CIMA partners with the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) bringing Canadian and international independent music business leaders together for MAKE IT MUSIC 2026. Keynote address by Liz Pelly, author of Mood Machine, the national bestseller about music streaming.

TORONTO, ON (October 16, 2026) – The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) is bringing the global independent music community together for MAKE IT MUSIC, November 10–11. Kicking off the 2026 conference with a keynote from bestselling author and journalist Liz Pelly, CIMA is excited to be partnering again with the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) to connect leaders from Europe, the UK, the US, Asia Pacific and Latin America with Canada’s independent music sector. Together, they’ll explore the opportunities and challenges facing an industry undergoing another period of seismic change.

Building on last year’s participation of WIN’s board of directors at MAKE IT MUSIC, this year’s partnership connects CIMA’s Canadian network with WIN’s global reach of trade associations and independent music businesses across 46 territories.

For Canadian independents looking to expand internationally, MAKE IT MUSIC 2026 offers access to new market connections, global expertise and potential business partnerships, while creating opportunities for international delegates to connect with Canada’s dynamic, globally focused independent music sector.

WIN, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will hold its global conference, WINCON, alongside CIMA’s MAKE IT MUSIC.

Now in its fourth year, MAKE IT MUSIC is the conference in Canada solely dedicated to the independent music sector. Taking place November 10–11, MAKE IT MUSIC 2026 will explore how independent businesses can adapt, innovate and grow while retaining ownership, independence and cultural identity. The conversations will be candid, the perspectives fresh, and the strategies practical

“Independent music is a global business, but independent companies need the right connections, knowledge and partnerships to compete across markets. Partnering with WIN creates an important opportunity to strengthen the connection between Canadian businesses and the global independent sector,” says Andrew Cash, President and CEO of CIMA. “By collaborating globally, we can strengthen our networks here at home and build new opportunities abroad for Canadian-owned companies and their artists.”

What to Expect
At MAKE IT MUSIC 2026, delegates will explore the trends, technologies and business models reshaping independent music today. The program brings together both local and international industry leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to examine the challenges facing the sector and uncover new ways to build sustainable businesses, develop artists and unlock opportunities in a rapidly changing global market.

Conference Highlights

KEYNOTE:
BETTER WAYS FORWARD: NEW MODELS FOR A NEW MUSIC ECONOMY — with Liz Pelly, author of the national bestselling book Mood Machine
Acclaimed music journalist Liz Pelly sparked important conversations across the industry with Mood Machine, her examination of streaming culture and the systems shaping how music is discovered, distributed and valued. In this anticipated keynote, Pelly looks beyond the problems of today’s streaming platforms to explore new approaches to music infrastructure, ownership and equitable compensation, and consider how the industry can build a more sustainable future for artists and listeners.

OTHER SESSIONS WILL EXPLORE:
·        How AI is reshaping music creation, discovery, subscriptions and monetization, and what these shifts mean for independent artists and businesses.
·        Independent labels building global networks and strategic partnerships to grow artists internationally while maintaining their independence.
·        How neighbouring rights and global collaboration can help independent labels and artist entrepreneurs unlock royalties and new revenue.
·        Today’s artist managers building artist-led businesses, navigating multiple revenue streams and developing their roles as strategists and business leaders.
·        Direct-to-fan platforms and community-driven models that are deepening fan engagement and creating more sustainable artist careers.
·        New approaches to AI licensing, attribution, consent and fair compensation to protect music rights and support creators.
·        How patronage, values-based investment and brand partnerships can support artists, strengthen communities and create new opportunities as AI-generated content grows.

Speakers You’ll Hear From
MAKE IT MUSIC and WINCON will bring together leaders from across the global independent music ecosystem, including Liz Pelly (Mood Machine), Gee Davy (Association of Independent Music, UK), Rollie Pemberton (Artist, Producer & Author), Zena White (Partisan Records), Simon Mortimer-Lamb (Nettwerk Music Group), Sandy Pandya (Arthaus), George Ergatoudis (The Sound Hack), and many more voices shaping the future of independent music.

Live Showcases in partnership with Global Toronto
The conference experience continues after conference hours. In partnership with Global Toronto, MAKE IT MUSIC 2026 offers delegates opportunities to discover Toronto’s live music scene through evening showcases featuring artists from Canada and around the world. The showcases provide another way to discover emerging talent, connect with the wider music community and continue conversations beyond the conference.

Our Partners
MAKE IT MUSIC would not be possible without the support of the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada through the Canada Music Fund, Ontario Creates, the City of Toronto and, in part, a contribution from Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport Associations program.

CIMA also thanks its partners Merlin, The Orchard, PANORAMA, LyricFind, MetaMusic, Slaight Music, Believe, Gowling, Monstercat, and Platform Productions, as well as media partner exclaim! and Global Toronto, for their support.

Delegates can look forward to The Orchard Lounge, a cocktail mixer presented by PANORAMA, a Rotor Videos demo station from LyricFind, and coffee breaks supported by Gowling. Evening showcases presented by Global Toronto will offer further opportunities to experience Toronto’s music scene and connect with fellow delegates.

MAKE IT MUSIC and WINCON take place in Toronto November 9, 10–11, 2026. For tickets and the full program, visit https://makeitmusic2026.vfairs.com/.

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About CIMA
Founded in 1975, the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) is the national not-for-profit trade association representing more than 650 Canadian-owned music companies connected to over 6,000 artists and music industry workers in every province and territory in Canada. CIMA’s membership ranges from Canadian-owned global music labels to individual artists, managers, publishers, agents, live presenters, industry-adjacent service companies, including digital marketing, public relations and content creation as well as other national and provincial industry associations.

About WIN
WIN is the international network that brings together the global independent music community. We connect and develop trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses around the world, promoting a fair, transparent, and diverse music ecosystem with full market access and opportunities for all. winformusic.org 

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