Kickstart your path to success in the music industry with expert insights, practical tools, and proven strategies. This conference is designed to equip you with the knowledge and resources to confidently navigate the fast-paced music business and lay the foundation for a sustainable, thriving career.

Saturday

• 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM (75 minutes) – Sync Licensing
• 10:55 AM – 12:25 PM (90 minutes) – Understanding Royalties
• 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (90 minutes) – AGM & Town Hall
• 2:10 PM – 3:25 PM (75 minutes) – Songwriting Masterclass

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9:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Getting Your Music on Screen: Sync Licensing (75 minutes)

Ever wonder how songs end up in TV shows, movies, ads, and video games? Sync licensing is one of the most powerful ways to earn income and reach new audiences — but breaking in takes more than luck.

In this interactive session, music supervisors, sync agents, and artists with real sync success will share exactly what they look for, how to prepare your catalogue, and how to pitch effectively. You’ll learn how to make your music sync-ready, understand key contract terms, and avoid rookie mistakes that can cost you opportunities.

Whether you’re new to sync or already pitching, this session will give you insider knowledge and practical strategies to help you land placements and get your music on screen.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

•       Understand what sync licensing is and why it matters as an income stream.
•       Identify what music supervisors and sync agents look for when selecting songs.
•       Prepare and organize their catalogue to be sync-ready.
•       Recognize common contract terms and pitfalls in sync deals.
•       Apply practical strategies to pitch music effectively.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, and managers interested in sync licensing
Facilitator: Tristen Coffey, Sync Agent, The HOOK Sync Group

Panelists:

• Cadence Grace, Artist/Songwriter
• Joelle May, General Manager, New Motor Records

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10:55 AM – 12:25 PM

Understanding Royalties — There’s Money Waiting for You (90 minutes) 
Presented by ACTRA/RACS

Are you leaving money on the table? As an artist, songwriter, or performer, royalties are one of the most important income streams — but only if you know how to claim them. This interactive workshop will demystify SOCAN, SoundExchange/CMRRA, ARTISTI, SOPROQ, and more, showing you exactly how to register, collect, and track the royalties you’re entitled to.

Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and practical tools, you’ll learn how to uncover hidden income, organize your royalty streams, and make sure you get paid for your work. Walk away with a clear action plan, a royalty tracking checklist, and the confidence to manage your earnings like a pro.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify the different types of royalties available to artists, songwriters, and performers.
• Understand how to register with key collection organizations (SOCAN, SoundExchange, ARTISTI, SOPROQ, etc.).   Note: ACTRA/RACS collects from SoundExchange
•  Map out their own royalty income streams.
• Apply practical tools to track earnings and ensure they are not leaving money on the table.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals

Facilitator:

• Andrew Karis, Associate Director, ACTRA PRS

Panelists:

• Marianne Anderson, Publisher Relations Manager, CMRRA
• Michael Greaves, Director, Royalty Processing & Income Tracking, Anthem
• Sébastien Charest, Gestion de droits / Rights Management

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12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

AGM & Town Hall (90 minutes)

Join us for the 2026 CMAOntario Annual General Meeting and Town Hall — your opportunity to help shape the future of the association. This session gives members a platform to share ideas, perspectives, and priorities, ensuring the association understands and reflects the needs of its community.

By participating in discussions and providing input, members play a direct role in guiding strategic plans, setting priorities, and influencing initiatives that align with CMAOntario’s shared vision and goals. Come contribute, connect, and help chart the path forward for Ontario’s country music community.

• Patrick Duffy, CMAOntario Chair
• Brian Allen, CMAOntario Secretary
• Brooke Dunford, CMAOntario Treasurer

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2:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Songwriting Masterclass – Insights & Collaboration (75 minutes) 

What does it actually look like when professional songwriters sit down to build a song for an emerging artist? This masterclass pulls back the curtain on the modern co-writing room — live, unscripted, and in real time.

Veteran producer and songwriter Douglas Romanow (Don Amero, Rebecca Rain, Jade Hilton, Nicole Rayy) brings together Nashville topliner Chrystal Grainger and rising country-pop artist Parker Graye for an interactive workshop and live co-write demonstration.

The session is designed to give attendees three things in one afternoon: fresh creative tools and inspiration from the artists themselves, a front-row seat to a professional writing session happening in the room, and practical industry knowledge for building a sustainable career around their craft.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with:

• A real understanding of how professional co-writing sessions are structured and navigated
• Practical tools for idea generation, lyric writing, melody, hooks, and overcoming writer’s block
• First-hand insight into the topliner/track model that drives much of today’s industry
• A clearer roadmap for building and advancing a professional songwriting or artist career
• Fresh inspiration — and a song concept that was started live in the room

This is the writing room — no filter.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers
Facilitator: Douglas Romanow, Music Producer / Songwriter / Dolby Atmos Mixer at dR Music

Featuring:

• OUDi (Chrystal Grainger), Artist/Songwriter
• Parker Graye, Artist/Songwriter

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Made Possible with the support of Ontario Creates