Don’t Just Build a Fanbase, Build a Community

Most artists and creators spend years building followers, but followers don’t always turn into real support. In this session, Popmantra founder Sly Roque breaks down the difference between attention and true community, and why the future of fan engagement is built around belonging, repeat experiences, and real-world connection.

This presentation explores how artists can turn live events into long-term fan ecosystems by rewarding loyalty, recognizing real supporters, and creating experiences people want to come back to.
Sly will also give a live walkthrough of Popmantra, a platform designed to help artists and event hosts transform real-world attendance into community access, perks, and deeper fan engagement.

Topics include:

• Followers vs fans
• Why audiences don’t always turn into community
• The psychology of belonging in music culture
• Building repeat attendance and fan loyalty
• Turning events into ecosystems
• The future of artist communities and fan engagement

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:
Sly Roque is a branding expert, creative strategist, and founder of Popmantra, a platform focused on helping artists, event hosts, and cultural communities turn real-world attendance into long-term fan engagement and belonging.

With over 14 years of experience across music, entertainment, branding, and digital culture, Sly has worked with artists, startups, and entertainment platforms to build culturally resonant brands and experiences. Her work sits at the intersection of culture and emerging technology, blending community building with innovations in AI, Web3, and blockchain.

In addition to her work in entertainment and tech, Sly is also a professor at HCC, where she teaches marketing through the lens of AI, blockchain, and emerging digital technologies. Through Popmantra, she continues her mission of making technology feel more human, accessible, and community-driven.