NIVA '24 Announces Slate Of Panels, Sessions & Speakers For Its Third Conference, June 3-5 In New Orleans

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is preparing for its third annual conference, taking place June 3-5 in New Orleans, and is putting together a slate of panels and speakers from across the spectrum of live entertainment.

NIVA, a trade association that formed in response to the COVID pandemic and resulting shutdown of venues, brings together reps from major agencies to streaming services to neighborhood theathers and bars from across the country to enlighten, and even entertain (as only NOLA can) the independent entrepreneurs who make up the backbone of local, live entertainment.

The conference will highlight NIVA’s New Orleans members, with conference programming taking place at iconic venues across the city including Generations Hall, Tipitina’s, Republic NOLA, and dba.

NIVA ‘24 will feature a diverse range of sessions covering timely topics impacting the live entertainment industry, including marketing, ticketing, safety, and advocacy. Attendees can expect insightful discussions led by industry experts, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation within the sector.

Speakers announced to date include a diverse slate from National Independent Talent Organization, Wasserman Music, Live Music Society, Spotify, Meta, publications including Pollstar, Rolling Stone and Billboard, and the conference is expected to be attended by hundreds of independent venues and promoters from across the country.

The lineup features IAG’s Marsha Vlasic, United Talent Agency’s Nick Nuciforo, Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band, Eventbrite’s Co-Founder and CEO Julia Hartz, Bandsintown’s Fabrice Sergent, NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner Tank and the Bangas, and Meters Founder George Porter, Jr.

Registration is still open at the NIVA website.

“The nation’s independent live entertainment community has finally found a home to focus on the preservation and elevation of our industry at the annual NIVA Conference in New Orleans,” said Jamie Loeb, Chair of NIVA’s Conference Programming Committee and SVP of Marketing at Nederlander Concerts. “Agents, bookers, venue owners and operators, promoters, and festivals will come together to showcase the vibrant voices and experiences of the live entertainment ecosystem. This year, we gather to celebrate our past successes and to chart a collective path towards a more dynamic and inclusive future for independent stages nationwide.”

This year, the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF), in collaboration with NIVA, will offer a certified harassment training workshop, delivered in partnership with Calling All Crows and Spotify Plus 1. NIVF is also administering a travel grant open to NIVA members and non-members for conference attendees that may be requested by going to NIVA’s conference assistance page.

But all work and no play just won’t cut it in the Big Easy, and NIVA has carved out ample time for networking and enjoying New Orleans’ famed hospitality. In addition to sessions, panels, and networking, NIVA ’24 will feature live music at the Opening Party presented by Lyte on Sunday, NIVA Gras presented by Eventbrite on Monday, and NIVA Night in NOLA featuring Live Music Society lounge at d.b.a. on Tuesday.

The conference will also include an Operations Networking Session presented by Protect Group on Monday, Booking Networking Session presented by VenuePilot on Tuesday and a working lounge presented by Live Music Society throughout the duration of the conference. Programming will conclude with a happy hour each day presented by Etix on Monday, Prekindle on Tuesday, and Live Music Society with D Tour and Midtopia on Wednesday.

NIVA ‘24 panel sessions include:

Agent vs Promoter? Help Us Help You

Artistic Alchemy: Why Festivals are Music to Our Ears

Beyond the Stage: Venues and Promoters Creatively Bring Their Expertise to Community Programs Outside Their Four Walls

Ticket Tyranny: The Unseen Grip of Market Dominance

Case Studies in Creativity: How Small Venues Make It All Work (Live Music Society)

Comedy Unplugged: Behind the Laughter

First Party Data – What Is It and How Do I Get It?

Fix the Tix: From D.C. to Sacramento – Get the Latest News

Group Purchasing – Get Huge Discounts, Thanks to Your NIVA Membership

Have Dates to Fill? Think Out of the Box with Alternative Programming

How Can You Beat BIG? Making Your Building More Attractive to Both Artists and Fans

Investing in Your Greatest Asset: Strategies for Hiring, Employee Training and Retention in Live Entertainment

Marketing & Ticketing – BFFs

Nonprofit Roundtable

PROs: What are we paying for? Why? And what can we do to make things better?

