NIVA indie venue conference: #SaveOurStages Chapter 2

UPDATED: The first National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is happening today and tomorrow in Cleveland and Hypebot is there.

Launched in the early days of the pandemic, NIVA and partners including the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) successfully lobbied for $16 billion in Shuttered Venue Operating Grants that effectively saved thousands of independent venues, promoters, and agencies during the months-long shutdown.

NITO is also holding its first-ever in-person membership meeting in Cleveland this week.

NIVA ‘22 focuses is on uniting the independent live entertainment community and writing its next chapter.

The daytime conference programming will happen simultaneously across multiple NIVA member venues throughout the city. and will feature curated programming, panels, industry experts, specialized industry educational sessions, and live showcases element

NIVA ’22 will debut the first-ever Independent Awards Formal (Independent AF), taking place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.