Conference Timetable

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Former Artistic Director of the Whale Theatre and Irish arts consultant Brian O' Regan presents a practical workshop with insights and tips on pitching to Irish venues. This workshop is primarily aimed at helping independent artists, managers and agents to navigate the booking processes of small and medium-sized Irish venues. The workshop will explore how venues are programmed, how to approach bookers, how to present yourself (or your artist) and how to get asked back again! We will also discuss how to communicate with venues before and after your performance, fee negotiations and how to deal with "no thanks". If you've ever had difficulties getting booked by Irish venues, this workshop is for you!

Publicist and branding strategist Jackie Martínez Marushka leads a practical workshop on building clear, compelling narratives for artists and music projects. Focusing on positioning, messaging, and long-term brand strategy, this session explores how to communicate who you are, what you do, and why it matters — to media, industry, and audiences alike. The session also marks the launch of Jackie’s new book, The PR Playbook – A Comprehensive Guide to Personal Branding and Public Relations, drawing on real-world experience to offer actionable insight for artists and teams navigating today’s media landscape.

Artist manager Katherine DePaul of ArtistVision leads a clear, artist-first conversation on music publishing in today’s industry. Focusing on artists who control their own masters and publishing, this session breaks down key publishing concepts, revenue streams, and long-term strategy. Drawing on her work with a boutique roster ranging from Grammy winners to emerging artists, Katherine shares practical insight into protecting your rights, making informed decisions, and building sustainable careers while maintaining creative independence. An essential panel for artists and teams navigating publishing with intention and control.

A practical conversation with festival programmers and directors on how booking decisions are made across major folk, bluegrass, and roots festivals. Featuring Cheryl Prashker (Goderich Celtic Roots Festival), Lindsay Craven (MerleFest), Barry Stapleton (Milwaukee Irish Fest), Brenda Willis (Music City Irish Fest), and Mary Burdette (Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival). This panel offers insight into what festivals look for when booking artists, how programming decisions are shaped, and how artists and agents can approach festivals thoughtfully and professionally. Expect candid discussion on submissions, timing, fit, and building long-term relationships with festivals across different markets. An essential session for artists, managers, and agents navigating the festival landscape.

Songwriters and producers Kristian Bush and Brandon Bush explore the role of rules in the creative process — when to follow them, when to bend them, and when to break them entirely. Inspired by the idea of the “Road Runner Rules” in music production, this conversation looks at how creative constraints can sharpen ideas, shape identity, and unlock originality. Drawing on real-world experience across songwriting, recording, and production, the session offers insight into how artists and creators can build frameworks that serve the work — without letting those frameworks become limitations. A thoughtful, practical discussion on creativity, instinct, and intentional rule-breaking.

The ability to build a community in the music business is challenged by increased costs, less mobility possibilities, venues and festivals closing down and dented concert attendance since COVID leading to competition rather than collaboration. We all pledged to take care of one another whilst isolating during COVID but since we ‘returned’ very few have kept their promises. Hence, there is a dichotomy between how music in itself increases the sense of cohesion but this feeling and practice does not translate inside the music industry. The sense of scarcity has overwhelmed the feelings of generosity and altruism and we are here to explore a return to grace. Looking at the situation through the lens of a programmer, artist, publicist, and an agent, we invite an open dialogue to come back to square and move together as one with more understanding and a renewed commitment to work together.

In this fireside chat, renowned publicist and artist advocate Fiona Bloom shares stories drawn from decades working at the heart of the music industry. Through personal experiences, pivotal moments, and behind-the-scenes encounters, Fiona reflects on the realities of building careers, navigating media, and sustaining relationships in an ever-changing landscape. This is a session rooted in storytelling — offering perspective, insight, and hard-won lessons through lived experience rather than instruction. An honest, engaging conversation about what it really looks like to work in music over the long term.

Award-winning music supervisor Andrea von Foerster, Founder of Firestarter Music, leads a practical discussion on how music is selected, cleared, and shaped for film and television. Drawing on projects including (500) Days of Summer, Yellowstone, Air, M3GAN, Welcome to Wrexham, and Begin Again, Andrea offers an inside look at the role of the music supervisor — from creative collaboration with filmmakers to the realities of licensing, commissioning, and production constraints. This session demystifies how songs land on screen and what artists, composers, and rights-holders need to understand to work effectively in film and TV. An essential conversation for anyone interested in sync, storytelling, and music’s role in visual media.

Amy Grant is one of the most successful and influential singer-songwriters of the past four decades. With more than 30 million albums sold and over one billion global streams, her career spans landmark pop recordings, enduring songs, and genre-crossing collaborations. A six-time GRAMMY winner, Grant has earned multiple multi-platinum and platinum albums, six No. 1 hits, and dozens of Top 40 singles across pop and adult contemporary charts. Her achievements have been recognised with honours including the Kennedy Center Honor, induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and stars on both the Hollywood and Music City Walks of Fame. Still an active touring and recording artist, Grant continues to perform worldwide and release new projects, cementing her legacy as a songwriter, performer, and cultural force.