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# 'Must See' Events as NIVA '26 Announces Full Schedule
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/live-music-industry-news-14/
- Published: 2026-05-28T13:40:54.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-29T14:56:49.000Z
- Description: NIVA '26 announces full schedule of sessions and events including Badass Bookers and a keynote chat with Fabrice Sergent and Justin Kalifowitz.
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Conferences, NIVA, NIVA '26, Fabrice Sergent, Justin Kalifowitz, Bandsintown, Downtown Music, Gimme Gimme Disco, live music industry, Conventions & Awards, #trending

The U.S. independent live entertainment community is gathering in Minneapolis June 7-10 for [**NIVA '26**](https://www.nivassoc.org/conference?ref=hypebot.com), the fifth annual national conference of the **The National Independent Venue Association**.

The event brings together independent venue owners, promoters, bookers, agents and service providers to tackle the most pressing issues in the live music ecosystem.

This week NIVA announced the full schedule sessions and events to be hosted at some of Minneapolis' iconic NIVA member venues, including **Hennepin Event Center, Pantages Theatre**, and **Dudley Riggs Theatre.**

The week kicks off Sunday, June 7 with an **Opening Night Party: A Celebration of Prince**, presented by [EVENTIM](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/lSPJ6KfO1vb02%5FiZcHKdMQ~~/AAJOsRA~/8Gzo4zQzCa4lXGlZRcK88m3fsTT7KcNb9IrvwU3b5GoFsw3bzbgLk3jaj5jL2f5cei-VWspqGhMvWkChg0SmoLy60aMwapcvuN7ZfbBKk%5FBzg2Lau203NHz3J4frKRsnKF00dKu%5FAKKPaDWCt4nN3KWsDpIlWf9a1aUzDHjYZ70DtepyPbXmXttX5O8SUSUxFiEYl-5%5FZRYstv7aPnGxEqowJIDC01MhN4igfy07-krqS%5FAOVa022gHGH47w-hAGt0X3DEZO9nnk9aGVD7Hf6VeIONudUtZqqIG-opxSpEsphoemroHOEt8fbky-%5FiDA5emc6LQQtTUl4l8oWHkvlAjYJ5BdSFzHsDtDDp4ok0kmK2iU1i8kkvgzl36b8MoItvvGvtytIDosfUYWdRrkYnRS4u9nX030fO1pbrb-Ch7Ikqj5G0%5FjXH5j7idp%5Fuh7BhvGSA6prLJX7J0xSGqcLiKjZ14ZdW3OIPAxOxyrqtunyQnboscNFqa3jNrzxBXmPLMbMiotv1lTBxgp2TmFf6Gk30E3j9mNqGX%5F-qyR5faDlLF-82bDrqaZlUx%5FQ56P8-yj996yL3gmLRWtbcTe2sdWLJJ2R5cvzaPHO0Yf9dfnJ3QcfMRz5dieYy3F688lo0uxGEhpxOA%5FAeYelTY8gUqoj2g%5F2-4qiK-UeMmYQjLBUF%5FsA436-UrjQrASU9F9wt8UneU9U1YG4kpFCSKzUezi2i8WzjHXDw-8PUxOWn73RxE%5FWgGKPh39nPUvHe5%5FYhLyFEmRkjNdy7-uDQrTXGfqd-dp4OmPKHtW6x29xX7GGImj%5FC-nPazrA-JywVbzlXBBEZaycyy15-uAE9bW6kWmKbRJTxHMjlMkkEkIxZmJWvldMSPtp-Gv1ZauD3MEIOiRQo5BRD6MAhGbZ8pUHK2nlB%5FDxJj6tAg3dTgHzJA0GJSq6og93oORYqXqGDsSUqTOBynT9h3%5FfU7EhC%5FyyqOvtmVpwKM75bt4ZcTasVm8EX-9mk1ApONZn0hredFT7ZBWG9HkDp1b-86UDdCJY-JLJiMG9bkTS-AvfFTPapMVxrytL9Pzym1GFXCR0yZ3%5FyW%5F6HtpmuzAAoRfW0IJOTFz3OFNSHlvHG7LaJSDRBOiIyih8SEu7I%5FYDmAkjijJ4BKaf-waYdGyGzbPq2u4LxE5adFIVWHrmH0z5NOYUfETTXBmEgWgO%5FaL47uoll6T41x7c7z3qzVouZ-2mRkpWbEKj6-MojO%5Fz7wVcj-KRdXhVj7isXIJWLT8QIcitGdTBcimB-NexEM1exQ7cVDnSfGA94-j3Qrxdb%5FB6wvSOIK9%5FQXI8X9p2mUpPJ4phy48JgNTQC0bClbfXDUB2qcvzn%5FpZGa2JNi9zt8AHZ07hO4lRozG4qoAgsmataA7I4mYAfZKjtqbKgoegrrdwJ2wdaNZtBexueb7YMv-8wzRdjAkTu5FYg8nU5FNjJu282D9d4ku1cSDWAOztPonWXdcBCe5pQgTMPK4nPqrLzJY09wepB%5F18fuN8Bb82Bifd6StuGH-NzQvzKqSMdQjvAmi%5FCQWsrmgKpxAv6vtl6RA0sz9CbS9FLiQHJfoS37bxY4mlMqAsJzLEE1BRdFGZhwEZA~~?ref=hypebot.com), at **First Avenue** with a local showcase in 7th Street Entry sponsored by [Electro Voice](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/bBaEmk6qgVfTss5kONNNLA~~/AAJOsRA~/DdzlqqxQUx%5FEpukkZdPilgmGDNrJhq2BYDyIEJ20idmhqQvvq%5Fo9W1QQ%5FR9W-k8QS-2trZsPU73b1UHpOWA7O16nW3vgiKM8koUeNcFGpXQgD0DOkA2kw44LiiY6OmNvqMjQ9ED224T-wACL0X6FZRBTN1MYDPgZzkttNFzzjivft2iT2N-hY1ddccm6g2fHZ%5FjR4Ixb4E%5F%5Fxe9SomWM3aI5-Vg5MvZ39Dip02txTeebbURIBND3JZy3SfApwRlqrJWrjORDY1zewhQSTuZUpgZjsqiFMs2BPMVg%5FZoK3gBfKPlli90qVBHmHbLH2QWcPQa6s4vcIey91Ctu4JdcWFQ4W8Q5v4IhAYsBBar1QGGoEKoe6M7WDeI0JJL0Wv7aWSsfUvigLeMKQcBv12zne1gFjLK0AzcJ6kN7oLF30rRja5E%5FH8R99-fEGw0SNheNfXWUuIMrXqDCEqAREjj%5FryfJX2mAc9FtTvZ%5FXB52OF8WZxRodZ9GkGwfSlbyJ1QbHUwk3f101-VCqf0yyhdnjhTHga4e67X775NeZlr-F5mOyjqGzeeXF0B7lnG8USCy2M%5F5rLIeg6GLWOHq5kd-VayW1mA36LWEEZuLm%5FJsQhWQKQxOLRygMJGqtTMHi3b8IlmeHO9szXkSyQKal7A8zRoEIcnsR5tqdJeR4lUAZNkg-utH1OZRcGDHHaACtdhlRKwqPVRJDcijOBe9AMwEtFDEgkzXdz6Nr8jiLFPNPBq1mVekMRkCToOKPLNbpOm9byUaKu3WWkoFQ%5FtkVPLNBjSn9v4yM%5FZ9y%5Fx7I65kFdyVnuH1-Z5SiE9V91zx2XWFJfe6wtIBoXiqjn0jqNabua9DAidQYG54Juftt3sSO2JpQrjEn6PA3K-x6vyRUEAmoCWrVHKt%5FYkeN6vj1aSV-N8xRz2TtGbXaVNYH15YVeCCSNhsbnvM11juPKkdJpzs?ref=hypebot.com) and [Spotify](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/qeUn71lYn9iV-Y%5FOwb6RhA~~/AAJOsRA~/Zd4h1cdOt0VxhEgTmwKxm%5FXh65iCIqZoxvFdNuNEhT3kQ3mEwRpkNemWk%5FsJTu5IWYmXJsqSdrGp0UBiud62-F%5FrR-EtGgOJ7kbnEIhN8wjLOp2Dt3ls0O6l2PX-4X-cH1ictaHXSfYOE3k4zQnuNj8-SkZukz8X3yT0PedlELxgJWglDnvuXkJT-lWIPWAtMAR--NWWcTz-KNfddX0nrvZ4icuGDVVZ%5FUekIpMSswEhENO9dr-ucrotMAujObnk4yNuWGM-wnMMqy-GZs7wfaUljkE4S785Tnh4EuPriNKISmqkxJxqdBU9MEyfsVbi0mERx2h60vccToNHXYjFV%5FszKgT6mny4LBlvByNoiJC6RADVqfBty-WXGhUTl092DEF-FN1us%5FMUFW3A0e0apW8-ejNLttKqXF7PQrMh%5FE9%5FX9wZQykTZavMT2vFocACst%5FbIGXfVmdh7vRreFoxIgZafc7WUMSO3hUZVG2GCIvh5Pecr6ji7lr9UOaIvNdLKbtcXMOje8UbZoqAd4J0WixtN6yjkhDECjQhBweSXtYo20IYh6atdfC70WAlIuMTSBKdkOKrpWwGcHUvu2QDLnPJ070jsOzGnMJg3kOeB%5FeIPgOaBaY9di6PlWGW6hyWsAEPcKV5XkuBm49RFEsdB5N3k3EeIBqGcePmAXM2Fe-9jggZvJ8VorBBn7XlCePO-axnQYlLgRyWu-R7cGOdhd%5FMHLlyNcskPYhHwwQeTFkaaFbqqNh2o7e%5FR9ghnQAFyaARHOdyP0viudI-G%5FPB6laX4x9MjsUODxXDpHhEl-2hibUXsA2LMeLtS8PvyeeZJH269SSn03xxz5sb2loeX6iTTauZauhiOsVfHwDuo58vLqAycBZ-pZexsYem6aTP9aVFbPSkjtFCLWc2IrspSD5fWpFjGnqdb1o8M4jQSppY6KBSMw8yeREfcxoKZz8C9MgasvpiOuvo1i4gn%5FmqbQ~~?ref=hypebot.com).

