The OCFF Presenters Program is now in its third year and continues to bring regional, national and international presenters to the conference to see showcases, network with peers and provide professional development for delegates.  This program is supported by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) in a partnership with Folk Music Canada (FMC) and CAPACOA (Canadian Arts Presentation Association).

The 2011 Presenters Program was organized and coordinated at the conference by Folk Music Canada. FMC is dedicated to building strong relationships with organizations from across the country, and is delighted to be working closely with the OCFF to bring festivals, presenters and industry professionals together to develop markets, network with peers and the participate in this celebration of folk music. 

The program's objectives are to target, stimulate and facilitate business and mentoring relationships between professionals working in the folk, roots and traditional music industry in Ontario and national and international markets.  Other goals include:

• Providing professional market-development and export preparedness training  opportunities;
• Supporting the export of Ontario-made music on a national scale and Canadian-made music on a global scale;
• Increasing the trade activity of OCFF members while increasing overall market demand for live and recorded folk and roots music;
• Increasing the number of OCFF members exporting high-quality, market-ready product.

The Succession Plan (TSP) is a mentorship and peer network development program for emerging and mid-career presenters, agents, managers and other arts professionals.  The program seeks to strengthen core competencies, provide leadership development and equip participants with the tools and resources necessary to be active participants in the development of arts and culture in their community.

TSP Participants:

• Joey Balducchi, Spherical Productions
• Tina DesRoches, Eaglewood Folk Festival
• Catherine McInnes, Home County Folk Festival
• Pearl Rachinsky, Folk on the Rocks Festival
• Rob Reid, WFM (World Famous Music)

TSP Mentors:

• Sam Baijal, Hillside Festival
• Jane Harbury, Jane Harbury Publicity
• Russell Kelley, Canada Council for the Arts
• Phyllis Stenson, Harrison Festival of the Arts
• Carolyn Sutherland

For more information about TSP, please click here.

The Presenters Program features presenters, agents, and industry professionals - key workers in cultural industries with a keen interest in (or profound curiosity about) Ontarian/Canadian folk and roots music.  Presenters Program participants are committed to exploring and developing sustainable business relationships with conference delegates. OCFF delegates are encouraged to meet and speak with these guests, who will also participate on panels and in mentoring sessions throughout the conference weekend:

• Jason Arkley, Harvest Moon Festival (Clearwater, MB)
  
• Joey Balducchi, Spherical Productions (Hamilton, ON)*
  
• Robyn Boyd, Wooden Ship Productions (Chatham, NY)
  
• Don Brownrigg, In the Dead of Winter Festival (Halifax, NS)
  
• Dave Carmichael, Deep Roots Music Festival (Wolfville, NS)
  
• Doug Cox, Vancouver Island MusicFest (Vancouver Island, BC)
  
• Sarah Craig, Caffè Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY)
  
• Heather Daley, Alianait Music Festival (Iqaluit, NU)
  
• Simone Deneau, National Arts Centre (Ottawa, ON)
  
• Tina DesRoches, Eaglewood Folk Festival (Pefferlaw, ON)*
  
• Cheryl Ewing, CCI - Contact Ontario (Toronto, ON)
  
• Joanna Maratta, BC Touring Council (Nelson, BC)
  
• Catherine McInnes, Home County Folk Festival (London, ON)*
  
• Tim Osmond, Home Routes (Winnipeg, MB)
  
• Sue Panning, Canmore Folk Festival (Canmore, AB)
  
• Pearl Rachinsky, Folk on the Rocks (Yellowknife, NT)*
  
• Rob Reid, WFM (World Famous Music) (Ottawa, ON)*
  
• Phyllis Stenson, Harrison Festival of the Arts (Harrison Hot Springs, BC)

*These delegates are participating in CAPACOA’s The Succession Plan program this year.