The National Independent Venue Association Unveils Its Full Program Lineup For NIVA ‘24 Taking Place June 2-5 In New Orleans
The Live Independent Entertainment Industry Will Gather in The Big Easy for its Third Annual Conference Featuring Members of Eventbrite, National Independent Talent Organization, Wasserman, United Talent Agency, Live Music Society, Spotify, Meta, Rolling Stone, Lyte, Billboard, Pollstar, and Hundreds of Independent Venues and Promoters from Across the Country
Attendees Will Be Treated to Live Entertainment Nightly Including Performances By George Porter Jr. & Runnin Pardners, Paul Reed Smith’s Eightlock, Rebirth Brass Band, Tank and The Bangas and a Second Line Street Parade!
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NEW ORLEANS (May 22, 2024) – The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) unveils its full slate of programming with panels featuring industry leaders, journalists, recording artists, and NIVA members. NIVA ‘24 — the third annual gathering of the independent live concert, comedy, promoter, and festival industry, will convene in New Orleans, June 3 - 5 with an Opening Party presented by Lyte on June 2. The conference will highlight NIVA’s New Orleans chapter, with programming taking place across iconic NOLA venues including Generations Hall, Republic NOLA, Preservation Hall, and Tipitina’s.
NIVA ‘24 will present an array of sessions addressing current issues affecting the live entertainment field, spanning marketing, ticketing, safety, and advocacy. Participants will be treated to engaging dialogues led by industry leaders and keynote speakers with many chances to network. For more information and full schedule go to https://www.nivassoc.org/conference. For those who can’t attend NIVA ’24 in person, the conference will be livestreamed. To register for the livestream and for more information, go to Volume.com.
NIVA '24 featured sessions include:
Monday, June 3 at Republic
Fireside Chat with VOLUME
Moderator: Stephen Parker, Executive Director, NIVA
Panelists:Greg Nacron, Chief Operating Officer, Volume
Howie Schnee, Director, Artist & Venue Partnerships, Volume; Co-Owner, CEG Presents
Opening Session & The State of Independent Live Entertainment
Stephen Parker, Executive Director, NIVA
Jamie Loeb, Conference Chair
Andre Perry, NIVA Board President
Hal Real, Founder & CEO, World Cafe Live; National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) Board President
Julia Hartz, Co-Founder and CEO, Eventbrite
First Party Data – What Is It and How Do I Get It?
Moderator: Diana Gremore, Founder, RealCount
Panelists:Luke Pierce, Artist Manager and Producer, WORKS Entertainment
Aaron Bare, Chief Marketing Officer, Etix
Shaun Verreault, Business Development Manager, Tradable Bits
Dhruv Chopra, Founder and CEO, Elsewhere
Fireside Chat featuring Nick Nuciforo, United Talent Agency
Moderator: Shane Shuhart, Vice President of Booking/Event Programming, Nederlander Concerts
Keynote Speaker: Nick Nuciforo, Partner & Head of Comedy Touring + Live Events, United Talent Agency
Marketing & Ticketing - BFFs
Moderator: Evelyn Thompson, VP, Marketing, LytePanelists:
Maria Valenzuela, Ticketing Assistant, Nederlander Concerts
Jamie Loeb, SVP, Marketing, Nederlander Concerts
Tori Powers, Director of Communications, World Cafe Live
Mallorie McRea, Director of Operations, World Cafe Live
The Big Payoff: Knowing Your Numbers
Moderator: Kira Karbocus, Chief Operating Officer; Producer, Newport Festivals Foundation
Panelists:Mike Killeen, Chief Financial Officer, First Avenue
Gena Gordon, Chief Financial Officer, I.M.P. / 9:30 Club / The Anthem / Lincoln Theatre / Merriweather / The Atlantis
Frankie Tesch, Controller, Pabst Theater Group
Kerri Park, Chief Operating Officer, World Cafe Live
Monday, June 3 at Generations Hall
Operations Networking Sessions presented by Protect Group
Facilitator: Jason Mastrine, Global Head of Strategy, Ticketing, Refund Protect (Protect Group)
The State of Music Journalism and How That’s Impacting Filling Venues with Fans and Artist Discovery
Moderator: Ethan Millman, Staff Writer, Rolling Stone
Panelists:Emilio Herce, Publicist, Q Prime Music Management
Jan Ramsey, Publisher / Editor-in-Chief, OffBeat Media
Lisa White, Director of Communications, Nederlander Concerts
Kelsey Kaufman, Owner and Operator, Cactus Club
NonProfit Roundtable
Moderators:Hal Real, Founder & CEO, World Cafe Live; Board President, NIVF
Laura Wilson, Head of Live Music, Bohemian Foundation; Treasurer, NIVF
PROs: What Are We Paying For? Why? And What Can We Do to Make Things Better?
