Independent venues are more than just places where music happens. They are cultural hubs, creative incubators, and economic drivers for their communities. That’s why we are excited to share some big news: HI-FI will host the National Independent Venue Association’s (NIVA) Live Policy Summit, presented by Tixel, on October 15–16, 2025, in Fountain Square.
This two-day gathering will bring industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country to Indianapolis to focus on the issues that matter most to the future of live music and performance. Together, attendees will explore policy solutions, build stronger coalitions, and shape strategies to keep independent live entertainment thriving at the local, state, and national levels.
Programming will feature timely sessions including:
- State of Live: Why Live Entertainment Policy Matters
- Sustaining Live: State Incentives and Live Performance Funds
- Ticketing 101: The Landscape and Legislation
- Cities and Live Policy
- Navigating the PRO Licensing Landscape
- Growing the Coalition for Change
This is the first event of its kind, and having it in Indianapolis, in the heart of the country, is a powerful statement about the work our city and state have been doing through the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance and the Independent Indiana Stages initiative.
Josh Baker, co-owner of HI-FI and MOKB Presents and Executive Director of the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance, said:
“Independent venues have always been creative problem-solvers, and across the country we’ve seen incredible examples of communities working together to protect live music. The Live Policy Summit is an opportunity to bring those ideas to Indianapolis, engage our policymakers directly, and shape the future of the live entertainment industry. Hosting this event at HI-FI in the heart of the country feels especially fitting.”
Event Details
October 15–16, 2025
HI-FI | 1043 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis
Registration is prioritized for NIVA members, independent live entertainment stakeholders, and policymakers. If space allows, additional tickets may be released to the public closer to the event.
Sponsors include Tixel, Eventbrite, Meitus Strohm, Opendate, Prism, Sound Better with Tito’s, and Tixr, with support from partners such as the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance, Pattern, Backstage Social, Static Eye Design Co., and Maia Olmstead.
We are proud to host this important conversation in Indianapolis and look forward to welcoming voices from across the industry this fall.
More info on this event can be found here: https://www.nivassoc.org/live-summit