Milly Olykan is the Vice President, International Relations and Development of the Country Music Association. Nashville-based, Olykan oversees the growth of country music globally through a range of CMA initiatives. Olykan has an integral role in connecting country music communities in Australia, Canada, the U.K., Germany and Scandinavia with that of North America, and solidifying those international bonds through live performance series and more.
In 2022, Olykan assumed the role of Festival Director for the CMA Fest (the largest country music festival in the U.S.), an event to takes over downtown Nashville over four days in June.
Olykan comes to BIGSOUND as a keynote speaker, where she will reflect on the growth of country music as a defining force in mainstream music culture; as well as her storied career from her beginnings in New Zealand, through to her formative years spent with entertainment company AEG Presents, including her key role in the launch and development of Country to Country (C2C) the UK and Europe’s largest country music festival, while Vice President of Live Music and Major Arena Events.
Olykan is joined by Natalie Waller, Head of ABC Music & Events and ARIA Chairperson Of The Board.
