Ontario is Canada’s most populated province–with eight of the top 20 largest metropolitan cities, 40% of the country’s population calls Ontario home. And when it comes to geography, it is the second-largest province in total area (and fourth-largest when you add in the Northern territories).

So it may come as no surprise that there are two music industry associations in the province: MusicOntario in Toronto and Music and Film in Motion (part of Cultural Industries Ontario North) in Sudbury. And while each organization has its own membership, programs, and services, they do come together in other ways to share resources and partner on different initiatives (not to mention that they both have a seat on the CCMIA board).

In May 2016, MusicOntario and MFM co-presented “Communities Connect: Thunder Bay.” It was a free industry event, featuring a panel on how to further a music career. In addition to MusicOntario’s Rosalyn Dennett and MFM’s Jen McKerral, both on the ground in the industry and with their members, panelists included Jeremy Giacomin (Paquin Entertainment Agency), manager Stu Anderson (Mighty Cypress Entertainment), Emily Haffenden (licensing, Aporia Records) and Dave Grant and Scott Burke of Thunder Bay rockers Poor Young Things. The event ended with a showcase of Thunder Bay artists Emily Kohne, Nick Sherman, and Greenbank.

The event received great coverage, including from the Chronicle Journal (The business behind the music is in session, by Angi Valente) and the CBC (Mysteries of music business solved at MusicOntario, MFM event in Thunder Bay, Ont., by CBC News).