Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has unveiled the programme and speakers for WINCON 2026, taking place in Toronto, Canada, on November 9–11.
The annual independent music conference will mark WIN’s 20th anniversary, with seven sessions examining streaming, rights income and collective responses to changes in the industry.
Programme and industry priorities
Across three days, the programme will address consolidation and financialization, music discovery, streaming fraud and the growing volume of generative artificial intelligence (AI) content.
Other topics include working with collective management organizations to access neighboring rights income, Merlin membership and how trade associations are adapting to changes in the sector.
The announced session titles include:
- From Advocacy to Ownership: How Independent Music Builds Durable Power
- Streaming in Focus: What’s Next for Independents?
- Navigating Merlin Membership: A Practical Guide for Trade Associations
- Music Streaming in The Age of AI: Discovery, Monetization and the New Music Marketplace
- Stronger Together: How Independents Can Unlock the Global Value of Music
WIN has connected independent music businesses and trade associations over the past two decades. Its conference provides a forum to exchange knowledge, develop relationships and coordinate responses to shared issues.
Anniversary events will run throughout the gathering, including a dedicated WIN 20th Anniversary Mixer.
Speakers and association leaders
The speaker roster includes label executives, trade association representatives and other industry participants from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other regions.
Label and music-business speakers include:
- Tony Kiewel, Sub Pop
- Jason Peterson, GoDigital
- Justin West, Secret City Records
- Felippe Llerena, ABMI
- Mark Meyer, Random Sounds, also listed with AMI-PY
- Gord Dimitrieff, Aporia Records
- Pierre Gourde, MetaMusic
Trade association leaders taking part include:
- Helen Smith, IMPALA
- Ian Harrison and Lisa Hresko, A2IM
- Ruth Koleva, ANMIP, also listed with IMPALA
- Céline Lepage, FÉLIN
- Gee Davy, AIM
- Sonia Durán, UFi
- Jakob Sørensen, DUP
- Jörg Heidemann, VUT
- Alexander Hirschenhauser, VIMÖ
Other participants include Dan Nevin of Merlin, the global digital music licensing partner for independents, Hubert Léveillé Gauvin of Canadian collective management organization Panorama, and researcher Brodie Conley.
The session listings also name Paul Mornon of WIN, Rollie Pemberton of CIMA and Sujan Hong of Qobuz.
Toronto venues and shared sessions
WINCON will run alongside CIMA’s Make It Music conference and Label Summit, following the participation of WIN’s board of directors in Make It Music last year.
The arrangement will connect international delegates with Canada’s independent music community. Sessions will be shared with CIMA’s events on the following schedule:
- Monday, November 9: WINCON delegates join CIMA’s Label Summit at the Society Clubhouse.
- Tuesday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 11: WINCON sessions take place at The Great Hall within the Make It Music programme.
WIN network members Josh Madell of Secretly Distribution, Zena White of Partisan Records and David Barnes of Rhymesayers Entertainment will also appear in Make It Music sessions outside the WINCON programme.
The wider Make It Music speaker roster also includes journalist Liz Pelly.
CIMA President and CEO Andrew Cash said the partnership would help Canadian-owned businesses and their artists develop international connections and opportunities.
Annual meeting and event support
WIN’s Annual General Meeting will include presentations on the organization’s projects and activities from its secretariat and officers, alongside Cash.
The officers participating are Chair Mark Kitcatt of Everlasting Records, Vice-chair Marty Ro of Sound Republica and Treasurer Maria Amato of AIR. Kitcatt is also listed as a streaming-session speaker with IMPALA.
WIN is organizing the conference in partnership with CIMA. Support comes from Merlin and CanExport, the Canadian federal programme helping small and medium-sized enterprises enter new international markets.
The event is also co-funded by the European Union through IMPALA’s network programme.
