NIVA To Hold Live Policy Summit

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance (IIVA) will host the NIVA Live Policy Summit, presented by Tixel, on October 15 and 16 at HI-FI in Indianapolis.

The idea:

• The summit will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to help strengthen the live music and performance ecosystem, through collaborative action and informed policy.

• As per NIVA’s statement, the summit will offer a forum for attendees to deliver best practices, explore policy solutions, and forge stronger coalitions to support independent live venues, festivals, and promoters, at the local, state and national levels.

The programming:

• The summit will include sessions on:

• The impact and challenges of the independent live sector, nationally and in Indiana.

• How funding programs and legislative innovations can strengthen music ecosystems.

• An introduction to the live event ticketing system, market challenges, and current policy debates.

• Strategies for partnering with local governments on zoning, sound ordinances, infrastructure, cultural planning, and more.

• Practical guidance for managing the PRO process.

• Building bi-partisan, cross-sector coalitions to achieve meaningful live entertainment policy wins.

• Priority registration is reserved for NIVA members, independent live entertainment stakeholders, and policymakers.

What they said:

• Stephen Parker, NIVA Executive Director: “NIVA’s work in states and localities has become the heart and soul of our advocacy. We can’t think of a better place and a better time for stages, artists, music industry professionals, and policymakers to come together and finalize a plan to ensure statehouses and city halls are equipped with policies in 2026 to protect independent venues, strengthen local music ecosystems, and keep live entertainment thriving in every community.”