The anticipation continues to build for Departure, our reimagined vision for Canadian Music Week, happening in Toronto May 6–11, 2025.

Ahead of our first programming announcement in January, we connected with Executive Producer Kevin Barton for an inside look at what to expect at this new festival and conference experience:

Will music still be the focus of Departure?

Of course. Departure is rooted in music, and we’re confirming an impressive lineup of concerts, showcases, and conference speakers with the biggest names in the music business from Canada and around the world. Stay tuned for our first wave of announcements in the new year.

We’re also diving into hundreds of applications from emerging musicians to showcase at Departure — and are still accepting submissions until January 17, 2025.

What can we expect with the new art, comedy, and technology programming?

We recognize that we live and work in a global, multidisciplinary market. We're building on the legacy of Canadian Music Week to create a reimagined event that celebrates the intersection of creative industries.

In May, expect visionary discussions with disrupters bringing new technologies into the entertainment space. On the comedy front, we’ll be curating a knockout program featuring emerging and established comedic talents, similar to our music festival. And we'll spotlight Toronto's vibrant and diverse culinary scene, featuring renowned chefs and mixologists in conference programming as well as through culinary experiences throughout the festival footprint.

To do this right, we're forging innovative partnerships across these new programming streams to ensure our offerings are impactful and meet the needs of the industry.

Who should attend Departure?

Whether you're an established or emerging musician, artist, comedian, producer, manager, agent, label executive, publicist, marketer, technologist, or creative entrepreneur — there’s something for you at Departure. With a packed schedule of sessions and activities, you'll have the freedom to choose your own adventure. And with our revitalized app, you can catch up on what you missed or dive deeper into topics that interest you.

Tell us more about the networking opportunities at Departure?

We’re bringing the creative world together in Toronto. With our stunning new home at Hotel X Toronto, we’re excited to offer spacious lounges and meeting spaces, curated networking events and happy hours, and new digital tools to foster connections between delegates. Departure will be the place to be to build meaningful relationships to accelerate business, creativity, and impact.

Departure will capture the excitement of unlimited possibility: trying new things, meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, and discovering new realms of creativity. This journey is about imagination and adventure, and we invite all who attend to embrace the feeling of anticipation and let it inspire.

See you at Departure,

Kevin Barton

Executive Producer