GLOBAL PERFORMING ARTS CONFERENCE
Aja Monet at NYC Winter Jazzfest at Le Poisson Rouge during APAP|NYC 2025 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
WELCOME
We’re thrilled to invite you to New York City for APAP|NYC, the premier gathering of performing arts professionals in the presenting, booking, and touring industry and the members conference for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP).
APAP|NYC is a singular hub where you learn about industry trends, discover artists, connect with colleagues, and secure booking opportunities—all in one place.
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With artists, agents, managers, producers, presenters and more, there are as many ways to APAP as there are attendees. It's why you'll find 3,000+ professionals from all disciplines and genres and from all over the world at APAP|NYC.
APAP is a membership organization, so join APAP first, and then register for the conference.
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We can’t wait to welcome you in January!
WELCOME
We’re thrilled to invite you to New York City for APAP|NYC, the premier gathering of performing arts professionals in the presenting, booking, and touring industry and the members conference for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP).
APAP|NYC is a singular hub where you learn about industry trends, discover artists, connect with colleagues, and secure booking opportunities with showcases, networking and professional development—all in one place.
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As the performing arts field navigates change, attending APAP|NYC is more important than ever. With tighter budgets, shifting audience habits, and evolving touring conditions, APAP provides opportunities for members to connect, share strategies, and strengthen the field’s collective voice.
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With artists, agents, managers, producers, presenters and more, there are as many ways to APAP as there are attendees. It's why you'll find 3,000+ professionals from all disciplines and genres and from all over the world here.
APAP | NYC is where ideas take shape, partnerships and booking expand, and the industry charts its collective future.
APAP is a membership organization, so join APAP first, and then register for the conference.
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We can’t wait to welcome you in January!
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Below is a preview of the day-by-day schedule of our pre-conference and conference events, including networking, strategy sessions, and EXPO Hours. 1000+ showcases also happen at APAP|NYC. You can access those listings once you register for conference.​​
This year’s sessions offer resources and strategies to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and advance the field toward greater equity, resilience, and creativity.
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Organized around four dynamic tracks—Arts Advocacy, Thriving by Design, The Art of Belonging, and Creative Edge: Embracing Technology—this year’s sessions invite participants to explore how we can:
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Champion the arts and articulate shared purpose;
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Shape strategies that drive collective growth and adaptive success for our field;
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Cultivate spaces of belonging through inclusive leadership; and
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Harness emerging technologies to expand creative capacity and audience reach.
Together, these conversations, case studies, and visionary examples will equip attendees with the practical tools, strategies, and inspiration to lead with innovation, advocate with impact, and build a more resilient performing arts community.
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All programming and scheduling subject to change.
UP NEXT! Artist Pitch Session participants present at APAP|NYC 2025 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
FIND YOuR PEOPLE AND
Connect with ColleagueS
PRE-CONFERENCE
FORUMS, AFFINITY GROUPS, AND MORE
(open to the public, RSVP opening soon)​
9:00-10:30 a.m. Forums:
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Classical Music Forum
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With It and For It Circus Forum, hosted by the American Circus Alliance
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9:00-11:00 a.m. Forums:
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Dance Forum
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Youth and Family Programming Forum
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9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Special Event:
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Wavelengths: Global Music Conference
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Affinity Groups:
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Agents and Managers Affinity Group
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Artists Affinity Group
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College and University Presenters Affinity Group
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Independent/Venue-less Presenters Affinity Group
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Municipal Presenters Affinity Group
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Outdoor and Festival Presenters Affinity Group
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12:30-1:30 p.m. Affinity Groups & Forums
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3:00-4:30 p.m. Affinity Groups:
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Venues and Operations Affinity Group
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Marketing and Communications Professionals Affinity Group
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Development Professionals Affinity Group
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Community Engagement Professionals Affinity Group​​​​​​​
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
GET ORIENTED, INSPIRED, AND READY FOR THE DAYS AHEAD
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE OPENING DAY EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
1:30-2:45 p.m.
APAP|NYC 2026 Orientation
Whether this is your first-time at conference or you've attended before, all registered conference attendees are welcome to Orientation. We will share what's new and how to make the most of conference. Come for the information; stay for the networking!
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3:00-4:30 p.m.
UP NEXT! Artist Pitch Session
Discover exciting new works under development or ready to tour. Artists are pre-selected. All presenters are invited.
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5:00-6:30 p.m.
Opening Plenary: From Scarcity to Abundance: Unleashing the Power of Place for Collective Renewal
The official kick-off to the APAP|NYC conference will inspire attendees with a vision for renewal through place-based strategy, sector data, and authentic storytelling, setting the tone for a conference rooted in resilience and future-facing leadership.
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6:30-7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Reunite with friends and colleagues and meet new ones, from near and far, as we toast the coming year and affirm the power of the performing arts.​​​
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PLUS! Showcases all-day and all-night throughout the conference. Learn more about showcases. Showcase listings available in late November to registrants only.
Nona Hendryx at APAP|NYC 2025 Opening Plenary
(Adam Kissick/APAP)
Attendees capture selfies between showcases.
(Adam Kissick/APAP)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
Strategize for the future AND DISCOVER NEW ARTISTS
CONFERENCE DAY 2 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Info Sessions, Networking, and Consortia Meetings
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9:00-10:30 a.m. Resource and Strategy Session:
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CIPA's Belonging by Design: Artmaking Amid Policy Pushback
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9:00-10:50 a.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:
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Financial Agility in Volatile Times: Practical Guidance for Arts Professionals
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Building Venue Resilience: From Extreme Weather to Security Concerns
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: ​The Arts as Civic Strategy—Bridging Policy, Business, and Culture​ Join leaders from government, business, and the arts in a dynamic dialogue on the role of performing arts as changemakers. The session will spotlight actionable approaches for building civic influence, advancing policy, and forging cross-sector alliances—delivering insight and inspiration for practitioners and advocates.
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1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!
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2:00-3:30 p.m.
Works-In-Progress Pitch Session
This artist pitch session featuring pre-selected projects not yet ready to tour. Explore and initiate partnerships to develop new work!​
4:00-5:30 p.m.​
Discovery Roundtables: Just SEW (Socially Engaged Work)
Join artists and presenters making and supporting work rooted in community, activism and/or social practice: Connect and collaborate!​​​​
6:00-7:00 p.m. Resource and Strategy Session:
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International Cultural Exchange: Opportunities, Updates and Networking​
6:00-7:00 p.m. EXPO After Hours (Booths need not be staffed.)
SPOTLIGHT: THE EXPO
THE WORLD's LEADING PERFORMING
ARTS MarketPLACE
The APAP|NYC EXPO opens on Saturday, January 10 and runs through Monday, January 12. (conference registrants only, registration required).
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300+ booths in the APAP|NYC EXPO Commons bring the industry together to book seasons and tours, develop new creative collaborations, and get business done face-to-face. This is the world’s largest marketplace for the performing arts and the center of the APAP|NYC action!
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ALL EXPO Hours:
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SATURDAY, January 10: 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Plus, EXPO After Hours: Bonus Time from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
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SUNDAY, January 11: 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Plus, EXPO After Hours: Bonus Time from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
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MONDAY, January 12: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-6:00 p.m.
(From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m., EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
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Interested in exhibiting? Booths are selling out quickly, so don’t lose your spot. Indicate your interest when you register.
Want to know who’s exhibiting? Check out the list here.
Interested in exhibiting? Learn more.
Conducting business in the EXPO at APAP|NYC 2025
(Christy Kissick/APAP)
Works & Process Underground Uptown Festival at the Guggenheim at APAP|NYC 2025 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
LEARNING TOGETHER ABOUT Arts aDVOCACY and Future-Proofing
CONFERENCE DAY 3 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Info Sessions, Networking, and Consortia Meetings
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9:00-10:15 a.m. Resource and Strategy Session:
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Rapid Response Advocacy: Skill Building for Urgent Moments​
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9:00-10:30 a.m. Resource and Strategy Session:
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AI Resource Hub Live: Tools for Creativity, Strategy, and Capacity Building for the Arts
10:30-11:30 a.m.
