Rose, who is also the event’s chair and co-founder, addressed delegates alongside fellow co-founders Oli Wilson and Sarah Person.
She said the conference was an opportunity to put co-operative principles into practice, as well as meet industry contacts.
“A co-operative is any organisation that’s owned and controlled by its members. Beyond The Music, the members are you,” she said.
“We all came together and said things aren’t right, things aren’t fair. Can we do something about them? Can Greater Manchester lead the way, because we’ve done it before?”
Beyond The Music brings together organisations, industry professionals and audiences through a co-operative model. Co-operatives UK is among its founding members.
Rose highlighted the connections between music, film, television, gaming and content creation. She said the sectors often worked separately despite sharing concerns about fairness, opportunity and control.
Conference delegates and gig audiences will be invited to join the co-operative after the event. Membership will be voluntary, with separate routes for businesses and audiences.
Rose encouraged participants to share their experiences and help shape future editions.
She also recalled the formation of the Music Managers Forum at In The City in 1992, when Tony Wilson provided a space for managers to discuss shared interests.
“Work together, find your way, and let’s make sure that over the next three days… let’s make a difference,” she said.
