CONNECT AT CONFERENCES
NAPAMA at 26-27 Conferences
NAPAMA will be at:
WAA September 8 – 11. Oakland, CA
MAX September 22 – 25. Milwaukee, WI
OAPN October 18 – 20. Hamilton, OH
ANW October 19 – 22. Boise, ID
IEBA October 4-6. Nashville, TN
ArtsMarket Southeast (NCPC) November 2 – 4. Durham, NC
APAP January 15 – 19, 2027. NYC
Details on this year’s Making Artistic Cents professional development sessions, Townhall meetings, and NAPAMA-hosted happy hours and networking events to be announced! In the meantime, please see below for last year’s schedule to see an example of NAPAMA’s conference presence.
Past Events:
Tuesday Sept 2nd - 3:00-4:00PM
New Colleagues Orientation
NAPAMA Board Vice President Micah Christian will give a brief introduction of NAPAMA, our programs, the NAPAMA Code of Ethics, conference best practices, and more!
Tuesday Sept 8th - 3-4:15pm
MAKING ARTISTIC CENTS: The Challenges & Logistics of Region-Specific Touring
Touring in the Western half of the United States can be challenging, which limits the geographical range of some touring artists and the pool of performances that presenters can consider each season. NAPAMA’s session will provide practical and applicable tips as well as first-hand knowledge on how to approach touring in the West. A panel comprised of experienced agents/managers, artists, and presenters/promoters will discuss some of the unique variables that factor into Western touring, how it differs from other parts of the country, the differences between the rural West and the urban West, and how communication across consortiums can foster a robust touring climate in the Western United States. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of the landscape and some best practices around what it takes to have a successful engagement in the West.
Moderator: Kevin Peters, Senior Agent, G.L. Berg Entertainment
Panelists:
Tiina Mittler, Executive Director, Performing Arts Theatre, Cal State University San Bernardino
Katherine Henry Jordan, Executive Director, The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Orem, UT
Location: Salon FGH
Tuesday Sept 8th - 7:30pm (after opening reception)
Social Mixer
Come say hello at this informal social mixer. We’ll buy some beverages (1 drink on us, per person) and folks can learn a little bit about what we’re up to with NAPAMA this year, see old friends and make new ones, and have a great start to the conference season. (We’ll wrap up in time for everyone to hit the showcases!) This is an open invite to members and non-members.
Location: District - 827 Washington Street Oakland CA 94607
Friday Sept 11th 12-1:15PM
Town Hall Meeting
NAPAMA Board members will be on hand to discuss new developments and benefits, the work we've been doing, and to take questions and have conversations with current as well as non-current members. Not in NAPAMA but interested to find out what the organization could do for you? This is the place to be. Both Members and non-members welcome!
Location: Salon FGH
MAX
Sept 22 - Sept 25. Milwaukee, WI
Wednesday Sept 23rd - 11:45Am-12:45pm
Town Hall Meeting
NAPAMA Board members will be on hand to discuss new developments and benefits, the work we've been doing, and to take questions and have conversations with current as well as non-current members. Not in NAPAMA but interested to find out what the organization could do for you? This is the place to be. Both Members and non-members welcome! (Please note this will be a short meeting to help folks have time to grab lunch since food is not allowed in the convention center!)
Location: TBA
Monday Sept 15th - 4:00-5:15pm
New Colleagues Connection
NAPAMA Board President Karen Kennedy will give a brief introduction of NAPAMA, our programs, the NAPAMA Code of Ethics, conference best practices, and more!
Wednesday Sept 23rd - 5:30-6:30pm
Social Mixer
Come say hello at this informal social mixer. We’ll buy some beverages (1 drink on us, per person) and folks can learn a little bit about what we’re up to with NAPAMA this year, see old friends and make new ones, and have a great start to the conference season. This is an open invite to members and non-members.
Location: Julep, onsite at the Hyatt Regency, 333 West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
Friday Sept 25th 8:30-10am
MAKING ARTISTIC CENTS - The Challenges & Logistics of Region-Specific Touring
Touring in the Midwest region of the United States can be challenging, especially due to changing seasons, long drives, football season (high school and college), and the fact that nearly every touring artist needs the Midwest to connect their coast to coast tours! NAPAMA’s session will provide practical and applicable tips as well as first-hand knowledge on how to approach touring in the Midwest. A panel comprised of experienced agents/managers, artists, and presenters/promoters will discuss some of the unique variables that factor into Midwestern touring, how it differs from other parts of the country, the differences between the rural Midwest and the urban Midwest, and how communication across consortiums can foster a robust touring climate in the Midwestern United States.
