FAI 2026: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
January 21-25, 2026
- FAI 2026
- Artists
- Attending
- partners
Host a Private Showcase
Create performance opportunities for incredible artists
Sawyer Fredericks Private ShowcaseWhy host a Private Showcase?
Private Showcase Hosts Terms & Conditions (.pdf)
FAI is one of the few music industry conferences that offers everyone in attendance the opportunity to present independent showcases in the host hotel. This also allows all artists to play self-presented sets for attending industry representatives.
Hosting a Private Showcase Room
Private Showcases are not open to the public. You must register for the conference to perform, attend, or host any Private Showcases. Any registrant can apply to become a Private Showcase Host (examples: labels, organizations, agents, artists, etc).
Private Showcases take place Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 pm ET to 3 am ET, primarily in guest rooms and suites.
All hosts must first apply for a room. Then each individual room is assigned to the host, who in turn books and schedules performances of registered conference attendees.
Hosts must pay a $159 USD to apply for a standard/un-amplified room or $259 USD to apply for an amplified room (premium room or suite). The application fee is non-refundable; however, FAI will refund the $100 premium upgrade if placed in a regular room. This fee is separate from the cost of the room, chair rental, bed removal, hospitality, and conference registration.
Hosts are required to program a room for a minimum of three (3) nights in a regular guest room. Suite holders are required to program a room for four (4) nights. If a suite holder wants to present for three nights, FAI will consider exceptions on a case by case basis based on a commitment to exhibiting, advertising, or sponsorship. Please contact our Private Showcase Coordinator at privateshowcase@folk.org if you have any questions about the process as a host.
Artists are limited to six (6) Private Showcases. Every host is responsible for reiterating the private showcase limits to artists.
Room Fees
These room fees are separate from the application fees.
Room Type / Floors
Price per Night
Estimated Total
Standard Guest Room
Floors 9 through 12
$199 USD/night
3 night minimum
$706 USD
Premium Room
Floors 9 through 12
$240 to $485 USD/night
4 night minimum
$1105 to $2085 USD
Executive Suite*
Floors 9 through 12
$530 USD/night
4 night minimum
$2265 USD
Premium Executive Suite*
Floor 8, eight available
$285 to $1250 USD/night
4 night minimum
$1140 to $5000 USD
(taxes/fees included)
*Suites are only available to hosts who have hosted a room in the past and are first offered to those who hosted the previous year. A waitlist is managed by the Private Showcase Coordinator.
Other Optional Fees
- Bed Removal – $200 USD (flat fee for each room)
- Chair Rental – $10 USD/chair
Food and Beverage
External food and beverage is allowed in hotel guest rooms on the 9th through 12th floors. Eighth floor Premium Executive Suites are not allowed to have external food and beverage, and must go through the hotel food and beverage for refreshments for their rooms. Folk Alliance International will facilitate this process.
Postering
- Only Private Showcase Hosts are permitted to hang posters on the Private Showcase floors.
- Postering is only allowed on the Private Showcase floors.
- FAI will designate sections of the hallway where postering is not permitted for safety and way-finding signage.
- Posters for individual artists will be removed.
- Posters in non-designated areas of the Private Showcase floors will be removed.
- Posters should be specific to their room, listing all artists, times, and room number.
- Private Showcase hosts can begin postering on Wednesday at 11:00 am.
- Painters tape is the only permitted way of hanging posters. All others will be removed. Damage resulting from the use of non-approved tape will be documented and billed to the room host.
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