**Networking** at NIVA '26 doesn't end after daytime programming. There's **Nightcap at Icehouse** presented by [Eventbrite](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/5xlb3ghqpO9thCjH20xDtQ~~/AAJOsRA~/xiz1rSw4diPC64nDqFQtx9In-k1pbf6lqG8mW4hJ1apmh-gKUqQcSFmOlIvmi9DtQuN6AcjWndm23Pn0JF483Wi5xyNe7NgFaHVKnvvTnpDbSHdsfGMSWxqHGaCkLYj3jyesHaQyv1xM1%5FUevWVRURFYbaH6iWaHvqJ5jCk8AuAXyXnDBhfmXwYjhiwwzy24xWg4GWv00Udj63l0sxodIvl48n3Fb5IjSwxZJ%5Fxm9I3l9Tlpr7S8serJr3dNr03GjEv02CahjdZ6o84%5FtEiu07I7EBPB0zlEhKJHWzNRUHlTEypk5eNNwvHVEFCw-3TBKlFt3sXpnJFavy8bhWJBT7Nu4Q3AZlGv3RAzbAJWL32iG7pZmui4yo75-Fea3lYcDjVPAf%5FxP4dDWl7OKsgzaHnyuUi4CJFS09PYM%5FvJ%5F%5FQ2HkSOszpqVc-UFIIn8ODP8k31POsm-dWMboqKkuE2EhpbJqai153JydWFmo4YqsZ1T1g2SU-WkKBQYTOlJDrx-CDNUWOSNARkAxPCJk%5FwsOg%5F1f8z51tft7ECUt5Jle27D0RaiGhsOhZ6WH5TgwTP1pqUiRThEgFJ5jWvyLW9dxipDDQKpt1ilBS4YvZkjE%5FnnWZi7ewpbPzq%5FfPgXSfRQMbgy1eSGLmDnJQRnUdfh9Bi5FWqVjV3r1ciAP8dpEO73DswA18vjC6Hv71zKQ48LLTd90jUa7esZKzXoebvZ38JXNj52qcQqSyVb%5FrXlPSQkb1x13jZexU2wdGhsGqXEZQ%5FIcKDWKK7yaOntRFT64l%5F%5F0YeSD4reNzK%5FKUNp8a-DEZgoYIvHBz01bs0p-UBpoUPVrFIFlZOyYHt97goG82X6-74tGknV7Feg9NLRHmN-bORxH%5FCcyaUkr0R8u5iAdb4XYYNgJ9C-PhX9bLm8m1tIv7oKM3ECdn9%5FWXN8cd7zdLP2iYuYUVEvVAsCrgFdnTfx0JKwrN4ll8gvDNz85IopuUkjwH5A%5FDwHzkf5dDuuRMnPlbofJztIkFV4nd6PY%5FL5dE5S0Mhr0aSlVPW56Z3ZfytIA9DioLvgVtywo%5FJtsNwFewr2k2muCl3q2TWs3569guYjMZ5eDElIfpoBrgXZGgAO1DPpv-vsPiLdkHW7I1Jl00gO869cZneIhW%5F8lfUwYemnZuT6NPJrJ6wu3r%5Fo3ktLZBxpbHUFA%5FV6sWj-13pg1%5F3EX1BG-duYhpEYRm0PqpF60Ldr3POt-JzQp6NEkiJ3UeKfNbRpl92WDNAIICK8sx5HrXX%5FjZL%5FnFBruU48dv9C9hNGD08vXX5ulMnDz7qS%5FJHIc%5FsRP3wnyerWoWX-lf17Gcz72i6os34PtsV0WTW736UItzl1P9pnrNXBk-8iapDpWLbfv1plPT0QY58iR8yu%5F3juWIIF64v3T-5JNd0xPjC-xTa4HpIfVxht2i4eqjknoPLbSM5R2h3iAfHfr4aGR99-A4kRwWZ7anJsvpItjqm5W61Tq03Ejdn0ckjYPCH6JkLPrGv9zXb7tpEXEoHN5sLRvIAVCIE9TvoUMnfWYIY2IHjfXVPz%5FkhdjqInDs%5FiGNEweOuvRDBmlUiS73EKF35-8jShgnEWSvxnCIFiMiUzk%5F3m4mS8%5FLvYY8xeO9hRNa1v7H-bOueBZle9cNWUPoBwfU0u4d9p0DqLNruJugl37L7H-5bRw~~?ref=hypebot.com), as