Music Venue Trust (MVT), The Association Of Independent Promoters (AIP), The Association Of Independent Festivals (AIF) and The Entertainment Agents’ Association (TEAA) have announced the return of Grassroots Networking Day.
The one-day event, which debuted in October 2025, is designed to strengthen relationships across the grassroots live music sector and help create better shows in grassroots music venues and independent festivals.
It will return to 229 London on Tuesday, October 13, bringing together 300 booking agents, promoters, festival programmers and venue bookers for a full day of meetings, discussions and networking.
“We are excited to build on the success of the pilot event," said MVT COO Beverley Whitrick. "Ninety-eight percent of last year’s attendees said they would like to do this again, so we knew we could hone the programme to offer even more opportunities for creating great shows.”
Grassroots Networking Day, which is supported by Gigantic Tickets and by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, builds on the agent/booker meetings that have featured at previous editions of MVT’s annual Venues Day.
By working alongside MVT, AIF, AIP and the wider grassroots community, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable and better-supported future for grassroots music
Erica Crompton, The Entertainment Agents' