That’s a Wrap on The Inaugural NIVA LIve Policy Summit!
Thank you to all the national and state leaders, policymakers & live professionals who joined us from 25+ states! Check out the highlights below.
NIVA Live Policy Summit
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance (IIVA) held the inaugural NIVA Live Policy Summit, presented by Tixel, on October 15 and 16 at HI-FI Indianapolis.
The two-day summit brought together policymakers, independent venue operators, artists, industry stakeholders, and community leaders from across the country to advance practical, bipartisan policy solutions that support artists, fans, independent live venues, festivals, and promoters at the state and local levels.
National and state organizations engaged in discussions on how to put in place resale price caps in states across the country. The consensus at the NIVA Policy Summit was clear: the bipartisan movement toward face value ticket resale is the future.
*Schedule may be subject to change
Summit Schedule
Wednesday, October 15
Day One
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch, Introductions & Networking
Fuel up and connect. Grab lunch, meet fellow attendees, and swap ideas before diving into the afternoon sessions.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
OPENING SESSION
State of Live: Why Live Entertainment Policy Matters
We’ll kick off the summit with a look at the State of Live, nationally and in Indiana, revealing the impact and challenges of the independent live sector. Learn why policy decisions at every level shape the future of live music and why your voice in these conversations matters.
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Sustaining Live: State Incentives and Live Performance Funds
Several states, including Tennessee and Texas, have passed innovative funding bills such as live performance funds and alcohol tax rebate programs to strengthen their music ecosystems. This session will examine how these laws work, the policy goals behind them, and the impact they have on venues, festivals, and local economies. We’ll explore trends in similar legislation across the country and discuss what it takes to bring these initiatives from proposal to reality.
MODERATOR
Jim Rawlinson
Director of READI, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
PANELISTS
Chris Cobb
President, Bonafide Live; President, NIVA TN; Founder, Music Venue Alliance Nashville, Co-founder, D TourJaclyn Zapata
Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program SpecialistRepresentative Kyle Pierce
State Representative, Indiana House of Representatives
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Live Performance Fund Brainstorming
Roll up your sleeves and shape the future of live. Join an open discussion on how a live performance fund could work in your state and what it would take to make it happen.
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
– – – – – Break – – – – –
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Ticketing 101: The Landscape and Legislation
This session offers a clear introduction to the live event ticketing ecosystem, covering key market players, industry challenges, and the laws that shape ticket sales and resales. Panelists will explain core terms, outline the major policy issues including consumer protections, speculative ticketing, and fee transparency, and review legislative developments at local, state, and federal levels. Attendees will leave with a grounded understanding of how the system works and the provisions shaping its future.
MODERATOR
Audrey Fix Schaefer
Director of Communications, I.M.P.
PANELISTS
Senator Dawn Gile
Senator, Maryland Senate District 33; Attorney, SRD Legal GroupSenator Mattie Daughtry
President, Maine State Senate; Senator, Maine Senate District 23; Co-Owner, Moderation Brewing
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Ticketing Brainstorming
Turn ideas into action. Work together to map out strategies for improving ticketing policy and practice in your community.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Cities and Live Policy: Strengthening Local Partnerships
Local policy directly impacts live entertainment through zoning, noise regulation, transportation, alcohol laws, and more. This session brings together leaders working across live entertainment and municipal policy to share strategies for engaging with city and state decision-makers. Topics include sound ordinance negotiations, infrastructure planning, and artist access needs, and more. Participants will learn effective ways to address shared challenges and foster partnerships that support both cultural vitality and economic growth.
MODERATOR
Howie Kaplan
Owner, Howlin’ Wolf; Former NOLA Nightmayor
PANELISTS
Megan Van Voorhis
Director of Convention & Cultural Services, Sacramento (CA)Brian Block
Founder & President, Sound City Planning; Entertainment Services Manager, City of Austin (TX)Councilor Vop Osili
President, Indianapolis City-County Council
5:45 PM – 6:30 PM
Cities & Live Policy Brainstorming
Share experiences, identify local priorities, and workshop practical solutions for issues like sound ordinances, transportation, zoning, and artist access. Leave with actionable next steps tailored to your community.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Happy Hour
Unwind, connect, and keep the conversations going over drinks. Music by DJ Topspeed.
Thursday, October 16
Day Two
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakfast
Grab a bite to eat and ease into the day while connecting with fellow attendees.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Navigating the PRO Licensing Landscape
Performing rights organizations ensure songwriters and publishers are compensated when music is performed publicly but their licensing systems can be difficult and time-consuming for independent stages to navigate. This session will demystify how PROs operate, outline venue obligations, and explain key differences between organizations. Panelists will share strategies for managing costs, meeting compliance requirements, and approaching negotiations effectively, giving attendees practical tools to handle licensing in a legally sound and financially sustainable way.
PANELISTS
Robert Metius
Partner, Meitus & StrohmTobi Parks
CEO, TourTech and Owner, xBk
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Closing SESSION
Growing the Coalition for Change
Passing meaningful live entertainment policy requires broad, united support. This session will focus on how to build coalitions that bring together legislators from both sides of the aisle, nonprofit and for-profit partners, and community stakeholders. We’ll explore strategies for engaging fans, artists, and business owners in hearings, meetings, and outreach campaigns, as well as how to reach the right decision-makers at the right time. Attendees will leave with practical approaches to relationship building and mobilization that can turn the ideas and policies discussed throughout the summit into real-world wins.
MODERATOR
Kendall Gilvar
Strategic Communications and Project Manager, National Independent Venue Association
PANELISTS
Kevin Erickson
Director, Future of Music CoalitionScott Mohler
Executive Director, Maine Music AllianceMala Sharma
Senior Arts Advisor, Georgia Music PartnersSean Watterson
Senior Consultant, Hospitality Sector Recovery Initiative; President & Co-Owner, Happy Dog Cleveland
Sponsors
Partners
Press Releases & Media
NIVA Press Releases
Media Coverage
