NIVA 2026 Conference To Take Place In Minneapolis  

Decked out in a white suit with purple gloves, Minneapolis’ very own Prince Drag King took the stage at Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee on the final day of NIVA’s 2025 conference on Wednesday to share a few hints about next year’s host city: “Next year we’re going to party like it’s 1999. You might want to put a little gas in your red corvette and you might want to drive up the Mississippi and put on your raspberry beret.”

The fifth annual NIVA conference is set to take place June 7-10 in Minneapolis.

NIVA’s big announcement was made complete with a video message from Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator for Minnesota. Save Our Stages – her bipartisan bill with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) – provided $15 billion in relief for independent venues shuttered by the pandemic.  

In another video starring Cory Wong, the guitarist, songwriter and producer sung the praises of Minneapolis, declaring: “Where music echoes through the streets, creativity thrives and independent venues shape the soundtrack of a city. From Prince to Bob Dylan, from The Replacements to Lizzo, Minneapolis is where legends are made and new voices rise. A city built on an independent spirit, where live music, comedy and performance are not just entertainment, they’re a way of life. And in 2026 the National Independent Venue Association – NIVA – is bringing its annual conference right here to the heart of the Twin Cities.”

The 2026 announcement was made following a keynote conversation between Frank Riley, the founder of High Road Touring, and Michael Dorf, Founder and CEO of City Winery. Riley was presented with the inaugural NIVA Independent Visionary Award. Other keynote speakers during the 2025 conference included musician and songwriter Jim James of My Morning Jacket, comedian, performer and venue owner Hannibal Buress, producer/songwriter Jimmy Jam and Ali Rivera, head of Live Music & Artist Partnerships at YouTube.

The three-day conference, held at multiple Milwaukee venues including The Pabst Theatre and Turner Hall, welcomed 1,400 attendees.

More details and registration information for NIVA 2026 will be announced soon.

READ MORE:
NIVA’s State of Live Survey Finds Independent Venues Generated $153.1B In Total Economic Output Across U.S. In 2024, 64% Stages Struggling With Unprofitability

Audrey Fix Schaefer Named NIVA Board President