Grassroots Networking Day Returns for Second Edition in October 2026

Music Venue Trust, The Association of Independent Promoters, The Association of Independent Festivals and The Entertainment Agents’ Association partner on one-day event to strengthen ties across the grassroots music sector

Music Venue Trust (MVT), The Association of Independent Promoters (AIP), The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and The Entertainment Agents’ Association (TEAA) have announced the return of ‘Grassroots Networking Day’, the one-day event designed to strengthen relationships across the grassroots live music sector and help create better shows in Grassroots Music Venues and independent festivals.

Following the success of its inaugural, pilot event in October 2025, Grassroots Networking Day will return to 229 London on Tuesday 13 October 2026, bringing together 300 booking agents, promoters, festival programmers and venue bookers for a full day of meetings, discussions and networking.

Luke Hinton (AIP), Bev Whitrick (MVT) & John Rostron (AIF) at last year’s event.

Grassroots Networking Day was created to develop new relationships across the grassroots music sector and provide practical opportunities for agents, promoters, venues and festivals to work more effectively together. The event builds on the popular agent/booker meetings that have featured at previous editions of MVT’s annual ‘Venues Day’, giving the concept its own dedicated day.

Running from 10am to 6pm, the programme will include facilitated networking sessions, bookable one-to-one meetings with agents, speed networking and more informal opportunities for delegates to connect.

Attendees will include members of the Music Venues Alliance, AIF and AIP, alongside booking agents representing artists across a broad range of genres aligned with Grassroots Venues and independent festivals.

Beverley Whitrick, COO, MVT

“We are excited to build on the success of the pilot event. 98% of last year’s attendees said they would like to do this again, so we knew we could hone the programme to offer even more opportunities for creating great shows. We are grateful for the support of Gigantic Tickets and Arts Council England for helping us realise this ambition.”

Association of Independent Promoters’ Board

“AIP looks forward to being part of this vital networking event for the UK grassroots live music industry. Grassroots Networking Day provides a collective opportunity for the industry’s bedrock to share ideas and support each other in what we do best: building the platform that enables artists to flourish.”

Erica Crompton, President of The Entertainment Agents’ Association

“Grassroots agents are an essential part of the live music ecosystem, developing artists, creating opportunities and building the relationships that connect talent with venues, promoters, festivals and audiences. We want to ensure that grassroots and independent agents have a strong place within TEAA and a meaningful voice in shaping the future of the sector. By working alongside MVT, AIF, AIP and the wider grassroots community, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable and better-supported future for grassroots music.”

Grassroots Networking Day is supported by Gigantic Tickets and by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Tickets will cost £30, with travel bursaries available for delegates based outside London to ensure distance is not a barrier to taking part. Members of each of the four partner organisations will receive details of how to book in early September.