Every expert was once a first-timer. This session brings together new conference attendees and experienced industry professionals for a meaningful face-to-face connection at the start of the conference. Whether you’re here to share your wisdom or soak it up, the Mentor/Mentee Meet Up is your foundation for a confident, productive conference experience. Come meet your match — and hit the ground running.

The industry is always evolving — and this is where you get to talk about it. This fast-paced exploration of industry topics puts you at a table with a different subject and a leader who kicks off the discussion. You’ll briefly share your insight or listen and learn, with hot topics ranging from streaming rights and negotiations to ticket refunds and stakeholder communication. Come with your opinions, your questions, and an open mind. This session moves fast and so does the conversation.

You’ve just hit the ground running — now take a moment to catch your breath. Use this midday break to grab a bite at one of the local restaurants nearby, process the morning’s connections, and recharge for the afternoon ahead. Strike up a conversation with someone you just met, follow up on a morning introduction, or simply take a few minutes for yourself. The conference is just getting started — and so are the possibilities.

Join us for the opening day orientation meeting — everyone is welcome! Discover the latest updates about the conference and make the most of this initial opportunity to ensure a productive and enjoyable experience. Arts Northwest Come ready to ask questions, get the lay of the land, and set yourself up for the best conference experience possible. Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, there’s always something new to learn — and this is the place to start.

Arts Northwest is proud to introduce the State Spotlight Showcase — a brand new conference tradition making its debut right here in Idaho. Each year, this dedicated showcase will shine its spotlight on the artists of the state hosting the conference, and this year that honor belongs to the Gem State. These are the artists who call Idaho home, and this is their moment to shine in front of a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers from across the region. Every year a new state, every year new discoveries — and this year, Idaho’s vibrant and diverse arts scene is ready to make its case. Come celebrate this exciting new addition to the Arts Northwest family and find your next great booking right in your own backyard.

Kick off the Arts Northwest experience at the Welcome Reception — your first chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and set the tone for the days ahead. Grab a drink, mingle with fellow presenters, artists, and agents, and let the energy of the conference wash over you. This is where the week truly begins — and where some of the best connections of the conference are made before the first session even starts. Come as you are, leave knowing more people than you did when you walked in.

The first Juried Showcase of the conference sets the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary lineup of talent across the week. Carefully selected through a rigorous peer panel process, these artists have earned their spot and are ready to make their case in front of a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers. This is where your season starts to take shape — pull out your program, take your seat, and get ready to discover the artists that will define your next year of programming. The best is here. Don’t miss a single act.