RSVP NOW AT: https://tixr.com/e/147510

Date: Thursday – June 26, 2025
Time:  12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Toronto (It’s Ok Studios 468 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B2)
Audience: Independent artists, small managers, artist-entrepreneurs
Format: 4 sessions – with one panel, one workshop, multiple case studies, and a closing mixer

About the Day:
Thinking about your next release, or your first big one? CIMA’s Industry Day is here to help you map it all out. From setting up your release timeline and making sure you’ve got everything ready to go, to learning how to market your project and take it on tour, this day breaks it all down. You’ll hear from artists and teams who’ve done it, see real-world budgets, and get tips on how to access the funding you need to make your plan happen. It’s a day of real strategies, clear tools, and connection with people walking the same path.

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM | Registration & Coffee
Check-in and informal networking.

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM | Opening Remarks
A quick welcome from CIMA staff outlining the day’s goals and programming themes.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Workshop: Self Release Strategy Plan
Presented by Small Fry Label Services
Get hands-on with a real-world approach to release planning. This workshop breaks down every step of a successful campaign – from timeline creation and asset gathering to distribution, budgeting, and marketing. Designed for artists going DIY or preparing to work with a label.

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM | Content Unpacked: From Viral Trends to Traditional Wins
Audience-Friendly Digital & Promo Strategies
Discover how independent artists are building visibility across digital platforms and traditional media. This session explores content strategies that connect on TikTok and beyond, even with limited resources, and sheds light on what traditional media outlets look for when covering artists

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Funding the Music: From Successful Grants to Stretching Budgets
Learn how to fund your next release and make every dollar count. This session offers a practical look at successful grant strategies, including a breakdown of a winning application and tips on aligning your project with funding priorities. Whether you’re applying to FACTOR, OAC, or other programs, you’ll gain insight into how to stretch small budgets creatively and strategically to support your goals.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Case Study: What Happens After the Grant?
Budget Planning for Self-Funded & Grant-Supported Projects
Getting the grant is just the beginning. This session looks at how teams actually implement funds for real-world results. Featuring case studies including K Forest and manager Juan Ortiz  you’ll see how grant dollars were used to generate millions of streams, build content pipelines, and land sync opportunities.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Workshop: Touring on a Budget – Real Costs & Planning
Touring is absolutely possible – even on a tight budget – with the right planning and insight. This session offers a practical look at how independent artists can structure and fund tours regionally, nationally, and internationally. From solo acts to full bands, we’ll explore different touring models, walk through real budgets and spreadsheets, and share tips on where to find funding and how to make every dollar count.

RSVP NOW AT: https://tixr.com/e/147510