well as **Happy Hours** at **The Dakota** presented by [Etix](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/GOOSmiuo1dLUUgK1ZdQHqA~~/AAJOsRA~/SgHFtKlZCVXIMsH0FkKWvfiQzh-1QZU50ivopBvRWgfRvL8rjnER%5FyctF5j6BrEz3PjFir%5Fpq%5FmJYRR8RKdd8IAeb%5FKXsEd8nhuZrCsrVeUep3sceL4DGu9YbZt4%5FbGkT6uhL72nYKm-vT%5FiIaBjAtmtYeRIKcQrsGot1rFinBr33GLn4RWz2UqnewSMT-4hU%5FoKt5eUIawcsCasZbJ-6WM2d9k0nprsqADHZcJlWqcfFmAdj6ye5xOGEVVgeBXCRTjgw3yf5jYv5yvcMCpvo-POwCoNzOecXTRtb4XWKY6kx27L7RgdImAZQ6VDD8tXiPEZK9A1npOKLP2WCoIucaeWdc2CrbB-gsAyds5W2wJqkFbK3eviQ95Nu7-TEnU2CVxOGLD2U%5FobZAA%5F9HF7VU%5Fe7i-IxI1Qwfpf7N90vd8c65AQzpUozpzRhu%5Fsy8mz-veCe4CP7XIsPTjgIYzn9OK1PoJ2we6QI9jcq5mryLFm3XUJm0Ia5q%5FoEUsrJaFrkTq4Yx1Zfnrpl8CU81pDpVGxHaoktcdE0sg1q-nP-8MxF7wVJG6HiFRnh0H6ZPLOiF5jFX3SX771kTby2YHB5npv5Sat3FwN5h%5FQE0iVUjsw9GCqbjWOREdGcHS0vj3kGrdlVj6zPWxJf%5Fg6higTXmXFwgFFSjDd8nXLU7IOmA5itxi4cDwK9yO%5FxogdKM76W9Fc6ngAwnx3KfH99QEOxIGgeWEgfc8rEoCpynzqikBNidAcaXYzLnjNwTGm%5FyjmDDEz1fqIfNbDdkxGCN4ZeBOptJUQaWZ3Vfvno3KNjj7mW7MTEDk1c7eDVfhKk6feYrvv09KD1Wr8Hl-fuihYinybk1imXaHjkPqULZWtgtE-bgPLPMJ7Ko3cyTlwEPKYQmsgTR5h-c7Vw972WpvlnHvf%5Fk0%5FYfG1ZeJ5q5tR5w5klSeRN1%5Fc2YwYmtvhvzZW?ref=hypebot.com), **Hennepin Event Center** presented by [Boston Beer Co](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/lSlEiNhBy%5FWOxsQZvVbUtg~~/AAJOsRA~/irN5gl8ZL4EtHsVVCQv-c3dcL6g6s2JRYJ1OGdgtGIc93YwMwrE%5FVL2sRMXbVwT7xFtxBDfOe82Bt%5FRSbCXiqWrOAPvS2JZuNLtviuPC8rEo3zqq9UfjetP30eu2BxjFiVicayT-sRt%5FPG3u3mzFLDsPn9Xy0AVdQTZW-7rborZCo5T4pjpcWjld1aUxNhoNhMoGnsSZL6K4W4N%5FZBVYsRNceiMCImSoAEOBWU3s4bwTdwBTohkKhS2iUtmCWgxRqIl394UM%5Fj1CbQj5ZvjrxGJBPZYwwG6kLuYEA%5FZJk%5Fc7%5F2pE6pTmktTqJpmXCCRI-wh7NXtmMJxk6fJgwmq0nmkGnRnxfWMSw4ciBKvNizJUWFIOvTybAy5NVR5qQA2VdG540dgU-dBBZoGmlx3qUS3yONkc1W1r90btprE4Sl29VmwcHOfxOkbl3lz6HdXbqpVqyVmUjaGnFs2oLL6aaSguvwPERI%5Fc-caIhlahfK%5F3OrUDgyKaCgiSckLOegiusr4noD9fk3lbCbVDNQ4wSRLiGnvhTegVCodoMtfQLvTUlwKF2F35KlYjYBvhnHuBDHXr0Ab5i2OdTlrOOseXBO7Ygb6MsLwSscqAcGAmnwQdWBEZd4pwhhdWm6-w%5F3bV2ZdB%5F4s3NkS%5FgQzwxdjR5xnyII3ze6CDl37FZVmKf8Y-SGqJjP-o8m-6ppzo15dSbA6HjSThsIOv9rBgyY4ZRmsk9yn5ksJTl37lrcdM7rmlxnzqXbvonEQ3BVgmNGbcxzI8CbWftr4HXw70GeCDSZ2GM47BPUwUXVs1TtaSvLoG5oO%5FAeX4ESWKf-cA6ZpMIiFmm0uSq9ln3SUSeE6p7cU0yVcn0Fl6wo%5FRBA8hDWzl0t6iCqbPDcuS7aykY935e2pbyG4s74atWG66NK32fQ4EH1b-KO8APnklGhRQAcVqQmfoOzNgKU-jbtqEQMPo?ref=hypebot.com), and **Green Room** presented by [Adreach](http://click.mail.nivassoc.org/f/a/l9dcE%5FwqXCfk9IaySWD71A~~/AAJOsRA~/9wguC9mykDK45tQlelw8c0wv-9-jHkcKiwHq1gWcETh7loMpsEPqt%5FVIX7PACPaslsZs-xj-g7D62VG4lWk3eXHGsoGs0ZhwWsO0oUtB1PWqUjSyQyUJYPI1bigJ8wKqGnVPRxSWurO%5FQ%5FvQgc67oaY85JwG9-nJSQLqfNAZn1gYsfWRVWlZoT7Y1BJT16QogKsD7Nz%5FaJZ9EA%5F5vrmZWgNor9LooC0bLpoqo9wueFmv4J53MY3nNlIM-SWrqRqUVAcVc2RerFelfDr8c5P-GEfpCaJVFZBqTDaz4OwSK1R8Oo0PVEutIfeStbeYjca%5FxWLOrzFvKWlWSgG36JpksM74iu4EgKV9wVFj3HSsaLcqt3LGkgd-0d8elM1-NxSWJkbAhvsI9clEVEtr1gw4Wr7gfSGYCI6zKjTI7r6B8F-m8pF4w3CcFNO81SiKL7ESvcKmnEcBH7WJTTH57H9o11NfzIxXqAprumxVJcmkKk-zq-tNfYUeAjmA9sK1jBkhKz-C-8Qa1Hg23l36fqa5JOZcgKCWdzMJeAQ%5F9dzD0bS-r693Mbn1ScWS-vwyO3RgYO-g2waDqoiD3cvYl5qTA3M3TO3YUZ690%5FG895Y0jJ089qTLmET5PY8DMAHD5YiakTVejjWk7rr3rLTvRd8ihOHbKu7BPqjNT96YuRG8NnltSg78X6f7MLP9rijZP54iMPcMahcAGLGan0J51R1Sx91f92-9hiNijWumbqQTomUhSj8X0LmqfzzfSXeGIOErGDMJR%5FUqNroO1DqwPlAO3Gi%5FaIeI8nU640FNh7kd4fo2Xl6zqaT9ZpZdRgRsn9KPvnPmefsWEQ5ZPNm5kxyPLXC85s9YHTQ4GBKIrby3bvT75m4eub3spmWxEiXlvy4RASypHrfl-xbJ-MWZk%5FLoCeRIvzU1H9-amydg-IJPPXHt2YtMskwRLqptGlFUcePo?ref=hypebot.com). 