APAP Annual Member Meeting
Join us for the Annual APAP Member Meeting. Engage with other members and hear from APAP leadership on the latest updates.
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12:00-1:15 p.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:
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Future-Proofing the Arts: Leading, Innovating, Influencing
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NAPAMA's Making Artistic Cents: "Where's the Money?"
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1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!​
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2:30-4:00 p.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:​​
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The Seven-Minute Arts Advocacy Pitch
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The Art of Innovative Collaboration: AI for Artists​​
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4:00-5:30 p.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:
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​ArtsRx: Building Health and Wellbeing Partnerships​
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Art Across Borders: Policy, Practice, and Pathways for International Artists
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6:00-7:00 p.m. EXPO After Hours (Booths need not be staffed.)
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
CELEBRATING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST STARS
CONFERENCE DAY 4 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
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8:00-9:00 a.m.
Info Sessions, Networking, and Consortia Meetings
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9:30-10:00 a.m.
The APAP Honors Awards Breakfast Meet & Greet
Grab a bite and enjoy time with colleagues before The APAP Honors Awards ceremony begins.
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10:00-11:30 a.m.
The APAP Honors Awards Ceremony​
The APAP Honors Awards special event returns. Join colleagues from across the performing arts to celebrate those who have made an impact on the field and those who are shaping the future.
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11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EXPO open!
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12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:
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Responsible Innovation, Digital Trust, and the Performing Arts
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YPCA at 30: What Propels the Next Generation
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1:30-3:00 p.m.
APAP's Mentor Exchange Live
Conversations with field leaders and alumni from APAP's Board of Directors, Leadership Fellows Program, Emerging Leaders Institute and Artist Institute.
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1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!
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3:30-4:30 p.m. Resource and Strategy Sessions:
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Navigating Generational Shifts in Leadership and Labor in the Arts
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Resilience Resources for the Arts: Navigating Accountability and Advocacy​​
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6:00-7:00 p.m. Resource and Strategy Session:
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Fraud Prevention in Ticketing: From Attack to Protection, by AudienceView
Award of Merit Honoree Terence Blanchard and APAP Board Chair Renae Williams Niles at The 2024 APAP Honors (Adam Kissick/APAP)
Kelli O'Hara performed at the APAP|NYC 2025 Closing Plenary
(Adam Kissick/APAP)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
END ON A HIGH NOTE
CONFERENCE CLOSING DAY EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Farewell Breakfast Meet & Greet
Connect with colleagues at this closing networking event.
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10:00-11:00 a.m.
Closing Plenary Session: Expanding Our Tent: Welcoming the New and Becoming the Next​​​​ The conference closes with a celebration of artistic experimentation and digital innovation, challenging participants to envision how technology and human creativity intertwine to build future-ready organizations and audience experiences.
SPOTLIGHT: SHOWCASES
Don’t miss 1000+ showcases happening in and around NYC!
Independently produced showcases light up the stages across the city, before, during, and after the conference. The brightest stars and the newest works of every discipline and genre from around the world are right here at APAP|NYC.
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Experience showcases all day and all night, every day during the conference. Conference registrants can view Showcase Listings on our online platform, starting in November.
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Want to highlight your showcase? Be sure to purchase a Showcase Listing through the conference registration portal.
Learn more about how to showcase and how to attend showcases here.
Ballez Showcase at APAP|NYC 2025 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
TO REGISTER
APAP|NYC is the world's premier gathering of the performing arts presenting, booking and touring industry and the annual members conference of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
You must have a current APAP membership to register and to access the conference and the APAP|NYC online platform/app. If your membership expires on or before January 31, 2026, you must renew it to maintain access to key conference information and to attend the conference itself.
APAP|NYC 2025 Registration Desk (Christy Kissick/APAP)
© Copyright 2025 - Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)