October 26–27, 2026 | HI-FI Indy | Indianapolis, IN
Open exclusively to the Live independent community and invited guests
NIVA Live Policy Summit
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) will host the 2026 NIVA Live Policy Summit, presented by Tixel, on October 26–27, 2026, at HI-FI Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This year’s Live Policy Summit is intentionally designed as a small, highly interactive advocacy workshop. The summit brings together independent venue operators, promoters, festivals, policymakers, advocacy professionals, communications experts, and industry leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, strengthen advocacy coordination, and build lasting relationships.
Through keynote conversations, practical training sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops, attendees will leave better equipped to advocate for independent live entertainment at the local, state, and federal levels.
Whether participants are meeting with a city council member for the first time or preparing testimony before their state legislature, every session is designed to provide practical tools they can immediately apply in their communities.
This year's summit will focus on:
Building effective relationships with policymakers
Communicating across the political spectrum
Turning personal stories into persuasive advocacy
Understanding the political outlook and new players that will soon take office
Preparing for the policy opportunities and challenges ahead in 2027
Strengthening NIVA's nationwide network of grassroots advocates
*Schedule may be subject to change
Summit Schedule
Monday, October 26
Day One
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch, Intros & Networking
Grab lunch, meet fellow attendees, and connect with independent live advocates from across the country before the afternoon sessions begin.
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Presented by Tixel
Welcome & Setting the State & Local 2027 Agenda: What Matters Most to the Live Community
What should the independent live community prioritize in 2027? Following opening remarks, help shape the conversation through live polling and discussion. Share the challenges facing your community, identify opportunities for progress, and help establish the priorities that will guide our work throughout the summit and beyond.
1:35 PM – 2:35 PM
Presented by Etix
Navigating 22+ New Governors & Executive Branches in 2027
Governors set budgets, shape policy, and lead agencies that affect our stages and communities. Hear from two experts who know governors’ offices from the inside and learn what gets a governor’s attention, who shapes their decisions, and how to build relationships with key staff. Whether your governor is newly elected or returning to office, you’ll leave better prepared to advance support for independent music and live performance in 2027.
PANELISTS
David Quam
Former Deputy Director, National Governors AssociationBill McBride
Former Executive Director, National Governors Association
2:35 PM – 2:50 PM
– – – – Networking Break – – – –
2:50 PM – 4:20 PM
Presented by Eventim
The State Legislative Agenda: Building Music & Live’s Infrastructure State-by-State
Strong relationships and clear testimony can help turn an industry priority into legislative action. Hear from experts who understand state legislatures and learn how to navigate competing priorities, build support among lawmakers, and make a persuasive case for independent music and live performance. Then put those lessons into practice through a mock testimony exercise, with direct feedback on how to make your message clear, credible, and effective.
MODERATOR
Kerri Park
Executive Director, Philadelphia Music Alliance
PANELISTS
Jasper Hendricks III
Executive Director & CEO, Black Legislative Leaders NetworkJessica Post
Former President, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Founder, Vinca Advisors
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM
– – – – Networking Break – – – –
4:35 PM – 6:00 PM
Presented by Ludus
Cities, Counties, & Towns: Leveraging Relationships to Preserve Indie Stages, Up-and-Coming Artists, and Community
Some of the decisions that matter most to independent stages happen closest to home. Local leaders shape the policies, budgets, and development decisions that can help music and live performance thrive. Hear perspectives from inside government and on the front lines of advocacy, with lessons you can bring back to your own city, county, or town. You’ll leave with practical ways to build relationships with local leaders and secure support for independent stages and the communities they serve.
The session includes an interactive workshop to apply these lessons to local advocacy challenges, followed by closing remarks for the day.
MODERATOR
Scott Mohler
Executive Director, Maine Music AlliancePANELISTS
Andrea Hunley
Member, Indiana State SenateJanene Jackson
Partner, Holland & Knight
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Sean Watterson
Chair, Cleveland Independent Venue AssociationDon Pitts
Founder & President, Sound Music Cities
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Presented by Tixel
Happy Hour
Unwind after the afternoon’s sessions, connect with fellow attendees, and keep the conversations going over drinks. Enjoy complimentary beverages provided by Tito's Handmade Vodka, Dogfish Head Brewery, Sun Cruiser Canned Cocktails and Stagewater.
Tuesday, October 27
Day Two
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakfast
Ease into the morning over breakfast and coffee, reconnect with colleagues, and compare notes from Day 1. Programming begins at 9:30 AM.
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Messaging Across the Spectrum: How to Break Through with Conservatives and Liberals Against Billion-Dollar Budgets
How can independent voices earn attention and support when well-funded opponents dominate the conversation? Hear from communications experts about what makes a message persuasive, how to reach policymakers across the political spectrum, and how to make the most of limited resources. Through campaign examples and a guided crisis communications exercise, practice responding under pressure, adapting your message for the right audience, and keeping your advocacy focused on what matters.
PANELISTS
Alexandra Sollberger
Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, Global Strategy GroupDan Combs
Partner, DCI GroupAudrey Fix Schaefer
Head of Communications, I.M.P. and NIVA
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
– – – – Networking Break – – – –
11:20 AM – 12:00 PM
How to Start a Music & Live Entertainment Office
How do you turn a shared vision for your state’s music community into a seat at the table? Hear from the Kentucky chapter leaders who helped secure the creation of the Kentucky Governor’s Music Office. Learn how they organized the industry, built bipartisan relationships, and made the case for dedicated state support. Through practical lessons and audience Q&A, explore what it would take to bring a music and live entertainment office to your own state.
PANELISTS
David Helmers
Founder of Amplify Artist Resource FundJoe Argabrite
President, Britewerk; President, NIVA KentuckyBilly Hardison
Talent Buyer, Danny Wimmer PresentsSebastian Kitchen
Executive Director at Governor's Office of Music
Sponsors
Partners