It's not to late to join the fun. Explore the schedule [here](https://www.nivassoc.org/conference?ref=hypebot.com#schedule).

## NIVA 26 Highlights

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/2026/05/image.png)

## **Badass Bookers**

Monday June 8 5:15 PM - 6:45 PM at the Hennepin Event Center 3rd Floor

**Badass Bookers** will cover topics specific to talent buying in the new live music industry, what is changing, what artists can do to adjust to venues shifting economics, and so much more. **Panelists:**

  - **Jake Samuels,** Director of Music, 16" On Center & Talent Buyer for The Salt Shed
  - **Jen Bell**, Co-Head of Booking at I.M.P. / Talent Buyer for 930 Club and Lincoln Theatre, I.M.P.
  - **Jordan Anderson**, Talent Buyer, The Bellwether and Another Planet Entertainment
  - **Megan Loveless**, Talent Buyer, The Blue Room at Third Man Records

**Learn more** [**here**](https://www.hypebot.com/who-are-the-badass-bookers-of-niva-this-year/)**.**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/2026/05/1080x1350-NIVA26-Panels-FiresideChatFabrice-and-Justin-2.png)

## **Downtown & Beyond: A Special Fireside Chat between Fabrice Sergent and Justin Kalifowitz** 

Wednesday, June 10 on the Pantages Theater Main Stage from 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Bandsintown’s **Fabrice Sergent** sits down with entrepreneur and investor **Justin Kalifowitz** for a conversation about the evolution of independent music, the future of live experiences, and the growing convergence of culture, community, and physical space. From building **Downtown Music Holdings** into a global music infrastructure platform to now investing across experience-driven businesses, Kalifowitz shares his perspective on what comes next for the independent ecosystem.

**Check out the full NIVA '26 schedule** [**here**](https://www.nivassoc.org/conference?ref=hypebot.com#schedule)**.**