Speakers Announced For Pollstar Live! Panels ‘Power Players’ & ‘The Power Of Female Fandom’

AEG Presents’ Rich Schaefer, CAA’s Rick Roskin, LaPolt Law’s Dina LaPolt, Live Nation’s Colin Lewis and WME’s Kirk Sommer are headed to Pollstar Live! later this month to take part in the panel “Power Players: When Flat Is Down, Up Is Awesome.”

For the first time in more than a decade, excluding the shutdown years, gross touring numbers for box office and ticket sales were generally flat. Many saw this as a return to reality following the artificial inflation driven by pent-up demand and unusually high post-COVID traffic. The 2026 edition of the “Power Players” panel will see leaders from Live Nation, CAA, AEG Presents, WME, and LaPolt Law taking a hard look at what that leveling off means, what was learned, and how the industry can regain the momentum that defined this millennium.

The 2026 edition of Pollstar Live! takes place at Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles April 14-16, marking a return to the spring timeslot and an expansion to a third full day. This is in response to demand for more sessions, conversations, and opportunities to learn, connect, and grow – with the first day of Pollstar Live! running alongside the powerhouse Production Live!

The latest confirmed speakers also include the lineup for “The Power Of Female Fandom,” featuring The Collective’s Thayer Lavielle, 10Q Management’s Lydia Asrat, Live Nation Women’s Ali Harnell, American Express’ Janan Morgul, SoFi Stadium/YouTube Theater’s Christy Castillo Butcher and Live Nation’s Alisha Strother. These executives will explore how women are driving artist engagement, influencing culture, and serving as a major economic force across genres and around the globe. The discussion will unpack how artists and brands can better connect with and engage this influential audience.

Earlier this week speakers were unveiled for the panels “Tour Logistics: The Fine Art Of Being In The Right Place At The Right Time,” “Social Responsibility And Live Music: Repping The Artist’s Values On The Road” and “International: Reconfiguring The Global Touring Equation.”

Pollstar Live! is the world’s largest gathering of live entertainment professionals and the flagship event for Pollstar. The conference once again promises visionary speakers, unparalleled networking and standout panels covering talent booking, ticketing, sponsorships, sustainability, marketing and fan engagement. The event also includes the 37th annual Pollstar Awards, the only peer-voted live entertainment industry awards.

Scheduled April 14, Production Live! features one day of panels and keynote conversations dedicated to lighting, rigging, audio, tech, transportation, staging and other topics related to how production brings the magic of live shows to life, led by the industry pros who dominate the scene backstage.

Last week, KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, along with longtime manager Doc McGhee and Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos, were confirmed to take the stage for the can’t-miss session “KISS Forever: How Pophouse Defines the Next Era Of KISS in Vegas.” The Rainmaker panel, which is sure to be a highlight of the first day of the conference, will break down how KISS will bring its incendiary live performances into the virtual era in Las Vegas in partnership with Pophouse, the entertainment and music investment firm that specializes in music catalog investments and the creation of innovative, immersive experiences that bring those catalogs to life.

Charles Attal, partner in C3 Presents, and Kevin Shivers, EVP & Managing Executive, The•Team, were previously confirmed to take part in a Rainmakers conversation called “Austin To Arenas” in which they’ll share stories from the trenches and the lessons learned along the way, breaking down the forces reshaping dealmaking and artist development across the global touring ecosystem. The duo will also discuss how mentorship has shaped their own paths and why investing in the next generation of live-music professionals is essential to the industry’s future.

Peter Shapiro will take part in a Rainmaker conversation with OVG’s Waddell. Shapiro is the visionary behind the Wetlands, Brooklyn Bowl, Lockn’ Festival, Fare Thee Well, the Rock and Roll Playhouse and the rebirth of the Capitol Theatre.

Saumil Mehta, Global President at Ticketmaster, was announced as the keynote speaker for a discussion examining AI’s next chapter in live, “From Big Tech to Box Office.”

Jarred Arfa of Independent Artist Group, Zack Borson of CAA, Paul Davis of MGM Resorts International, Mike Luba of LIve Nation / Forest Hills Stadium, Rob Markus of WME and Lesley Olenik of Live Nation will take part in the Pollstar Live! panel “So 2026 is Booked: What Does ’27(!) Look Like?”

CAA’s Allison McGregor, WME’s Sara Williams, Live Nation’s Fabi Kulick, The•Team’s Sam Alpert, Legends Global’s Brittany Herndon and NS2’s Sarah Madalinski are confirmed for the Pollstar Live! panel “Marketing to Today’s Live Music Fans.” These speakers are some of the industry’s top marketers and are all nominees for Pollstar’s Marketing Executive of the Year Award.

Danny Wimmer Presents’ Chamie McCurry, WME’s Josh Kurfirst, C3 Presents’ Huston Powell, CAA’s Allyna Sanchez, Sixthman’s Darby Moeller and Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage’s Erika Elliott were announced as speakers for the panel “From Headliners to Fine Print: Putting the Festival Puzzle Together.”

Additional speakers include First Avenue Productions’ Dayna Frank, Ineffable Music Group’s Thomas Cussins, Independent Artist Group’s Nick Storch, Entourage Talent Associates’ Wayne Forte, High Road Touring’s Frank Riley, CAA’s Lindsey Myers, MGM Grand Garden Arena’s Scott Preston, and Soundcheck Live’s Ben Ikwuagwu.

The 2026 Pollstar Awards, which will be held at the Loews Hollywood Hotel on April 15, honor the top tours, venues, live music executives, agencies, production companies and more in over 40 categories. Renowned iHeartRadio personality Valentine will return as the evening’s host, as iHeartRadio continues its partnership with the Pollstar Awards, bringing its vast reach and deep connection to music fans to the esteemed industry event.

The 2025 Pollstar Awards included appearances from an array of top artists, including Stevie Nicks, Missy Elliott, Jelly Roll, Eddie Vedder, Bob Weir, John Mayer, The Strokes’ Albert Hammond, Jr. and Ryan Ray and Rusty Anderson of Sir Paul McCartney’s band.

Registration is open for Pollstar Live!, here. Registration options include registering for Production Live! only ($565.00) or the three-day Pollstar Live! ($1,550), which includes a ticket to the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards. A subscription bundle is also available.