Moderator: Tobi Parks, Owner xBk; Co-Founding Member, D Tour
Panelists:Neeta Ragoowansi, President, Music Managers Forum - US
Dayna Frank, President and CEO, First Avenue Productions; Board Member, National Independent Venue Association
Bee Taylor, Artist/Songwriter, Bee Taylor Music
Artistic Alchemy: Why Festivals are Music to Our Ears
Moderator: Laurie Kirby Esq., Owner & Founder, FestForums
Panelists:Will Suter, Co-Founder, All Things Go
Eugenié "EJ" Encalarde, President, Festival Productions, Inc. of New Orleans
Emily Madero, President and CEO, French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Darin Atwater, Artistic Director, Monterey Jazz Festival
Mike Sosin, Director, Festivals, Wasserman Music
How Can You Beat BIG? Making Your Building More Attractive to Both Artists and Fans
Moderator: Gary Witt, CEO and Co-Owner, Pabst Theater Group
Panelists:Carly Pritchard, Vice President of Booking, Jade Presents
Karim Karefa, Assistant General Manager of the 9:30 Club and the Liaison of Operations for the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre and The Atlantis
Trey Many, Agent, Wasserman
Bruce Finkelman, Founder and Managing Partner, 16 on Center
Tuesday, June 4 at Republic
Beignets & Cocktails with Certified Harassment Training presented by NIVF, Calling All Crows and Spotify
Presenter: Maggie Arthur, Director of Here for the Music, Calling All Crows
Ticket Tyranny: The Unseen Grip of Market Dominance
Moderator: Dean Budnick, Editor-in-Chief, Relix
Panelists:Ant Taylor, CEO, Lyte
Lee Hepner, Legal Counsel, American Economic Liberties Project
Kevin Erickson, Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition
Gary Witt, CEO and Co-Owner, Pabst Theater Group
Have Dates to Fill? Think Out of the Box with Alternative Programming
Moderator: Taylor Mims, Editor, Billboard
Panelists:Chad Kampe, Owner, Flip Phone Events
Jeez Loueez, Event Producer, Burlesque Entertainer and Instructor, Jeezy's Juke Joint- A Black Burly-Q Revue, Hi-Chick Productions, LLC
Rich Collins, Entertainer, Imagination Movers
Bad Boy (Fred) RedBean (Plunkett), Comedian, Nawlins Comedy Gumbeaux
Why Independent Stages Matter — Leveraging NIVA’s Reach to Drive Artists and Audiences to Indie Venues, Festivals, and Promoters
Moderator: Stephen Parker, Executive Director, NIVA
Panelists:Fabrice Sergent, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bandsintown
Jamie Loeb, SVP, Marketing, Nederlander Concerts
Jenny Perkins, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Texas Music Office
Joshua Albrecht, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Milwaukee
Amplifying Voices: Advocating for State Funding for Music Venues
Intro by: Louisiana State Lt. Gov. William H Nungesser
Moderator: Lisa Gedgaudas, City of Denver
Panelists:Chip Adams, Director, Texas Music Office
Julie Baker, CEO, California Arts Advocates
Jamie Kent, Founder, Backstage Strategies
Lacey Chataignier, Louisiana Music Program Director, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
Keynote: *Artist Talk* In Conversation with | Ivan Neville, Kermit Ruffins, Tank, Rob Mercurio
Moderator: David Kunian, Curator, New Orleans Jazz Museum
Panelists:Kermit Ruffins, Musician, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers; Kermit's Treme Mother In Law Lounge
Tarriona Ball, Artist/Poet/Musician, "Tank and The Bangas"
Rob Mercurio, Musician, “Galactic” and Club Owner, Tipitina's
Ivan Neville, Keyboards / Vocals, Dumpstaphunk
What’s New in the World of Marketing?
Moderator: Jamie Loeb, SVP, Marketing, Nederlander Concerts
Panelists:
Ariel Hyatt, Founder, Cyber PR
Jon Ostrow, Associate Director, Growth & Discovery, Live Events, Spotify
Ashley Bradbury, Senior Client Partner, Entertainment, Meta
Brian Bauer, President, Bauer Entertainment Marketing
Tuesday, June 4 at Generations Hall
Booking Networking Session Presented by VenuePilot
Facilitator: Jack Randall, President and Agent, The Kurland Agency
Fireside Chat with Fever
Moderator: Stephen Parker, Executive Director, NIVA
Panelist: Mariano Otero, Senior Vice President, Fever
What About Us? How Small Venues with Small Budgets Can Still Get It Done
Moderator: Ashley Ryan, Vice President of Marketing, First Avenue
Panelists:Adam Valen, Director of Marketing, Drusky Entertainment
Taylor Winchester, Director of Revenue, found.ee
Christian Hee, Vice President of Marketing, Z2 Entertainment, Fox Theatre, Boulder Theater, Aggie Theatre
Katie Nowak, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships, TBA Agency
What Can We Do to Boost Bar Sales?
