Volunteer with Us

Thanks to our Volunteers

Volunteer applications for this season are NOW OPEN.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Roles – CMAOntario Festival & Awards

Guest Services

Registration Team

  • Check-in attendees, speakers, and artists
  • Distribute badges, tickets, wristbands
  • Answer general event questions 

Ticket Takers / Door Staff

  • Scan/verify tickets
  • Manage entry flow
  • Direct guests to seating areas

Wayfinder

  • Helps attendees find stages, vendors, washrooms, parking
  • Greet guests warmly and provide assistance or directions
  • Help guests understand the event schedule and layout
  • Monitor foot traffic and help redirect flow if areas become congested
  • Communicate with team leads about crowd issues or guest concerns
  • Act as a positive, welcoming representative
  • Help seat guests during awards show
  • Manage reserved/VIP sections
  • Assist with accessibility seating

Transportation & Artist Services

Drivers / Transportation Team

  • Hotel and venue transfers
  • Artist & VIP transportation
  • Maintain schedule coordination with team lead 

Hospitality Concierge

  • Dedicated support for performers and speakers
  • Green room management

Food & Beverage

Bartenders (Smart Serve Required)

  • stock, set up, clean up & close (lift or move small loads, approx. 25 lbs.)
  • provide responsible drink service to patrons in cooperation with Cashiers
  • promptly report observed irregularities in alcohol service, security, or finances to the supervisor

Bar Support / Drink Runners

  • assist with stock, set up, clean up & close (lift or move small loads, approx. 25 lbs.)
  • ensure all products are re-stocked in tubs & coolers, clean tables, break down boxes, clear space of empties, garbage, etc.)
  • Ensure all attendees being served alcoholic beverages are wearing the “age verified” wristband

Cashier

  • set up, clean up & close
  • verify all attendees purchasing alcohol tickets are identified with the “Age Verified” wristband
  • Look for signs of intoxication to determine if a patron should be cut off from alcohol service
  • Process payments for drink tickets (cash and electronic payments)

Event Operations & Setup

Setup / Teardown Crew

  • Set up tables, chairs, signage, step & repeat
  • Assist with stage décor and sponsor activations
  • Tear down post-event

Runners

  • On-call support across all departments
  • Deliver materials/people as needed
  • Float between venues/rooms

Signage & Wayfinding Team

  • Install directional signage
  • Help guests navigate venues

Marketing & Media

Social Media Team

  • Capture live content (photos, reels, stories)
  • Post updates and behind-the-scenes content
  • Support sponsor tagging and engagement 

Publicist / Media Relations Assistants

  • Help coordinate media check-in
  • Escort press & photographers

Merchandising

Merch Booth Team

  • Set up and manage merch area
  • Handle sales (cash/terminal)
  • Track inventory

Conference-Specific Roles

Room Hosts / Session Coordinators

  • Greet and corral speakers
  • Monitor room supplies (ie: water for speakers)
  • Keep sessions on time

Guest Experience

Volunteer Check-In / HQ Team

  • Manage volunteer sign-in/out
  • Distribute schedules, credentials

Crowd Flow & Line Management

  • Manage high-traffic areas
  • Support safety and comfort

Accessibility Support

  • Assist guests with mobility or special needs

Sponsor & VIP Experience

VIP Experience Team

  • Manage VIP seating
  • Support “white glove” service areas

Sponsor Activation Team

  • Assist at branded areas
  • Engage guests with sponsor experiences
Accessibility Information

CMAOntario’s Accessibility Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive volunteer experience. If you require accommodations or have questions about a specific role, we encourage you to reach out so we can support your participation.

Accessibility Information – Loud/High Stimulation Event Roles

This section applies to the following volunteer roles:

Ticket Takers/Door Staff; Ushers; Runners; Green Room Hospitality; Bartenders & Bar Support; Venue Set Up & Tear Down; Social Media Team; Publicist Assistant; Merch Booth; VIP Experience & Sponsor Activation Team

Overview

All of the above roles take place indoors within festival venues. These positions may involve higher activity levels and louder environments depending on proximity to performances and event flow.

Physical Requirements

  • Standing:Optional, but often required for extended periods depending on role
  • Seating:Limited or situational
  • Mobility:Some walking required within venues
  • Terrain:Indoor flooring (may include tight or high-traffic spaces)
  • Stairs:Not typically required, but may be present in some venues

Environment

  • Location:Indoors for the duration of shifts
  • Noise Levels:Often loud due to proximity to stages or busy festival activity
  • Space Considerations:
    • Some venues may be small, crowded, or confined
    • High-traffic areas are common

Technology Use

Volunteers may be required to use:

  • Tablets / iPads
  • Laptops
  • POS systems or ticket scanning equipment
  • Mobile phones for coordination

Communication & Cognitive Requirements

  • Speaking:Required
  • Reading/Writing:Required
  • Memorization:Not required

Movement & Access

  • Some walking required throughout the venue
  • May involve navigating between rooms or event areas
  • No requirement for outdoor movement

Additional Expectations

  • Frequent social interaction with patrons, artists, and team members
  • Work in fast-paced, high-energy environments
  • Tasks may include guest services, logistics, sales, and event support

Accessibility Information – Moderate/Low-Stimulation Event Roles

This section applies to the following volunteer roles:

Registration Team; Cashiers; Conference Room Hosts; Accessibility Support

Overview

These roles take place indoors and are generally located in more controlled or quieter environments, though activity levels may still vary depending on timing and location.

