By Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association

Data drives decisions. If we want independent live music to have a seat at the table when policies, funding, and industry trends are set, we need the numbers to back up what we already know: that these stages, these shows, these venues matter.

Get ready to belly up to the bar in Polka City. Registration for the National Independent Venue Association’s NIVA’25 in Milwaukee is now open.

NIVA is undertaking the first national economic research study of the independent live entertainment sector and is asking for participation in its “State of Live” survey.