Moderator: Wendy Pearl, Senior Writer, VenuesNow and Pollstar
Panelists:Sean Lynch, President, 1111 Presents / Pub Station
David Mukpo, CEO and Co-Founder, Pamos Beverage Co.
David Solomon, CEO and Founder, DLS Events
Donna Westmoreland, Chief Operating Officer, I.M.P.
Revolutionizing City Development: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for the Live Sector
Moderator: Howie Kaplan, Owner, Howlin’ Wolf
Panelists:Allison Harnden, Pittsburgh’s Nighttime Economy Manager, Nighttime Economy Culture & Policy Alliance
Ben Van Houten, Director of Nightlife Initiatives, SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Ryan Murphy, Managing Director, tvg Hospitality; General Manager, Orion Amphitheater
Agent vs Promoter? Help Us Help You
Moderator: Wendy Pearl, Senior Writer, VenuesNow and Pollstar
Panelists:Avery McTaggart, Partner, TBA Agency
Jack Randall, President and Agent, The Kurland Agency
Jake Samuels, Director of Music, 16" on Center Chicago
Grace Blake, Programming Director, City Winery
Group Purchasing - Get Huge Discounts, Thanks to Your NIVA Membership
Moderator: Brad Grossman, Chief Operating Officer, Helium Comedy
Panelists:Rob Cottman, Director of Food & Beverage, World Cafe Live
Marissa Muzik, National Account Manager, Una
Mark Langer, Senior Vice President, Director of Business Development, ICON International
Alisha Edmonson, Co-Owner, Songbyrd
Wednesday, June 5 at Republic
Beyond the Stage: Venues and Promoters Creatively Bring Their Expertise to Community Programs Outside Their Four Walls
Moderator: Rachelle Love, Director of Education and Community Outreach, Midtopia
Panelists:Shahida Mausi, President/CEO, The Right Productions, Inc.
Jessie Hartke, President, Midtopia
Rev. Moose, Managing Partner, Marauder; Founding & Emeritus Executive Director, NIVA
Ben Jaffe, Creative Director, Preservation Hall
Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye, Chief Creative Officer and Artistic Director, Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Viva Variety: A Latin American Panel on Live Entertainment, Music, and Comedy
Moderator: Leila Cobo, Chief Content Officer Latin/Español, Billboard
Panelists:Alicia Zertuchi, CEO and Booker, Grupo Musical De Cumbia
Carlos Aybar, CEO, Mishu Music
Jesica Gerbautz, CEO,Pnk Moon Productions; Board Member, NIVA
Moises Gomez, President, MG Music Group
Case Studies in Creativity: How Small Venues Make It All Work (Live Music Society)
Moderator: Cat Henry, Executive Director, Live Music Society
Panelists:Robin Johnson, Founder and General Manager, Stone Church (Vermont)
Rachael Arrington, General Manager, Maple Leaf Bar
Summer Jager, Owner, Ivy Room
Lani Torres, Co-Owner and Talent Buyer, Ivy Room
Sean Watterson, Co-Owner, The Happy Dog; Chief Legal Officer, D Tour
Sponsorships Aren’t Just for the Big Dogs
Moderator: Farrah Usmani, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
Panelists:Matt Ciarleglio, Managing Partner, Empty Bottle
Grace Notary, Manager of Business Development, Accounts, Marketing Friendly Marketing and 16 On Center Chicago
Hazel Bagwell, Founder, The Haze Organization
Who’s Going To Be The Next Big Thing? Partnering with Agencies to Showcase Emerging Talent
Moderator: Taylor Mims, Editor, Billboard
Panelists:Hunter Motto, Creative Director, The Crocodile
Nathaniel Marro, Managing Director, NITO
Jordan Anderson, Talent Booker, Troubadour
Shane Tobin, Vice President of Partnerships, Sofar Sounds
Alexis Cueva, Artist Relations, Amazon Music
Fireside Chat featuring: Marsha Vlasic, Vice Chair, Music Division, Independent Artist Group
Wednesday, June 5 at Generations Hall
Marketing Networking Session Presented by NIVA
Facilitator: Dustin Sugar-Moore, Marketing Director, I.M.P.
