Hundreds of international delegates and dozens of speakers gathered in Anguilla last week for Music City Events’ first Music Tourism Convention held in the Caribbean.
The event, held at the Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club from 4 to 6 November, featured talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
It aimed to explore how music can drive tourism, strengthen cultural identity and create economic opportunities for local artists and destinations.
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On the first day, visitors got the chance to immerse themselves in Anguilla’s vibrant cultural scene, enjoying local music, cuisine and art.
The two-day conference then opened on 5 November with remarks from Anguilla officials and international experts, including Azucena Micó from Sound Diplomacy.
Sessions covered the state of Anguilla’s music ecosystem, Miami’s strategies for leveraging diverse cultures in music tourism, and experiential marketing techniques to transform destinations.
Workshops included creating music trails for tourists, showcasing local music heritage and launching the 2026 Hidden Gems of Music Tourism project.
Regional and international panel discussions explored strengthening music tourism in the Caribbean, the role of carnivals and festivals, and music policy and ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia and Canada.
Evening events featured live performances from the ALHCS Steel Orchestra, The KC Experience, Queen B, and a screening of Bankie Banx: King of the Dune, celebrating the Anguillian musician’s impact on the island’s cultural scene.
Day two of the conference focused on practical strategies for music tourism development, including integrating local music genres into destination branding, sustainable and green practices for the industry, and recording studios as tourist attractions.
Panels highlighted the importance of professional music ecosystems in Anguilla and the Caribbean.
There was also an invitation-only roundtable to establish the Caribbean Music Tourism Alliance, a working group aimed at fostering collaboration, aligning policies and promoting regional growth.
The convention concluded with closing remarks and live music performances from Only the Serious, Omari Banks, and Bankie Banx.
A statement from Music Cities Events said: “What a truly brilliant two days diving deep into the power of music-driven tourism.
“The convention was packed with powerful discussions, blending local insights on Anguilla’s ecosystem with global perspectives from Miami, Saudi Arabia, Nova Scotia and more.
“We focused on actionable strategies, covering everything from carnival culture as a tourism driver and practical music trail workshops, to the landmark first meeting to help launch a Caribbean music tourism alliance.”
Check out photos from the event below courtesy of KSharp Media:
