Name: Greg Ord
Price range: $

2026 Incubator Program Session Descriptions:

Canadian RPNs: How Do I Know I’m Ready?
Presented by the Atlantic Presenters Association

March 10, 7:00PM AT

Hosted by the Atlantic Presenters Association, this panel-style workshop introduces artists to Canadian Regional Presenters Networks (RPNs) and the role they play in touring and presenting work across the country. Panelists will discuss indicators of readiness for applying to RPN showcase opportunities, including relevant performance and touring experience, professional assets, pricing considerations, and the importance of relationship-building. The session also explores how artists can position their work for presenter audiences and what to emphasize when preparing applications. Participants are encouraged to arrive with a basic understanding of Contact events; preparatory resources will be shared in advance of the session.
Panelists:
Laurie Gillis – Atlantic Presenters Association/Contact East
Miriam Manley - BC Live
Jane Ireland - Manitoba Arts Network
Kevin Korchinski - OSAC
Skip Taylor - OSAC
Kennedy Jensen - Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta
Judy Harquail - Ontario Presents
Sue Urquhart - CAPACOA

ECMA 2026 Conference & Export Orientation: What to Expect and How to Prepare

March 18, 7:00PM AT

Designed to support artists preparing for an industry showcase week, this workshop offers a practical introduction to events like the ECMA Festival and Conference. Participants will learn how to prepare for the event, set realistic and meaningful goals, and navigate both formal and informal opportunities. Topics include self-promotion, networking basics, and strategies for making the most of time on-site, like showcasing tips for an industry audience, and media/interview prep.

Export One-on-One Meetings: Platform Tutorial

March 23, 7:00PM AT

ECMA is introducing a new digital platform for members to apply for Export One-on-One Meetings. Join the ECMA team for a live walkthrough of how to use the system to request meetings with delegates. We’ll cover how to create a profile, how to select meeting requests, how to access the meeting schedule, and more.

Building an Effective Artist Online Presence

April 7, 7:00PM AT

Delegates attending ECMA will often research showcasing artists in advance, and your online presence is their first point of contact. This session focuses on ensuring your website and social platforms clearly reflect who you are and where you’re headed as an artist. We’ll discuss what industry professionals look for when researching artists, and review audits of select participants’ social media profiles for real-world examples. A digital marketing expert will cover the fundamentals of building a digital strategy that supports your career goals.

Music In Motion: Sync Basics

April 14, 7:00PM AT

Music in Motion: Sync Basics offers a foundational overview of music synchronization and licensing, serving as a primer ahead of the Music in Motion Sync Summit at ECMA 2026. Participants will learn what sync is, who the key players are (like music supervisors and publishers), and how music is selected for film, television, and other media. The session also covers how artists can prepare their music and metadata for sync opportunities, and an overview of music publishing.

Income Streams for Artists: Royalties

April 21, 7:00PM AT

An overview of royalties as one component of an artist’s overall income structure, session participants will gain a clearer understanding of the different types of royalties, where they come from, and which organizations are responsible for collecting and distributing them. The goal is to demystify royalty streams and help artists understand how to ensure they’re properly set up to receive what they’re entitled to.

Productivity Tools for Artists

April 28, 7:00PM AT

A practical introduction to building sustainable organizational habits, this workshop focuses on ways to support the day-to-day work behind an independent music career. From managing projects like grant applications and showcase preparation to staying on top of ongoing tasks, strong systems can make a meaningful difference. A small business strategist will introduce digital productivity tools and workflows designed to help artists stay organized, focused, and aligned with their goals at any stage of their career.

ANSMA 101: Navigating ECMAs as a Black Creative

Presented by ANSMA

May 5, 7:00PM AT

ANSMA 101 is a targeted pre-conference session designed to support Black music creatives preparing to attend the ECMA Festival and Conference presented by the East Coast Music Association. Grounded in both professional development and cultural context, this session offers practical tools and strategic insight to help artists move through ECMA week with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the ECMA ecosystem functions — including showcases, networking environments, export opportunities, and informal industry spaces — while exploring how to position their sound, story, and career goals effectively within it. The session will cover strategic pitching, navigating genre categorization, preparing professional assets, and protecting creative ownership, alongside guidance on royalties and key industry organizations such as SOCAN and CMRRA.

In addition to business readiness, ANSMA 101 addresses the lived realities of Black artists working within the Atlantic Canadian music sector. Through facilitated discussion and interactive exercises, participants will explore strategies for navigating industry spaces, building meaningful relationships, setting boundaries, and leveraging community networks as viable pathways to national and international export.

Whether attending as a showcasing artist, delegate, or emerging industry professional, this session equips Black creatives with the tools, perspective, and preparation needed to maximize their ECMA experience and build sustainable momentum beyond the conference week.

Export One-on-One Prep Session

May 6, 1:30PM - 4:30PM AT & May 8, 1:30PM - 4:30PM AT

This tailored training session is designed for export-ready artists, managers, and companies looking to enhance their presentation skills and one-on-one meeting techniques. Participants will gain insight into key strategies for strengthening personal communication styles, elevating their professional presence, and adapting techniques for effective, conversational business meetings.
An interactive two-hour online workshop will focus on the core elements of conducting successful business meetings, featuring live one-on-one pitch conversations observed by the group, along with feedback and insights from experienced guest presenters. Whether you're preparing to present your work or looking to sharpen your business edge, this session offers the tools and confidence to help move your career forward.

Franco Est: Table Ouverte – Dialogues & perspectives de l’industrie musicale francophone en Atlantique

le 12 mai, 19h AT

Un espace de conversation libre et participatif où les artistes et professionnels de la musique se réunissent pour exprimer leurs réalités, partager leurs besoins collectifs et identifier ensemble les priorités du secteur qui pourraient être appuyés par la conférence ECMA et ses partenaires. Cette session favorise l’écoute active, la mise en commun des enjeux et l’émergence de pistes possibles de collaboration.

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FrancoEst: Open Table – Dialogues & Perspectives of the Francophone Music Industry in Atlantic Canada

May 12, 7:00PM AT

An open and participatory conversation space where artists and music industry professionals come together to express their realities, share their collective needs, and jointly identify sector priorities that could be supported by the ECMA Conference and its partners. This session encourages active listening, the sharing of key issues, and the emergence of potential avenues for collaboration.

Post-Event Survey

Week of June 1

Debriefing One-on-Ones with the ECMA Team

Week of June 1

2026 Incubator Program

ECMA 2026 Incubator Program - Virtual Pre-Conference Training

Click Here to Register for the 2026 Incubator Program!