Industry Development Day
2:00pm-6:00pm
Local Venue Managers Coalition
Hosted by Lee Barber this session features a panel discussion with key bookers from venues across the local area. Join us for an open and honest discussion about how venues really book bands, what venue managers actually need from artists in 2026, and the future of local venues — and how artists fit into it. This is a practical, no-nonsense look at how programming decisions are made.
2:00pm-2:45pm
Sync Publishing with Sentric Music
A guided conversation between Kris Tomkinson (ATG Entertainment) and Sam Richards (Sentic Music) and focused on how Sync Publishing actually works in the real world. They’ll break down what buyers look for, how tracks get selected, and why a “great song” alone is rarely enough. Expect straight talk on pitching, metadata, relationships, and the common mistakes that quietly kill opportunities. This session is for anyone who wants to understand how music gets placed — not just why most tracks don’t
3:00PM-3:45PM
Funding for Musicians
The Funding session is focused on how public funding actually works for artists and organisations. With Arts Council Eng;and confirmed and further contributors to be announced, we’ll explore what funders are looking for, how decisions are made, and where applications often fall down. Expect practical insight into eligibility, evidence, and building a case that stands up.
4:00PM-4:45PM
Benefits of a strategic board
What is a music board actually for? In this session with Yasin El Ashrafi from Leicester Music Board, we’ll explore how strategic music bodies shape opportunities for artists and where they fall short. Expect open discussion on influence, gatekeeping, and real-world impact.
5:00PM-5:45PM
