Music Managers Forum Aotearoa Announces
Elevate 2026 - Advanced Professional Development for Music Managers Scaling Internationally

Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (MMF), with the support of NZ On Air, is excited to announce Elevate 2026, a two-day in-person Professional Development Workshop for Aotearoa music managers and self-managed artists who have moved beyond the start-up phase and are ready to scale their businesses domestically and internationally.

Building on the strong demand and outcomes of Elevate 2024 - MMF Aotearoa's first professional development workshop for music managers - Elevate 2026 shifts the focus from getting started to scaling up, with a sharp emphasis on international market readiness, territory strategy, brand positioning, data and analytics, deal pathways, and global network building.

Held over Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November in Tāmaki Makaurau, Elevate 2026 will bring together industry experts to share the strategy, tools, and connections managers need to take Aotearoa artists onto the world stage.

Participants will dive into sessions covering:

  • International strategy and market selection

  • International networking that actually works

  • Brand strategy for international fanbases

  • Data, analytics, and audience intelligence

  • Deals and structures across territories

  • Sustainable leadership and wellbeing

“Elevate 2024 showed just how much of a difference focused, peer-driven development can make for the managers shaping our industry. Elevate 2026 takes that further, giving our most experienced managers the international strategy, networks, and tools they need to grow Aotearoa artists on the world stage. We’re hugely grateful to NZ On Air for backing this next step for our sector.” - Joost Langeveld, Chair, MMF Aotearoa

Open to current members of the MMF by application, the workshop will equip participants with the strategy and skills to plan for multi-territory growth, access to trusted practitioners and partners, and a connected cohort of managers to share knowledge and support each other's growth.

APPLY HERE

Applications open today, Wednesday 9th September 2026 and must be submitted by midnight, Wednesday 30th September 2026.

Don't miss this opportunity to build the international strategy, networks, and tools to grow your artists on the world stage.

ELEVATE 2026
Thursday 5th November – Friday 6th November
Tāmaki Makaurau

Key Dates:

Wednesday, September 9: Applications open

Wednesday, September 30: Applications close

Friday, October 9: Applicants notified of outcome

November 5-6: Elevate 2026 workshop

MMF Aotearoa is offering a number of out-of-town grants to assist with travel and accommodation costs for participants located outside of Tāmaki Makaurau. Participants can indicate interest in these grants during the application process.

APPLY HERE

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

MMF Aotearoa members will be selected to participate in the 2026 Elevate programme through an application process.

Applications will be assessed by a review panel, in conjunction with MMF Aotearoa, considering each applicant's track record and clarity of strategy, their potential for wider sector impact, and diversity across genre, region, and identity within the cohort.

All participants will be required to complete a feedback survey upon completion of the programme.

In their application, successful applicants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a track record of management / industry experience beyond the start-up phase, along with current and upcoming career activity that shows they are ready to scale their artist(s) and business, domestically and internationally

  • Articulate their current level of international readiness, or a clear plan for reaching it (for example, target markets, release or touring plans, or existing offshore relationships)

  • Articulate how the various activities in this programme will support their international growth and professional development needs

  • Articulate their career and business goals for the upcoming 12–24 months, particularly in relation to international growth

  • Demonstrate enthusiasm and a commitment to this programme

To be eligible for the Elevate programme, applicants must:

  • Be a current member of MMF Aotearoa (NZ applicants)

  • Be based in Aotearoa New Zealand

  • Currently be managing at least one active artist project that has had a release and/or live plan in the last 12 months

  • Be available to participate in all programme activities

  • Be able to attend all programme dates (Thursday 5 - Friday 6 November 2026)

  • Be able to arrange their own travel to and from the venue

Music Managers Forum Aotearoa is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists, both signed and independent. The MMF Aotearoa is an independent, non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy. The MMF Aotearoa work towards a fairer, honest and more transparent music industry which operates with the highest of integrity in the interests of the artists our members represent.  We aim to represent the wide diversity of voices and backgrounds of music managers and their artists.

NZ On Air is an autonomous government funding agency delivering authentic, meaningful New Zealand public media. Our Music Funding streams support the development, recording, release and promotion of single songs and multi-song projects that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand and have the potential to reach both significant broadcast and online audiences. We do this by funding artists and musicians to professionally record and create audio and video content that resonates and engages with audiences.    

The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa is a government funded organisation that supports the growth of the New Zealand music industry – culturally, economically and globally. The lead agency for the export of New Zealand music through international market development initiatives and the Outward Sound programme, the Music Commission also delivers sector development programmes at home. These include the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme; providing music upskilling tools and resources; the Industry Internship Programme; and producing the annual celebration NZ Music Month.