The National Independent Venue Association will hold its annual conference next week in Minneapolis with a focus on the future of live music after recent antitrust rulings against Live Nation.
The NIVA ‘26 gathering is scheduled for June 7-10 across several independent venues in the city. The event opens with a Sunday night party at First Avenue honoring Prince and includes sessions on ticketing resale caps and strategies for independent operators. Executive director Stephen Parker said the conference aims to outline a vision for live entertainment beyond monopoly concerns. Panels will cover marketing, food and beverage operations, performing rights organizations, and new legislation in 20 states to limit secondary ticket prices. Maine and Vermont have already enacted resale caps while New York and California consider similar measures. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is set to welcome attendees on June 8. Speakers include agent Carly James, comedian Jordan Klepper, and musicians Jimmy Jam, Cornbread Harris, Cory Wong and Patrick Carney.