Fireside Chat with r.World
Panelists: Tina Swanson, Chief Revenue Officer, r.World
Comedy Unplugged: Behind the Laughter
Moderator: Brad Grossman, Chief Operating Officer, Helium Comedy
Panelists:Sam Klima, General Manager and Talent Buyer, Hilarities 4th Street Theatre
Allyson Jaffe, Owner/Vice President/Comedy School Principal, The DC Improv Comedy Club
Andrew Fox, Executive Vice President, Carolines and New York Comedy Festival
Mike McAvoy, UCB Theatre
Brian Gendron, Founder & General Manager, The Riot Comedy Club
Safety & Insurance: Practical and Affordable Techniques to Unlock Better Rates
Intro: Cameron Smith, Senior Vice President, HUB International EntertainmentModerator: Tom DeGeorge, Owner,The Crowbar; COO, D Tour; NIVA Safety Task Force Chair
Panelists:
Chris Bauman, Founder and President, Zenith Music Group
Mike Killeen, Chief Financial Officer, First Avenue
Adam Bunge, Attorney, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ideal3
Jerid Schmickle, Chief Executive Officer, Applied Underwriters
Investing in Your Greatest Asset: Strategies for Hiring, Employee Training and Retention in Live Entertainment
Intro: Todd Dyer, VP & Head of Live Entertainment Sales, Cast & Crew
Moderator: Tobi Parks, Owner, xBk; Co-Founding Member, D Tour
Panelists:
Eric Holt, Asst. Professor of Music Business, Belmont University; Co-Founder, The Lovenoise Group
Sunae Villavaso, Director, Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development in NOLA
Cherise Rhyns, General Manager, Lincoln Theatre
Fix the Tix: From D.C. to Sacramento - Get the Latest News
Moderator: Ethan Millman, Staff Writer, Rolling Stone
Panelists:Jerry Golden, Global Head of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Eventbrite
Gabe Docto, Director of Operations, August Hall
Audrey Fix Schaefer, Director of Communications, I.M.P./9:30 Club; VP of the Board of Directors, NIVA
David Weingarden, Vice President of Concerts + Events, Z2 Entertainment
Music for All – Redefining Accessibility in Live Events
Moderator: Kerri Park, Chief Operating Officer, World Cafe Live
Panelists:Tyler Godsey, Founder/Director, 5 Points Music Sanctuary
Denise Melanson, VP, Social Impact & Sustainability, Wasserman
Mark Raymond, Jr., Founder and CEO, Split Second Foundation
Rick Pruim, Vice President of Sales, ADA Lift Rentals
ACTIVATIONS:
Working Lounge presented by Live Music Society
Monday Happy Hour presented by Etix
Tuesday Happy Hour presented by Prekindle
Wednesday Happy Hour presented by Live Music Society with D Tour & Midtopia
LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Sunday, June 2
Official Opening Party presented by Lyte at Tipitina’s with performances by
EIGHTLOCK
George Porter Jr. & Runnin Pardners
Monday, June 3
Second line from Generations Hall Happy Hour presented by Etix leading attendees to NIVA Gras presented by Eventbrite at Republic NOLA with performances by
Rebirth Brass Band
Tank and the Bangas
Tuesday, June 4
NIVA Night in NOLA on Frenchmen Street at NIVA member venues with Live Music Society Lounge @ d.b.a and NITO at Blue Nile
Visit https://www.nivassoc.org/conference to find information about registration, media credential applications, and host hotels.
SPONSORS
The NIVA ’24 conference cannot happen without the generosity and dedication of this year’s sponsors including: Eventbrite, Lyte, Live Music Society, DICE, Prekindle, VenuePilot, Refund Protect (Protect Group), VOLUME.COM, Fever, Etix, Spotify, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services, Inc., Cast & Crew Live Entertainment, Opendate, CashorTrade, Inc., Prism.fm, Ticketsauce, Merch Idols, Hub International, Billfold, AXS, Fanimal, Found.ee, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bose, r.World, Intellitix, Rooam, Archie Technologies, Dipjar, ADA Lift
PARTNERS
NIVA ’24 is proud to partner with a roster of esteemed organizations for this year's conference including: National Independent Venue Foundation, Marauder, Bandsintown, D Tour, Midtopia, Folk Alliance International, NAMM, 2112, Backstage Social, Tossware, FestForums, New Orleans & Company, Consequence of Sound, ROSTR, Good Land Supply Co. , Stateside Vodka, Recovery Unplugged, and OffBeat Magazine
REGISTRATION & HOTEL INFORMATION
Register for NIVA ‘24 here.
Non-member conference passes are available.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) represents independent music and comedy venues, promoters, and festivals throughout the U.S. NIVA led the #SaveOurStages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.
NIVA's mission is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live venues, promoters, and festivals throughout the United States. NIVA is committed to equity in its support and advocacy for independent venues and 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
