SWRFA 2026 - Sep. 23-27

The 27th Annual Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference, held in Austin TX is a networking event for musicians and industry professionals.

ABOUT SWRFA:

The Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build and strengthen the community around folk music and songwriting. Each year, we present a conference in Austin, TX which connects artists, presenters, radio DJs, and fans to the rich, living tradition of folk music in our region, which covers Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico

The SWRFA Conference held annually at the Holiday Inn – Midtown in Austin, Texas. Registration includes 2 lunches, 2 dinners and Sunday brunch. Keep coming back to check on updates, OR sign up for the List serve mentioned below to be notified as changes are posted.

When you pick up your registration information, if you are a songwriter, you will be encouraged to draw a ‘song assignment’. Then you would write a song based on that prompt during the weekend. Everyone that finishes a song shares it on Sunday morning during Brunch. It is one of my favorite things I do all year!

You can also sign up for mentoring sessions in this area. You can buy $1 raffle tickets to take home Folk Alliance registrations to the many other Regional and the International Conferences, instruments, music business services and many more choices. If you would like to contribute an item let me know at dalis@swfolkalliance.org

Our Exhibit Area is open and free for all registrants to display. It is also right by the Registration are and the panel/seminar break out rooms.

Please encourage your friends, family and fans to attend the Official Showcases on Friday and Saturday nights in the hotel ballroom from 7:30- 10PM. The cost for each night to hear 8 artists is just $20.

All registered artists may participate in the Wednesday Night early event at New World Deli in Austin. Name in the jar, do one song, meet lots of folks that will be at the Conference, eat drink and have a great time. Thursday is Open mic and there is a buffet dinner provided by Rockport Songwriters Association. Because we have grown beyond every artist getting to take advantage of every opportunity (good to grow but comes with compromises always), if you have an Official Showcase please do not put your name to be drawn for the Open Mics. Of course do In-Room Showcases, but in reality no one needs more than 3 total.