20/10/2026
WIN has announced the program and speakers for WINCON 2026, its annual global conference for the independent music community. Taking place from November 9–11 in Toronto, Canada, the conference will mark WIN’s 20th anniversary, bringing its global community together to reflect on two decades of collaboration and to shape the future of independent music.
WINCON 2026 will take place alongside CIMA’s Make It Music conference and Label Summit, giving delegates from around the world direct access to Canada’s independent music community. Through WIN’s partnership with IMPALA under its EU-funded network programme, WINCON will also create new opportunities for collaboration and exchange with European businesses. Merlin, the digital licensing partner for independents globally, is a proud supporter of both WINCON and Make It Music.
Across seven sessions spread out over three days, WINCON 2026 will explore the forces reshaping the global music sector and discuss how independents can build durable collective power as consolidation and financialization reshape the industry. Program topics include the sector’s response to discoverability challenges, streaming fraud, and the flood of generative AI content; collaboration with collective management organizations to unlock neighboring rights income; navigating Merlin membership; and trade associations adapting to an evolving ecosystem.
On November 9, WINCON delegates will join participants in CIMA’s Label Summit at Toronto’s Society Clubhouse. On November 10 and 11, WINCON sessions will take place at The Great Hall as part of the wider Make It Music program.
The line-up brings together label leaders, trade association executives, and industry experts from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond. Speakers include Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop), Jason Peterson (GoDigital), Justin West (Secret City Records), Felippe Llerena (Nikita Music/ABMI), Mark Meyer (Random Sounds/AMI-PY), Marty Ro (Sound Republica/LIAK), Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records), Pierre Gourde (MétaMusique) and Tak Yamazaki (IMCJ).
They will be joined by trade association leaders Helen Smith (IMPALA), Ian Harrison and Lisa Hresko (A2IM), Ruth Koleva (ANMIP), Céline Lepage (FÉLIN), Gee Davy (AIM), Sonia Durán (UFi), Jakob Sørensen (DUP), Jörg Heidemann (VUT) and Alexander Hirschenhauser (VIMÖ), as well as Dan Nevin from Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for independents globally, Hubert Léveillé Gauvin from Canadian CMO Panorama, and researcher Brodie Conley.
The WIN secretariat, Chair (Mark Kitcatt, Everlasting Records), Vice-chair (Marty Ro, Sound Republica) and Treasurer (Maria Amato, AIR), alongside CIMA’s CEO Andrew Cash, will present the organization’s projects and activities at WIN’s Annual General Meeting.
Members of the WIN network Josh Madell (Secretly Distribution), Zena White (Partisan Records), and David Barnes (Rhymesayers Entertainment) will also participate in other Make It Music sessions outside of the WINCON program, which also feature speakers such as journalist Liz Pelly and many more.
Over the past 20 years, WIN has built connections between independent music businesses and trade associations around the world. WINCON brings that network together in person to exchange knowledge, strengthen relationships, and develop shared responses to the issues affecting independents globally. The anniversary will be celebrated throughout the conference, including at a dedicated WIN 20th Anniversary Celebration.
Twenty years ago, independent music trade associations around the world decided they were stronger together and formed WIN. WINCON is where we celebrate what that collaboration has achieved, and where we look ahead to what comes next. From policy to streaming, AI, and neighboring rights, the issues on this year’s program are ones no market can solve alone. We’re delighted to celebrate this special milestone edition of WINCON in Toronto alongside the Canadian independent community and CIMA.
Noemí Planas, WIN CEO
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. By collaborating globally, we can strengthen our networks here at home and build new opportunities abroad for Canadian-owned companies and their artists.
Andrew Cash, CIMA President and CEO
WINCON 2026 is organized by WIN in partnership with CIMA. It is supported by CanExport, the Canadian federal funding program designed to help SMEs expand into new international markets, and Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for independents globally, and co-funded by the EU through IMPALA’s network programme.
Sessions on Monday are shared with CIMA’s Label Summit; sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday are shared with CIMA’s Make It Music.
From Advocacy to Ownership: How Independent Music Builds Durable Power
Speakers: Brodie Conley, Dan Nevin (Merlin), Helen Smith (IMPALA), Ian Harrison (A2IM), Justin West (Secret City), Tak Yamazaki (IMCJ)
Streaming in Focus: What’s Next for Independents?
Speakers: Céline Lepage (FÉLIN), Gee Davy (AIM), Helen Smith (IMPALA), Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting/IMPALA), Mark Meyer (Random Sounds), Paul Mornon (WIN), Ruth Koleva (ANMIP), Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop)
WIN Annual General Meeting
Speakers: Mark Kitcatt (Chair), Marty Ro (Vice Chair), Maria Amato (Treasurer), Helen Smith (IMPALA), Mark Meyer (AMI-PY), Andrew Cash (CIMA), Noemí Planas (WIN), Nerea Serrano (WIN), Paul Mornon (WIN)
Navigating Merlin Membership: A Practical Guide for Trade Associations
Speakers: Dan Nevin (Merlin)
Music Streaming in The Age of AI: Discovery, Monetization and the New Music Marketplace
Speakers: Felippe Llerena (Nikita Music/ABMI), Gee Davy (AIM), Jason Peterson (GoDigital), Marty Ro (Sound Republica/LIAK), Rollie Pemberton (CIMA), Sujan Hong (Qobuz)
Stronger Together: How Independents Can Unlock the Global Value of Music
Speakers: Andrew Cash (CIMA), Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia), Hubert Léveillé Gauvin (Panorama), Noemí Planas (WIN), Pierre Gourde (MétaMusique)
Evolving Together: How Trade Associations Are Adapting to New Definitions of Independence
Speakers: Alexander Hirschenhauser (VIMÖ), Andrew Cash (CIMA), Jakob Sørensen (DUP), Jörg Heidemann (VUT), Lisa Hresko (A2IM), Nerea Serrano (WIN), Sonia Durán (UFi)
WIN 20th Anniversary Celebration
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