Conference

The Departure Conference will take place in downtown Toronto, with festival events taking place at venues across the city, from May 4–10, 2026. Explore our venues here.

A Conference or Priority Pass gets you access to conference programming and festival events. We also offer a Festival Pass for those just looking to participate in the Festival. Explore our pass types here.

Departure is a reimagination of Canadian Music Week. Our audiences have grown alongside CMW for the past 42 years and have been integral to our success. By expanding our offerings, while staying true to our roots in music, Departure will create an inclusive and vibrant environment that will also attract international artists and creatives of the younger generation, allowing for a deeper, more diverse conversation and a better representation of the cultural hub that is Toronto. Departure honours where we’ve come from, and celebrates where we are going.

Departure is designed for a wide range of attendees, including artists, musicians, creators, entertainment industry professionals, media innovators, and creative entrepreneurs.

We also offer students, new grads, and early entertainment career professionals our NextGen Program featuring curated programming, 1:1 mentorship opportunities and access to exclusive networking events.

Whether you’re building your career, expanding your network, or discovering new artists, Departure offers programming for all industry professionals.

We offer several pass and ticket options so you can experience Departure in the way that works best for you:

Festival Pass: Access to a wide range of festival programming, including music showcases, film screenings, and pop-up events during the festival.

Priority Pass: Premium access to conference sessions, music showcases, and networking events, plus additional perks like priority entry and exclusive lounges.

Conference Pass: Access to keynote sessions, panel discussions, and select festival showcases during the conference.

Festival Tickets: Individual tickets for specific shows or festival events.

Explore our pass types in more detail here.

We have curated a selection of Official Hotel Partners offering exclusive rates all situated in the heart of Toronto.

Click here for comprehensive pricing, direct hotel booking links, and a map detailing our partner hotels and key conference venues.

Toronto is easy to navigate using several transportation options:

Public transit: Subway, streetcars, and buses operated by the Toronto Transit Commission

Regional trains: GO Transit connects the city to the wider Greater Toronto Area

Rideshare and taxis: Widely available across the city

Cycling and walking: Many festival venues are located in walkable downtown neighbourhoods

Major transportation hubs such as Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport provide convenient access for visitors.

Radiodays North America (RDNA) is the premier conference for radio, podcasting, and digital audio professionals. Taking place May 5–6, 2026 in Toronto, this event gathers global industry leaders to share insights on the latest audio trends, streaming technologies, and digital strategies. Attendees will experience inspiring keynotes, interactive panels, and networking opportunities focused on the evolving audio landscape.

Stay tuned for updates in early April.

Yes! We’ll be launching in early April with our full conference schedule, pass information and perks!

For more information, please contact hello@departureto.com.