Partnering with Agencies to Showcase Emerging Talent

Viva Variety: A Latin American Panel on Live Entertainment, Music, and Comedy

Revolutionizing City Development: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for the Live Sector

Safety & Insurance: Practical and Affordable Techniques to Unlock Better Rates

Sponsorships Aren’t Just for the Big Dogs

Amplifying Voices: Advocating for State Funding for Music Venues

The Prestige (and Money Saving Power) of NIVA – Certified Live Independent – What Is It and How Can It Help You?

The State Music Journalism and How That’s Impacting Filling Venues with Fans and Artist Discovery

How Small Venues with Small Budgets Can Still Get It Done

What Can We Do to Boost Bar Sales?

What’s New in the World of Marketing?

Confirmed Industry speakers at NIVA ‘24 include:

Aaron Bare, Chief Marketing Officer, Etix

Adam Bunge, Attorney, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ideal3

Adam Valen, Director of Marketing, Drusky Entertainment

Alicia Zertuchi, CEO and Booker, Grupo Musical De Cumbia

Allison Harnden, Nighttime Economy Manager, City of Pittsburgh

Allyson Jaffe, Owner/Vice President/Comedy School Principal, The DC Improv Comedy Club

Andre Perry, NIVA Board President

Wendy Pearl, Writer/Editor, Pollstar & VenuesNow

Ant Taylor, Founder & CEO, Lyte

Ariel Hyatt, Founder, Cyber PR

Ashley Bradbury, Senior Client Partner, Entertainment, Meta

Ashley Ryan, Vice President, Marketing, First Avenue

Audrey Fix Schaefer, Director of Communications, I.M.P./9:30 Club, VP of the Board of Directors, NIVA

Avery McTaggart, Partner, TBA Agency

Ben Jaffe, Creative Director, Preservation Hall

Ben Van Houten, Business Development Manager, Nightlife and Entertainment Sector, Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Brad Grossman, Chief Operating Officer, Helium Comedy

Brendon Anthony, Director, Texas Music Office

Bruce Finkelman, Founder and Managing Partner, 16 on Center

Carlos Aybar, CEO, Mishu Music

Carly Pritchard, Vice President of Booking, Jade Presents

Cat Henry, Executive Director, Live Music Society

Chad Kampe, Owner, Flip Phone Events

Cherise Rhyns, General Manager, Lincoln Theatre

Chris Bauman, Founder and President, Zenith Music Group

Christian Hee, Vice President of Marketing, Z2 Entertainment, Fox Theatre, Boulder Theater, Aggie Theatre

Darin Atwater, Artistic Director, Monterey Jazz Festival

David Mukpo, CEO and Co-Founder, Pamos Beverage Co.

David Solomon, CEO and Founder, DLS Events

David Weingarden, Vice President of Concerts + Events, Z2 Entertainment

Dean Budnick, Editor-In-Chief, Relix

Denise Melanson, Vice President, Social Impact & Sustainability, Wasserman

Diana Gremore, Founder, RealCount

Donna Westmoreland, Chief Operating Officer, I.M.P.

Emilio Herce, Publicist, Q Prime Management

Emily Madero, President and CEO, French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Eric Holt, Assistant Professor of Music Business, Belmont University

Ethan Millman, Staff Writer, Rolling Stone

Eugenié “EJ” Encalarde, President and Chief Operating Officer, Festival Productions, Inc. of New Orleans

Fabrice Sergent, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bandsintown

Farrah Usmani, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP

Frankie Tesch, Controller, Pabst Theater Group

Frederick “Wood”Delahoussaye, Chief Creative Officer and Artistic Director, Ashé Cultural Arts Center

Gabe Docto, Director of Operations, August Hall

Gary Witt, CEO and Co-Owner, Pabst Theater Group

Gena Gordon, Chief Financial Officer, I.M.P. / 9:30 Club / The Anthem / Lincoln Theatre / Merriweather / The Atlantis

Grace Blake, Programming Director, City Winery

Grace Notary, Manager of Business Development, Accounts, Marketing Friendly Marketing and 16 On Center Chicago