Physical Requirements

  • Standing:Optional
  • Seating:Available for duration of shift
  • Mobility:Some walking required within assigned area
  • Terrain:Indoor flooring (may include tight or confined spaces)
  • Stairs:Not typically required

Environment

  • Location:Indoors for entire shift
  • Noise Levels:
    • Moderate / Not overly loud for Registration and Conference Room Hosts
    • May increase during peak times or nearby activity
  • Space Considerations:
    • Some venues may be smaller or tight in layout

Technology Use

Volunteers will be required to use:

  • Tablets / iPads
  • Laptops
  • POS or check-in systems (as applicable)

Communication & Cognitive Requirements

  • Speaking:Required
  • Reading/Writing:Required
  • Memorization:Not required

Movement & Access

  • Some walking within assigned area
  • No outdoor movement required
  • No frequent stair or building transitions required

Additional Expectations

  • Regular interaction with attendees, speakers, or sponsors
  • Tasks may include:
    • Check-in and registration support
    • Managing transactions
    • Assisting with room flow or accessibility needs
  • Work environment is generally more structured and less chaotic than main festival areas

Accessibility Information – Outdoor Festival Roles

This section applies to volunteer roles assigned to outdoor concert areas, including gates, audience zones, vendor areas, and general festival grounds.

Overview

These roles take place outdoors in a live music concert environment. Volunteers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, uneven terrain, and high-energy, loud surroundings.

Physical Requirements

  • Standing:Yes (often required for extended periods)
  • Seating:Limited or not guaranteed depending on role
  • Mobility:Required – volunteers may need to move throughout the site
  • Terrain:
    • Grass and concrete surfaces
    • May include uneven ground, slopes, or soft terrain (weather dependent)
  • Stairs:Not typically required, but some areas may include small elevations or temporary structures

Environment

  • Location:Outdoors for the duration of shifts
  • Noise Levels:Loud (live music, crowds, announcements)
  • Weather Exposure:
    • Sun, heat, wind, or rain
    • Volunteers should be prepared with appropriate clothing/footwear
  • Space Considerations:
    • Large open areas and high-traffic zones
    • Crowds may impact ease of movement

Technology Use

Volunteers may be required to use:

  • Tablets / iPads
  • Laptops
  • POS systems or ticket scanners
  • Mobile phones for communication

Communication & Cognitive Requirements

  • Speaking:Required (often in louder environments)
  • Reading/Writing:Required
  • Memorization:Not required

Movement & Access

  • Regular walking required across grass and concrete
  • May involve navigating:
    • Crowds
    • Vendor areas
    • Entry points or seating zones
  • No frequent requirement to enter buildings

Additional Expectations

  • Frequent public interaction with attendees and team members
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy outdoor setting
  • Tasks may include:
    • Guest services and wayfinding
    • Ticketing or scanning
    • Supporting vendors or activations
    • Assisting with crowd flow

Summary

These roles are best suited for volunteers who are comfortable:

  • Standing and moving for extended periods
  • Navigating mixed terrain (grass and concrete)
  • Working in outdoor weather conditions
  • Being in loud, high-energy environments
  • Engaging in frequent, public-facing communication

About Volunteering

The Country Music Association of Ontario relies on the generosity of key industry professionals who donate their time and expertise with their participation on the Board of Directors, as well as volunteers from the communities that we take our events into.

The Benefits of Volunteering

  • Connecting with the country music community
  • Sharing your passion with others
  • Building new relationships
  • Gaining confidence

It's because of the dedication of the hard-working volunteers that we are able to continue to produce our annual three-day event that brings communities together to support our emerging artists and celebrate the successes of some of country music's brightest talents.

There are a variety of roles that volunteers can fill to help the association before and during the event. Although volunteers are not paid, they are an integral part of the team. This is your chance to participate in the execution of this special event, meet new people and support Ontario's country music community.

In order to meet our goals for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards weekend, we require enthusiastic, committed volunteers. We are most grateful for the dedicated volunteers that contribute each year to the success of our event with their professionalism and dependability.

Please note that we receive a high volume of applications that exceeds the number of available positions each year. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application and our volunteer coordinator will contact you once we determine our final requirements. As such, we rely heavily on our volunteers to fulfill their commitment to us. The information you provide will be used to contact you as we prepare for the upcoming event.

Please check off the dates and times that you are available.
* IMPORTANT NOTE: All team leaders will be required to work the entire event.
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