This week, the 14th annual CMAOntario Festival & Awards are taking place in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada. It’s a weekend full of country music from May 29 – 31, featuring Songs & Stories, The Trail, TuneUp Conference, Bonfire and closing it all out with the CMAOntario Awards Show.
Sounds Australia will be represented at the event this year by Larry Heath and Glenn Dickie who’ll be appearing at the TuneUp Conference on Sunday 31 May.
Both will be participating in the Career Connections: Industry Roundtables from 9:30am – 11:00am and the panel Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders from 12:30pm – 1:15pm.
For more information on the event, visit the CMAOntario website.
CMAONTARIO FESTIVAL & AWARDS 2026
R2I TUNEUP CONFERENCE
SUN 31 MAY · 9:30AM – 2:30PM
9:30am – 11:00am
Career Connections: Industry Roundtables (90 minutes)
Step into a dynamic, interactive session designed to fast-track your music industry relationships. Over 90 minutes, you’ll rotate through curated roundtables featuring managers, agents, labels, radio, talent buyers, and publicists/marketing professionals—gaining insider insights while building meaningful connections.
Each table offers a focused discussion on key topics, from career development to touring strategies and audience growth. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and receive feedback from both industry experts and peers in an engaging, collaborative environment.
Unlike traditional networking mixers, this format ensures every participant has a chance to connect with a wide range of professionals, making each conversation purposeful and actionable. Discover new opportunities for collaboration, spark ideas, and leave with a stronger, more diverse network to support your career growth.
Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, managers and industry professionals
Facilitator: Logan & Jenna
Panelists:
- David Thomson — Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer
- Lisa McEwen — Nashville-Published Songwriter and Recording Artist
- Adam Gonshor — Publicist, Collabo PR
- Neil Anthony — National Promotions Manager, Starseed Entertainment
- Julia Pittman — Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment
- Dayna Bourgoin — Industry Relations, iHeartRadio Canada / National Music Director – Pure Country
- Jeremy Slattery — National Music Director, Stingray Radio
- Jodi Decker — Founder, OnDeck Music Group | Music Promotion Strategist | A&R • Artist Development
- Paul Ferguson — VP, Programming & Operations at Starboard Communications – Cool 100.1 & 95.5 Hits FM
- Steve Kassay — VP, Programming/Operations at Durham Radio Inc.
- Jenna Weishar — Head of Artist & Industry Relations, Front Porch Music
- Logan Miller — Music Marketing Professional, Branding SEO and Social Media Expert, Founder Front Porch Music
- Chloe LeBlanc — Project Manager, Strut Entertainment / STRUT VIP
- Kode Roberts — Artist Manager, The Familie
- Jill Snell — Co-founder, Jayward Artist Group Inc., founder, Road Angel Entertainment – Manager, Label VP
- Tracy-Ann Gagnon — Head of Communications and Marketing, Festival Franco-Ontarien
- Patrick Duffy — Creative Director, Attention Design
- Ali Raney — Director of Label Operations, Starseed Records
- Andy Hawke — General Manager, Anthem Records
- Brooke Dunford — Director, Booking & Business Development, Republic Live | RLive Management | Boots and Hearts | Burl’s Creek Event Grounds
- Carla Hackman — Founder | Agent, Fame Agency Group
- Larry Heath — Associate Producer, Sounds Australia
- Glenn Dickie — Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia
- Samantha Pickard — President, Strut Entertainment
12:30pm – 1:15pm
Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders (45 minutes)
Practical strategies for booking venues, routing tours, maximizing show income, and using radio and industry exposure to expand into international markets.
Touring is one of the most powerful ways for independent artists to grow their audience and build a sustainable career. This workshop will guide artists through the process of planning and booking their own tours across Canada without the support of an agent or tour manager. Participants will learn how to research and route tours, approach venues professionally, promote shows effectively, and maximize income through ticket sales, merchandise, and alternative performance opportunities such as house concerts. The session will also explore how radio exposure and international industry connections can open doors to touring opportunities beyond Canada.
Participants:
- Jessie T, Artist/Songwriter
- Larry Heath, Associate Producer, Sounds Australia
- Glenn Dickie, Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia