 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

Register Now

Watch 2025 Recap Video

Setting the State & Local 2027 Agenda: What Matters Most to the Music & Live Performance Community
The State Legislative Agenda: Building Music & Live’s Infrastructure State-By-State
Cities, Counties, & Towns: Leveraging Relationships to Preserve Indie Stages, Up-And-Coming Artists, and Community
Messaging Across The Spectrum: How to Breakthrough with Conservatives and Liberals Against Billion Dollar Budgets
The Starting Line: Making a Plan for National Campaigns & Coordination to Build The Nation’s First Music & Live Infrastructure

 Confirmed Panels & Sessions

Navigating 22+ New Governors & Executive Branches in 2027, presented by Etix

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.

David Quam, Former Deputy Director, National Governors Association
David brings extensive experience working with governors and advancing policy priorities before Congress, state leaders, and federal agencies.

Bill McBride, Former Executive Director, National Governors Association
Bill brings decades of experience in government and bipartisan collaboration, including serving as state-federal director for Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

Cities, Counties, & Towns: Leveraging Relationships to Preserve Indie Stages, Up-And-Coming Artists, and Community, presented by Ludus

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.

Andrea Hunley, Member, Indiana State Senate
Andrea brings experience in policymaking and community leadership, including 11 years as an Indianapolis public school principal and service on the Senate’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.

Janene Jackson, Partner, Holland & Knight
Janene brings extensive D.C. government experience, including serving as a mayoral deputy chief of staff and helping advance the District’s comprehensive ticket resale legislation.

Scott Mohler (Moderator), Executive Director, Maine Music Alliance
Scott brings experience in local government and music advocacy, including chairing the Peaks Island Council and organizing a community coalition to oppose a proposed Live Nation development.