Nordic Connect Conference (NCC) is the industry-facing platform of Estonian Music Week, created to build meaningful professional connections between Canadian artists, presenters, festivals, export organizations and music-sector leaders from Estonia, the Nordic region and the Baltics.
Nordic Connect Conference 2026
On August 21, 2026, VEMU Estonian Museum Canada will present a special edition of Nordic Connect Conference focused on strengthening connections between the music industries of Toronto and Tallinn.
The conference will bring together a curated group of artists, artist representatives, festivals, venues and other music professionals for structured meetings, knowledge exchange, site visits and networking activities. Participants will learn about the Estonian and wider Nordic-Baltic music markets, develop relationships with potential partners and explore opportunities for touring, bookings and future collaboration.
Rather than relying solely on a traditional showcase model, Nordic Connect Conference emphasizes meaningful professional exchange. Its programming is designed to help participants understand one another’s markets, identify areas of mutual interest and build relationships that can continue beyond the event itself.
Thanks to the support of the City of Toronto, four Toronto-based artist managers, booking agents or self-managed artists will be selected through an open call to participate free of charge.
The special edition is presented by VEMU Estonian Museum Canada and in partnership with the City of Toronto, City of Tallinn, KESKUS International Estonian Centre, Music Estonia and Tartu College.
About Nordic Connect Conference
Nordic Connect Conference is the industry-facing platform of Estonian Music Week. It was created to build meaningful professional connections between Canadian artists and music organizations and their counterparts in Estonia, the Nordic region and the Baltics.
Following a successful pilot in 2023, NCC expanded into its first full conference edition in Toronto in 2025. The event brought together 57 delegates from six countries, including 35 Canadian and 22 international participants representing festivals, venues, artist management, media, service organizations, self-managed artists, cultural institutions and government.
The 2025 programme combined artist showcases with panels, facilitated discussions and structured and informal networking. Five Canadian artists performed for delegates, while conference sessions explored touring, artist development, venues, cultural exchange and sustainable approaches to international collaboration.
The conference generated concrete outcomes for participating artists and organizations. Approximately 80% of showcasing artists received booking interest or identified clear next steps following the event, while conversations initiated through NCC continued to develop into touring opportunities, local bookings and new international partnerships.
NCC’s work also extends beyond Toronto. In 2026, VEMU and Nordic Connect Conference participated in Canadian Industry Connect at Tallinn Music Week, creating opportunities for Canadian artists and industry professionals to meet international counterparts and develop a stronger understanding of the Estonian and wider Nordic-Baltic markets.
Together, the 2023 pilot, the expanded 2025 conference and the 2026 international activities have established NCC as a growing platform for export development, cultural exchange and practical collaboration between the Canadian, Estonian and Nordic-Baltic music sectors.
2026 OPEN CALL
Participate in a Special Edition of Nordic Connect Conference
Thanks to the generous support of the City of Toronto, four Toronto-based music professionals will be selected to participate free of charge in a special edition of Nordic Connect Conference (August 21, 2026).
Presented by VEMU Estonian Museum Canada, the conference will connect music professionals from Toronto and Tallinn through curated meetings, knowledge exchange and opportunities to build relationships with venues, festivals and other industry representatives from Estonia and the wider Nordic-Baltic region.
Who Can Apply
The open call is available to professionals based in the City of Toronto, including Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough and York, who are working as:
Artist managers
Artist booking agents
Self-managed artists
Applicants must represent at least one export-ready music project (artist, collective etc.).
What We Mean by Export-Ready
We are looking for experienced applicants representing projects that are prepared to pursue meaningful international opportunities. An export-ready project should have:
A clear and developed artistic concept
An established track record in its home market
A professional team or the capacity to manage international activity
Current promotional materials, recordings and other industry assets
Clear goals for entering or developing relationships in Estonia and the wider Nordic-Baltic region
Artists working in all genres are welcome to apply. The selection jury will prioritize projects that are best aligned with the participating buyers and industry representatives. Further information about the delegation is available in the application form.
How to Apply
Complete the application form and tell us:
About the project or projects you represent
The team you have in place
Why you believe the project would be a strong fit for these markets
Your goals and strategy for Estonia and the wider region
What you hope to achieve through participating in the conference
Application deadline: July 31, 2026
Decisions will be communicated August 5th EOD.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. Applicants do not need to be Estonian or speak Estonian to participate. If you require assistance completing the application or need the application materials in an alternative format, please contact us at ncc@vemu.ca.
Other Participation Opportunities
Are you a venue, festival, record label, publisher or media professional?
Participation in this special edition of Nordic Connect Conference is primarily by invitation. However, music professionals with a specific interest in working with the Estonian music sector are welcome to contact us.
Please introduce yourself, tell us about your work and explain why you would like to participate.