Reflections on the 103rd International Convention

July 1, 2026

Tino Gagliardi  -  AFM International President

I have just returned from Ottawa, Ontario, where delegates from across the United States and Canada gathered for the 103rd AFM Convention. This convention marked our first return to Canada for an international legislative session since 1973. It was a week of fierce democracy, intense debate, and common purpose, and I could not be prouder of the work we accomplished together to chart the next three years of our Federation.

Conventions are not vacations; they are demanding working sessions where the democratic backbone of our union is tested and strengthened. Over four days, your elected delegates engaged directly with the existential realities facing the modern musician. We did not shy away from the tough conversations. Our industry stands at a critical crossroads, and the choices made on the convention floor reflect a collective determination to create a union that will grow and support all musicians.

We were also reminded that our fight is global and deeply interconnected. We were honored to be joined by an incredible slate of labor leaders and industry partners from across the globe, including representatives from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the AFL-CIO, the Musicians’ Union (UK), the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), IATSE, Actors’ Equity, and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Together with allies from the AFL-CIO Department of Professional Employees (DPE), the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, SoundExchange, and the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), their presence underscored our vital role within the broader entertainment and labor movements.

A cornerstone of our week was celebrating our collective progress. Delegates proudly recognized our newest player conference, the Freelance Musicians Association (FMA), ensuring independent players have representation within our Federation’s governance. We also took time to honor the incredible work being done on the ground. The 2026 Organizing Awards highlight the inspiring, grassroots campaigns that continue to bring new musicians into our union family. The AFM Diversity Awards champion inclusion and diversity and honor locals and individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity.

Furthermore, delegates rigorously debated and enacted essential structural recommendations and bylaw changes designed to modernize our operations. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of the delegates who volunteered their time, energy, and passion in Ottawa—your engagement remains the bedrock of our union.

The democratic process proved that while our Federation is vastly diverse, spanning differing geographic regions and musical genres, we are undivided in our core mission. Delegates challenged ideas and refined strategies, but ultimately united behind a shared vision to build power and equity for every working musician.

The message from the convention floor was unmistakable: our strength depends on expanding our ranks. The strategic planning we undertook over the last three years has set a clear path for the future of our union. There is no time to slow down or backtrack; we must remain unified as we move forward.

Driven by this vision, I am fully committed to working with our newly elected International Executive Board to organize musicians from all genres—whether they work in orchestras, in clubs, in theaters, on the road, or in music education—to grow our membership, secure better protections, and build a stronger Federation.

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