The National Independent Venue Association Announces Registration is Now Open for NIVA ‘25, Presented by Eventbrite
NIVA ‘25 Will Honor Legendary Tour Agent Frank Riley and High Road Touring, and Feature Speakers from Meta, Snapchat, Eventbrite, YouTube Music, Wasserman, Riot Fest, Bandsintown, Billboard, and More
Early bird registration now open, click HERE to register
(January 28, 2025) - The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) announces registration is open for NIVA ‘25 presented by Eventbrite, taking place June 22-25, 2025, in Milwaukee, including early bird registration, available here. All independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers and festivals who complete the State of Live Survey will receive an additional 20% off badge registration.
The premier gathering of the nation’s independent live concert, comedy, promoter, venue, and festival industry, NIVA ‘25 will once again unite the independent live entertainment community with an immersive experience, featuring dynamic programming, educational panels, networking opportunities, live performances, and notable speakers from Meta, Snapchat, YouTube Music, Eventbrite, Wasserman, Riot Fest, BandsinTown, Billboard, and more.
“Each year of this conference, I am inspired by the vision, resilience, and talent within our community,” says Andre Perry, NIVA Board President and Executive Director of the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium. “We gather under one roof to share our best ideas, embrace each other, and drive the industry forward. Bringing NIVA ’25 to Milwaukee is a dream. This city is independent, it’s vibrant, and it’s real. That’s what NIVA is about.”
NIVA ‘25 is presented by Eventbrite, a global events marketplace committed to championing the interests of the independent live entertainment industry. Eventbrite co-chairs Fix the Tix, a coalition that helps drive meaningful change to protect artists, fans, and independent venues by advocating for a better and safer ticketing experience. The company also serves as the exclusive partner of NIVA's Industry Affairs Committee, which helps shape strategy for the broader live entertainment industry on all industry-related issues, initiatives, and programs.
Milwaukee’s selection as the host city underscores its rich history of live entertainment and an array of historic and modern venues. The following participating venues highlight Milwaukee’s charm and contribution to the national independent music scene. NIVA ‘25’s featured member venues include Cactus Club, The Rave/Eagles Club, Falcon Bowl, Linneman's Riverwest Inn, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Miller High Life Theatre, Pabst Theater, Riverside Theater, Summerfest, The Cooperage, The Fitzgerald, Turner Hall Ballroom, Vivarium, Shank Hall, Baird Center, 4 Villa Theater, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
NIVA ‘25 takes place between the first two weekends of Summerfest 2025. NIVA ‘25 attendees will have access to tours of the permanent festival grounds as well as complimentary admission to Summerfest. In addition, a Summerfest headline artist - to be announced at a later date - will deliver a keynote session at the conference.
“The conference continues to be the space where live performances spaces and the people who work in them have a place to meet, learn, and forge stronger connections throughout the year,” says Stephen Parker, NIVA Executive Director. “NIVA strives to be a place where solutions are conceived for the hard issues independent stages are facing in every aspect of their organizations, from booking to the box office. We’re excited to continue to grow the conference as our fourth year brings us to Milwaukee.”
Conference attendees will have access to a robust schedule designed to foster collaboration, learning, and celebration within the live entertainment community. Panels and keynote sessions take place from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day, allowing plenty of time for networking and live entertainment.
NIVA ‘25 kicks off on Sunday evening, June 22, with an exciting opening event at Pabst Theater, presented by Eventim, honoring industry icon Frank Riley and High Road Touring. Featuring great conversation, music, and more surprises, NIVA will pay tribute to Frank and HRT’s contribution to independent stages across the U.S. The evening will set the stage for an engaging and collaborative week with three full days of programming taking place at Miller High Life Theatre and Turner Hall, with a working lounge available all three days presented by AXS.
On Monday, June 23, activities begin with an operations networking session, followed by programming sessions and keynotes throughout the afternoon. The day concludes with a happy hour presented by Etix and the highly-anticipated NIVA Brew City Bash at The Rave / Eagle’s Club.
Tuesday, June 24, starts with a booking networking session presented by VenuePilot. A key highlight includes the Agent/Manager/Booker meet-up, alongside programming and happy hour at Turner Hall, presented by Prekindle.
NIVA ‘25 wraps up on Wednesday, June 25, at Miller High Life Theatre with a ticketing networking session presented by CashorTrade and additional programming at Turner Hall. The Marcus Performing Arts Center will host a happy hour, presented by Eventbrite bringing the conference to an inspiring close.
More details on conference programming, exciting panels, and speakers to be announced soon.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration is open here. All conference registrants will be served breakfast and lunch each day. They will also experience an open bar at happy hours each day and at the opening night party. All conference attendees will be invited to a special dinner event on Monday evening.
Non-member conference tickets are also available.
Additional information about registration, media credential applications, and host hotels is available here.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
NIVA '25 is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our sponsors, including Eventbrite, Eventim, Live Music Society, AXS, Tito's, Etix, Prekindle, VenuePilot, CashorTrade, VOLUME.COM, Cast & Crew, American Specialty Insurance, Slow & Low, Opendate, Prism, Stage Water, HUB International, InstantEncore, and Leap Event Technologies.
Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our partners, NITO, NIVF, Static Eye Design Co, Backstage Social, Maia Olmstead, Visit Milwaukee, MusiCares, Good Land Supply Co., Bandsintown, Pollstar, Mercury, and Marauder, whose collaboration and support contribute significantly to the conference's success.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
CONTACT
Lucky Break PR
Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
Mike Stommel, Mike@luckybreakpr.com
