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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Departure
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T151500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T160000
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260408T023521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T190826Z
UID:10000106-1778080500-1778083200@departureto.com
SUMMARY:The Modern Fan Economy - VIP\, Pop-Ups & Profit
DESCRIPTION:The fan relationship has evolved\, and with it\, the entire business of live music. This panel brings together experiential entrepreneurs Noreen Hamid\, Patrice Whiffen + special guests to explore how VIP experiences\, merch pop-ups\, and high-touch fan activations are redefining revenue in today’s live ecosystem. \nFrom Oasis-style cultural takeovers to Morgan Wallen’s premium fan experiences\, the conversation will unpack how artists and teams are building deeper\, more monetizable fan relationships. It will also examine how AI is beginning to reshape this landscape\, unlocking smarter fan segmentation\, personalized experiences\, dynamic pricing\, and new forms of engagement at scale. \nLooking beyond music\, the panel will explore what the industry can learn from sports—where data\, loyalty\, and premium access have long driven revenue—and how those models can be adapted to create more sustainable\, high-value fan ecosystems in live music moving forward.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/the-modern-fan-economy-vip-pop-ups-profit/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T150000
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260407T151604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260503T142128Z
UID:10000071-1778076000-1778079600@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Global Festival Powerhouses: Scale\, Strategy & Survival
DESCRIPTION:This is the room where the future of festivals gets defined. Bringing together some of the most influential talent buyers and operators in the world—Kevin Lyman\, Patrick Guay\, Brooke Dunford\, and Ali Shafaee—this headline panel dives into how festivals are evolving at every level. \nFrom global mega-festivals like Vans Warped Tour\, Boots and Hearts\, and Osheaga\, these leaders are shaping what millions of fans experience each year. The conversation explores how booking strategy\, audience behavior\, economics\, and global competition are redefining what a successful festival looks like—and what it takes to build\, scale\, and sustain the next generation of live events.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/global-festival-powerhouses-scale-strategy-survival/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T134500
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260407T150618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T180924Z
UID:10000070-1778072400-1778075100@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Independent Artist Group & the New Era of Rock Dominance
DESCRIPTION:Rock is bigger than ever on the global stage. This panel spotlights Independent Artist Group and the leadership shaping heavy music’s continued dominance in touring\, spanning arenas\, amphitheatres\, and major international festivals. With a roster that includes global headliners such as Metallica\, Sleep Token\, Ghost\, Disturbed\, and Limp Bizkit\, the company continues to drive the global growth and long-term development of rock artists at the highest level. \nModerated by IAG’s Adam Countryman\, the discussion features Nick Storch\, SVP and Head of Global Artist Development; Michael Arfin\, Global Touring Executive Vice President; Pete Pappalardo\, Executive Vice President\, Head of Global Touring; and Jarred Arfa\, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Music. Together\, they will share insight into the evolving global touring landscape for rock\, why the genre continues to connect with new generations of fans\, and the approach behind developing artists into long-term international headliners.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/independent-artist-group-the-new-era-of-rock-dominance/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T120000
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260408T023031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T175252Z
UID:10000103-1778066100-1778068800@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Sound Mind: Building Sustainable Careers in Modern Music
DESCRIPTION:For artists\, crew members\, executives\, and the live industry at large\, the demands of modern music have never been greater. As touring scales globally and expectations intensify\, this conversation brings together Dr. Chayim Newman of Amber Health\, Julie Adam (President & CEO\, Universal Music Canada)\, and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and artist Lowell to explore how careers can be built not just for success\, but for longevity. \nDrawing from her experience on both sides of the industry\, Lowell offers a candid look at what artists are really feeling behind the scenes\, including the physical and emotional toll of the road and the pressure of constant creation in a global\, always-on environment. Julie Adam brings the label perspective and unpacks how major companies are evolving to better support artists navigating grueling workloads\, while balancing commercial demands with long-term wellbeing and sustainable growth. \nDr. Newman grounds the discussion in action\, sharing how Amber Health is showing up across the live ecosystem and why destigmatizing mental and physical health must become a priority industry-wide. From burnout and travel fatigue to creative pressure and performance demands\, this session explores how proactive care\, aligned teams\, and honest dialogue can reshape the future of live music for everyone involved.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/the-human-side-of-touring-protecting-mental-health-for-artists-and-crew/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T101500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T110000
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260430T134801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T135933Z
UID:10000143-1778062500-1778065200@departureto.com
SUMMARY:The Economic Power of Live Music
DESCRIPTION:Live music isn’t just entertainment – it’s a major economic driver shaping cities\, tourism\, and adjacent industries in real time. From sold-out arenas to destination-defining festivals\, the ripple effects extend far beyond the stage. \nThis conversation brings together leaders from live entertainment\, sports\, and tourism to unpack how large-scale events influence everything from local economies and infrastructure to brand partnerships and global city positioning. \nExpect a candid\, big-picture discussion on the business behind live experiences and the strategies shaping the future of cities that want to win.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/the-economic-power-of-live-music/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T101500
DTSTAMP:20260727T005725
CREATED:20260408T022750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T175217Z
UID:10000101-1778061600-1778062500@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Opening Remarks: Live Summit
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we kick off Departure’s inaugural Live Summit\, presented by Live Nation Entertainment\, bringing together leaders from across the live music ecosystem for a day of insight\, connection\, and forward-looking conversation. \nThis opening moment will set the tone for a summit focused on the people\, partnerships\, and ideas shaping the future of live music. From touring and talent buying to venues\, festivals\, and fan experience\, the Live Summit creates space for meaningful dialogue across every corner of the industry. \nThe session will also include remarks from Maddy Oliver\, Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Live Music Association\, offering perspective on the evolving landscape of live music in Canada and the opportunities ahead for the industry. \nWelcome to the Live Summit at Departure.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/opening-remarks-live-summit/
LOCATION:Departure House\, 58 Berkeley St\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5A 2W6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_ScreenGraphics_Summits_LiveMusic-scaled.png
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