoa that coincides with select major international music conferences around the world.

Manager Buddies is designed to facilitate meaningful connection between managers from different territories who are attending a particular conference and wish to develop their global networks. Participating managers will be put into small groups ahead of the conference to:

• Learn about each others' management work, artists and respective international territory

• Connect, share and discuss their goals for the conference

• Share resources and ideas

...and more. At the end of the conference participants will be required to complete a short survey to provide feedback on their experience as part of this initiative.

See below and follow our socials for further information on current and upcoming rounds, and links to submit an application. (Please note that application links will become available on this webpage as each round is open).

If you need support, please email kate@aam.org.au.

Manager Buddies: 2026 Editions

Application Open + Closing Dates:

The Great Escape (UK) – 13–16 May 2026 – Brighton, UK

Applications Open: 11 March, 2026

Applications Close: 1 April, 2026

NXNE (Canada) – 10–14 June 2026 – Toronto, Canada

Applications Open: 8 April, 2026

Applications Close: 29 April, 2026

BIGSOUND (Australia) – 1–4 September 2026 – Brisbane, Australia

Applications Open: 29 June, 2026

Applications Close: 20 July, 2026 - APPLY HERE

Reeperbahn Festival (Germany) – 16–19 September 2026 – Hamburg, Germany

Applications Open: 15 July, 2026

Applications Close: 5 August, 2026

WOMEX (Spain) – 21–25 October 2026 – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Applications Open: 19 August, 2026

Applications Close: 9 September, 2026

Amsterdam Dance Event (Netherlands) – 21–25 October 2026 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Applications Open: 19 August, 2026

Applications Close: 9 September, 2026

Please note you must be a member of the AAM, MMF UK, MMF Canada, MMF Aotearoa or a member of the European Music Managers Alliance to apply.

Eligibility

• You must be a current member of one of the above organisations to apply

• You must be a manager (not a self-managed artist) to participate in this initiative. (If you are a self-managing artist who also manages other act(s) in addition to your own, you are welcome to apply.)

• Please only apply if you are attending the conference (relevant to the Manager Buddies round you are applying for). You don't have to be attending with a showcasing artist.

Participant Quotes

"It was such an awesome and unique experience, it makes me feel really excited about working with overseas markets even further."
- Sara Tamim, Sara Tamim Management (AAM)

The program allowed me to meet a manager connected to a market I am looking to develop. Every relationship and opportunity starts somewhere, but having an introduction and insight that likely would’ve taken more time and resources to build was incredibly appreciated."
- Anonymous

"Coming from a company where we’d attend events together, I felt quite anxious about going to SXSW solo this year. Having a buddy was invaluable; it boosted my confidence and let me relax at the showcases and events. I feel like I’ll be friends with Claire for life—hearing about her company and artists was fantastic, and I’m even hoping to visit her in Canada one day! We’ve already talked about helping each other’s artists in our respective territories."
- Sarah McMillan, Boots Darling (AAM)

"The Manager Buddies program was a fantastic experience. It's such a valuable experience to connect with likeminded managers from all over the world. I look forward to keeping in touch with the connections I made!"
- Nik MacDonald, Jones & Co. (MMF Canada)

"I had such a great experience with the Manager Buddies programme - it's a great way of bringing together managers from different markets and to meet new contacts."
- Ailsa Harper, AMW Management (MMF UK)

"Being part of the Manager Buddies initiative at The Great Escape festival was an extremely valuable experience. It assisted me in connecting, learning, and collaborating on a global scale - something I would not have been able to accomplish to such an extent without this program. I'm very grateful to AAM and the other international management organisations for putting this together."
- Lou Sawilejskij, Nala Music (AAM)

"It was so wonderful to be connected to other managers on the ground in Australia, especially as it was my first time attending SXSW Sydney and I had a lot of questions - it was very reassuring. Such a great initiative!"
- Bonnie Allen, House of Bonnie (MMF Aotearoa)

"Manager Buddies through AAM and MMF Canada was a huge support to me while I was overseas in Australia for SXSW Sydney. It was so helpful having kind and generous other managers in the region tell me more about the scene and go as far as to take me out and introduce me to the artists they work with and other folks in the industry. One of the mentors even introduced me to an app that helps with jet lag so that was a plus lol."
- Anonymous

"The ADE Manager Buddy program was great to be a part of. Building connections with peers around the globe to share and exchange knowledge has been an invaluable experience."
- Anonymous

"It was a great experience for me to get to know international buddies and exchange experiences and work practices."
- Anonymous