Greg Nacron, COO, VOLUME.COM

Hal Real, NIVF Board President

Howie Kaplan, Owner, Howlin’ Wolf

Howie Schnee, Director, Artist & Venue Partnerships, VOLUME.COM

Ian Fine, Vice President of Partnerships and Strategic Services, Ad.Ventures

Jack Randall, President, The Kurland Agency

Jahmila Williams, Director of Social Impact, 1Huddle

Jake Samuels, Director of Music, 16″ on Center Chicago

Jamie Loeb, NIVA Conference Chair; SVP, Marketing, Nederlander Concerts

Jan Ramsey, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, OffBeat Media

Jeez Loueez, Event Producer, Burlesque Entertainer and Instructor, Jeezy’s Juke Joint- A Black Burly-Q Revue, Hi-Chick Productions, LLC

Jerid Schmickle, Chief Executive Officer, Applied Underwriters

Jerry Golden, Global Head of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Eventbrite

Jesica Gerbautz, CEO & Executive Producer, Pnk Moon Productions

Jessie Hartke, President, Midtopia

Jon Ostrow, Associate Director, Growth & Discovery, Live Events, Spotify

Jordan Anderson, Talent Booker, Troubadour

Julia Hartz, Co-Founder and CEO, Eventbrite

Karim Karefa, Night Manager, 9:30 Club & Lincoln Center

Katie Nowak, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships, TBA Agency

Kelsey Kaufmann, Owner and Operator, Cactus Club

Kerri Park, Chief Operating Officer, World Cafe Live

Kira Karbocus, Chief Operating Officer and Producer, Newport Festivals Foundation

Lani Torres, Co-Owner and Talent Buyer, Ivy Room

Laura Wilson, Head of Live Music, Bohemian Foundation; Treasurer, NIVF

Laurie Kirby, Esq., CEO and President, FestForums

Leila Cobo, Chief Content Officer Latin/Español, Billboard

Lisa White, Director of Communications, Nederlander Concerts

Luke Pierce, Artist Manager and Producer, WORKS Entertainment

Mallorie McRea, Director of Operations, World Cafe Live

Maria Valenzuela, Ticketing, Nederlander Concerts

Mariano Otero, Senior Vice President, Fever

Marsha Vlasic, Vice Chair, Music Division at Independent Artist Group (IAG)

Marshall Chiles, Founder and Owner, Laughing Skull Lounge

Matt Ciarleglio, Managing Partner, Empty Bottle

Mike Killeen, Chief Financial Officer, First Avenue

Mike Sosin, Director, Festivals, Wasserman Music

Morgan Harper, Director of Policy & Advocacy, American Economic Liberties Project

Nathaniel Marro, Manager, National Independent Talent Organization

Neeta Ragoowansi, President, Music Managers Forum – US

Nick Nuciforo, Partner and Head of Comedy Touring at United Talent Agency

Rachael Arrington, General Manager, Maple Leaf Bar

Rachel Kopp, Artist Relations Manager, VOLUME.COM

Rachelle Love, Director of Education, Midtopia

Rev. Moose, Managing Partner; Founding & Emeritus Executive Director, Marauder; National Independent Venue Association

Rich Collins, Imagination Movers

Robin Johnson, Founder and General Manager, Stone Church (Vermont)

Sean Lynch, President, 1111 Presents / Pub Station

Sean Moeller, Co-Owner, Raccoon Motel

Sean Watterson, Co-Owner; Chief Legal Officer, The Happy Dog; D Tour

Shahida Mausi, President and CEO, The Right Productions, Inc.

Shane Tobin, Vice President of Partnerships, Sofar Sounds

Shaun Verreault, Business Development Manager – Music, Tradable Bits

Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association

Summer Jager, Owner, Ivy Room

Sunae Villavaso, Director, Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development in NOLA

Tara Tielmann, Director of Product Marketing, Lyte

Taylor Mims, Editor, Billboard

Taylor Winchester, Director of Revenue, found.ee

Tina Swanson, Chief Revenue Officer, r.World

Tobi Parks, Owner, xBk Live & Board Member, National Independent Venue Foundation

Todd Dyer, Vice President & Head of Live Entertainment Sales, Cast & Crew Live Entertainment

Tom DeGeorge, Owner; COO, The Crowbar; D Tour; National Independent Venue Association Safety Task Force Chair

Tori Powers, Director of Communications, World Cafe Live

Trey Many, Agent, Wasserman

Tyler Godsey, Executive Director and Founder, 5 Points Music Foundation

Will Suter, Co-Founder, All Things Go

William H Nungesser, Louisiana State Lieutenant Governor

Go to www.nivassoc.org/conference to find information about registration, media credential applications, and host hotels.