That’s a Wrap on The 2026 NIVA Live Policy Summit!

Thank you to all the national and state leaders, policymakers & live professionals who joined us! Check out the highlights below.

 NIVA Live Policy Summit

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance (IIVA) held their second annual NIVA Live Policy Summit, presented by Tixel, on October 26–27, 2026, at HI-FI Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The two-day gathering brought together independent venue operators, promoters, festivals, policymakers, communications experts, and advocacy leaders from across the country to prepare for the decisions and relationships that will shape independent live entertainment in 2027.

The summit focused on building alliances, strengthening bipartisan advocacy, and turning local challenges into policy action. Participants explored how to engage incoming administrations, navigate state legislatures, build productive relationships with local officials, and communicate effectively when facing well-funded opposition. Hands-on exercises provided opportunities to turn real experiences into clear testimony and audience-specific advocacy messages.

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*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 Association
Bill 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 Network
Jessica 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
Tamara Keshecki 
St. George’s Theatre, Director, Grants and Government Relations
PANELISTS

Andrea Hunley 
Member, Indiana State Senate
Janene Jackson 
Partner, Holland & Knight

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Sean Watterson 
Chair, Cleveland Independent Venue Association
Don 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 Group
Dan Combs 
Partner, DCI Group
Audrey Fix Schaefer 
Head of Communications, I.M.P. and NIVA

WORKSHOP FACILITATOR

Kendall Gilvar

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.