For more than two decades, our volunteers have been critical to the success of our events. Whether you are a seasoned returning volunteer or attending for the first time, become a part of our stellar team working to make IBMA World of Bluegrass a world-class music industry event!
IBMA offers a variety of opportunities and price points for agents, labels, artists, and corporate partners to sponsor showcases throughout the week.
Sponsored Showcases – Promote your brand alongside one of our our showcase opportunities. Partner with us for an existing slot or curate your own showcase lineup!
The following 2023 IBMA World of Bluegrass® applications are now closed:
Official Showcase – The premier platform for introducing talent and new material to the bluegrass community.
Songwriter Showcase – Spotlighting ten selected songwriters or songwriting teams.
IBMA Bluegrass Live! Street Stages – Multiple stages stretching down Fayetteville Street with 200,000 attendees.
International Band Performance Grant Program – Provides financial assistance and additional performance opportunities to non-U.S. bands.
The central gathering place where over 12,000 visitors browse the latest industry wares, conduct business, and network. The Exhibit Hall features a wide variety of vendors, gear, services, and products for the bluegrass professional and fan!
As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for the bluegrass music industry to find meaningful ways to reconnect and continue to conduct business on the leading edge of product innovation, ongoing changes to our industry, and consumer trends.
Choose from Business Conference, Music Festival, or Full-Week exhibitor packages to tailor your engagement with the best audiences in your business!
Our festival brings thousands of attendees across the world to the streets of Raleigh to enjoy music, food & beverage, arts & crafts, family fun, and more! Sections of Fayetteville Street will be closed off during Friday & Saturday for our main thoroughfare of vendors and activities.
2023 applications now closed
The Bluegrass Live! Art Market, presented by Artsplosure, is a showcase designed to recognize our talented and enthusiastic art community and feature unique artisans from across the United States. Local artists, craftsmen, and those who sell works that will appeal to a music-loving audience are encouraged to participate. If you are interested in applying for the Artsplosure Art Market, CLICK HERE.
Applications open until August 10
Music and networking for all ages!
The following 2023 IBMA World of Bluegrass® applications are now closed::
Have an idea for an IBMA World of Bluegrass session? Proposals can be submitted by bluegrass and general music industry professionals. Proposals may be considered for the IBMA Business Conference OR for IBMA Bluegrass Live! (Convention Center educational and workshop sessions, not stage performances).
2023 Proposals now closed!
Recognizing outstanding achievement and pioneering efforts in bluegrass music.
MORE INFOHonoring forerunners and ambassadors for bluegrass music.
MORE INFORecognizing artists and entrepreneurs who are in the early years of their careers.
MORE INFOBluegrass values of authenticity, family, and community reflect well on your brand when you partner with the IBMA.
IBMA World of Bluegrass has grown to over 223,000 attendees and over $12 million in annual economic impact over six years in Raleigh, North Carolina.
We offer a diverse range of advertising & sponsorship opportunities. Activate your brand on the largest platform for bluegrass music in the world!
For more information, email [email protected].
Flatpicking Guitar Contest hosted at IBMA World of Bluegrass®
#pickingfortheprize
IBMA and Martin Guitar are partnering to present a guitar contest hosted at IBMA World of Bluegrass®!
Martin Guitars is a longtime Presenting Sponsor of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Exhibit Hall. This year, we are excited to feature our partner by hosting the Picking for the Prize Guitar contest and giveaway at World of Bluegrass® 2023.
This is an online flatpicking contest like you’ve never seen before! Five finalists will be chosen from an online submission process to appear and compete LIVE at this year’s World of Bluegrass® in Raleigh, North Carolina, Friday morning, September 29. See below for full details and Official Contest Rules.
IBMA is also teaming up with bluegrass flatpicker extraordinaire and YouTube personality Marcel Ardans who is this year’s World of Bluegrass® Artist in Residence. Who better than the Lessons With Marcel team to review submissions from flatpickers all around the world and serve as the judging panel?
The contest opens Monday, July 17, 2023 at 10:00:00 a.m. ET and closes August 21, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
The GRAND PRIZE is Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, a guitar lesson with Marcel Ardans, and one (1) conference registration for World of Bluegrass 2024.
The winner will have the opportunity to play a song or short set, as time allows, after the announcement and presentation of the guitar, on Friday, September 29, 2023 on the Workshop Stage at the World of Bluegrass® Event.
First runner up: World of Bluegrass merch prize pack and one (1) conference registration for World of Bluegrass 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: Chosen finalists do not receive any travel expenses, arrangements or lodging.
WINNER SELECTION: Five (5) finalists will be selected by the Artist in Residence and his team, at their sole and absolute discretion from among all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period based on the Judging Criteria. The five (5) finalists will perform and be judged at the Finalist Selection Event Friday, September 29, 2023 on the Workshop Stage at the World of Bluegrass® Event to select the top two (2) performances as grand prize winner and first runner-up winner. Finalists can perform the same traditional tune they initially submitted online or they can choose a different traditional fiddle tune to perform.