Moderator: Kevin Peters, Senior Agent, G.L. Berg Entertainment
Panelists:
Artist - David Wannen, New York Gilbert and Sullivan
Presenter - Regina Ruhberg, Executive Producer, Washington Pavillion, Sioux Falls, SD
Agent - Amber Hanson- Director of National Booking, BiCoastal Productions
& Dan Peraino, Agent, The Kurland Agency
Location: TBA
OAPN
October 18-20. Hamilton, OH
Date/Time/Location: TBA
MAKING ARTISTIC CENTS - Collaborative Deal Making
From basic negotiations to splits and bonuses, deal making is an important business skill. Join us to talk about the benefits of different fee structures, from flat guarantees to more backend deals, how to assess and negotiate risk, and collaborative ideas on how to do better business for both agent, artist, and presenter. This session shares industry vocabulary, helpful math examples, and the perspective about why and when different kinds of deals might make sense. Perfect for folks new to the field or for those looking to brush up their deal making skills..
Moderator: Kevin Peters, Senior Agent, G.L. Berg Entertainment
Panelists: TBA
Monday, September 30, 2024 - 4:00-5:00PM
Happy Hour at The Blarney Irish Pub
Drop by this informal social mixer to say hello, learn a little bit about what we’re up to with NAPAMA this
year, and reconnect with your colleagues and friends. We’re going to snag a corner of the bar, buy some snacks
and beverages (1 drink on us, per person), and create our own little happy hour. (We’ll wrap up in time for
everyone to hit the independent showcases!) This is an open invite to members and non-members.
ANW
October 19 - 22 Boise, ID
Tuesday October 15th 8:30-10:00am
MAKING ARTISTIC CENTS: Collaborative Dealmaking
Join us to talk about all things collaborative dealmaking including different deal structures, how to negotiate risk, and ideas on how to do better business for both agent, artist, and presenter.
Moderator: Carey Rayburn, Good Co and Tara Bailey, Bailiwick Booking Agency
Location: TBD
Location: TBD
Date/Time/Location: TBA
Town Hall
NAPAMA Board member Carey Rayburn will be on hand to discuss new developments and benefits, the work we've been doing, and to take questions and have conversations with current as well as non-current members. Not in NAPAMA but interested to find out what the organization could do for you? This is the place to be. Both Members and non-members welcome!
ArtsMarket Southeast (NCPC)
Nov 2-4 Durham, NC
Date/Time/Location: TBA
New Colleagues Orientation
Former NAPAMA Board Secretary Kris Kaminski will introduce NAPAMA, our programs, the NAPAMA Code of Ethics, conference best practices, and more!
APAP
January 15-19, 2027. New York City, NY
Sunday January 17, 2027, 10:00AM
NAPAMA’S Making Artistic Cents: Topic TBA
Location: TBA
More details coming soon!
Saturday January 16, 2027, 9:00-10:00AM
Town Hall Annual Meeting
NAPAMA Board members will be on hand to discuss new developments and benefits, the work we've been doing, and to take questions and have conversations with current as well as non-current members. Not in NAPAMA but interested to find out what the organization could do for you? This is the place to be- Both Members and non-members welcome!
Location: TBA
Stay tuned for schedule updates regarding NAPAMA’s Awards at the APAP Honors Award Ceremony, “Meet the Pres” Open Office Hour, Making Artistic Cents PD session and Town Hall meeting!
Friday January 9, 2026, 11:00AM-12:30pm
Agents and Managers Affinity Group - not an official NAPAMA event, but some of our board members will be there! Looking forward to connecting with other agents and managers within our field and starting the conference in community.
Location: TBD
Saturday January 11, 2025, Time TBD
“Meet the Pres” - Open Office Hour!
Board President Karen Kennedy will post up at a table in the second floor meeting space for folks to drop by and say hello. Have a question about NAPAMA? Or the upcoming retreat? Or how to navigate APAP or the field at large? She’ll be there to help answer it!
Location: 2nd floor meeting space (look for our table top banner!)
Monday January 12, 2026, 10:00-11:30AM
The APAP Honors Awards Ceremony
Please join us as NAPAMA recognizes the work of a presenter and an agent-manager through the NAPAMA Award for Excellence in Presenting the Performing Arts and the Liz Silverstein Award for Agent-Manager of the Year, respectively. The NAPAMA Award recipients will be recognized at the APAP Honors Awards Ceremony, and in addition to their physical awards, NAPAMA will make donations on behalf of each individual to charitable organizations of their choosing.
Location: TBD