Venues Day 2026: This One Goes to Eleven

Tuesday 17 March
Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT

MVT’s national networking event returns for 2026 with a format more focused than ever on what GMV operators and teams actually need. A day designed for learning new things, connecting with useful people and companies, and reaffirming that you are part of a nationwide network of people who understand the joys and challenges of what you do.

 

Schedule

10:00–11:00

Registration, Coffee & Networking

11:00–11:25

Welcome & Intro

with special guests Dame Caroline Dinenage & Lord Kevin Brennan

11:25–12:30

Team MVT presents findings from the 2025 Annual Report & what’s next for the UK GMV sector

Speakers: Mark Davyd, Beverley Whitrick, Sophie Asquith, Denzil Thomas, Rebecca Walker & Toni Coe-Brooker

12:30–13:30

Networking lunch

13:30–17:00

6 strands of activity to choose from

  1. Panels
    The MVT Annual Report 2025 contains a section on the wider impact of GMVs, focusing on 3 key groups of people. These panels offer an opportunity to explore those themes further.

    • 13:30-14:25 The Crew
      Public perception of the vital role GMVs play in the talent pipeline has never been stronger. This session will discuss their function as critical training grounds for the technical, production, and managerial professionals essential to the live music ecosystem, and explore how this can be supported.

      Speakers: Danni Brownsill (SJM), Ed Warren (Professional Lighting Designer), Emma Bownes (AEG International), Sam Dabb (Le Pub,Newport), Josie Faulkner (Big Scary Monsters), Jim Mitcham (Freelance TM & Sound Engineer)

    • 14:45-15:40 The Artists
      In 2024/25 major artists stepped forward to take the lead on the Grassroots Levy and support the work of MVT. This session will explore the relationship between artists and venues, and how we work together to advocate for a stronger grassroots sector.

      Speakers: Arusa Qureshi (Freelance Writer, Editor & Music Programmer), Andrew Carthy (Mr. Scruff), Catherine Anne Davies (The Anchoress), Adrian Jones (Corsica Studios, London), Tallulah Sim-Savage
      (HotWax), Andrew Trendell (NME)

    • 16:00-16:55 The Fans
      With the huge step forward in asking fans what they actually think during 2025, this session brings the need to communicate clearly with your venue community to the fore. Topics under discussion will include the Ethical Venues project, audience surveys and audience trust.

      Speakers: Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly & MVT), Anthony Barlow (UTB Manchester), Ben Morgan (The Snug, Atherton), Kathryn McShane (The Black Box, Belfast), Sophie Asquith (MVT),
      Steve Griffiths (Gig Life Crisis)

  2. Presentations
    Short practical sessions designed to share information, tools and processes to help your venue

    • 13:30-14:00 How to Know If You Need to Say No (Denzil Thomas)
    • 14:15-14:45 From Firefighting to Front Pages (Toni Coe-Brooker & Sue Harris)
    • 15:00-15:30 Liveline: What It Is & How to Be Part of It (Rebecca Walker)
    • 15:45-16:15 How To Ensure the Correct Songwriters are Getting Paid (Gareth Kelly)
    • 16:30-17:00 Venue Improvements: What You Need to Know (Mark Davyd & project partners)
  3. Workshops
    • Guru Expertise Sessions
      • 13:30-14:20 Landlord & Tenancy Best Practice (Brendan Fisher, Sam Winter-Alsop & Lloyd Bent)
      • 14:40-15:30 Starting Financial Strategy & Building Up Your Financial Processes (Andy Barber, Steve Trigg & Aled Owens)
      • 15:50-16:40 How to Make a Loud Noise for a Living (Licensing & Acoustics) (Richard Vivian, Niall Forde & Jay Taylor)
    • Venue Development Sessions
      • 13:30-14:20 Introducing Venue MOT (Sophie Asquith & Stina Tweeddale)
      • 14:40-15:30 Ethical Venues Workshop – Brainstorming & Roundtable (Lala Oyegun & Charlie Bungay)
      • 15:50-16:40 Foundations of Programming (Rebecca Walker & Toni Coe-Brooker)
  4. Venues Day partner stands
    A great space for in-person conversations with MVT partners and suppliers to the GMV sector.
  5. One-to-one sessions with Gurus
    Bookable sessions with MVT‘s experts in Planning, Licensing, Acoustics, Finance, Legal issues and more.
  6. Informal Networking
    Catch up with other venue reps, not-for-profit partners, gurus, event partners and other sector stakeholders, with refreshments available through the afternoon.

17:00–17:30

Grab a complimentary drink

From our partners, Fightback (beer), Jack Daniel’s (spirits) or Most Wanted (wine) before returning upstairs for the final session

17:30–18:00

Wrap Up Session

18:00-20:00

Complimentary drinks from our partners

From 19:30

Other Activities

Venues Day Afterparty – Strongroom, 120-124 Curtain Road, Shoreditch
Gigs across London – various venues, details tbc.

 

If you are interested in being a partner for this event, please contact partnerships@musicvenuetrust.com
For general information, please contact beverley@musicvenuetrust.com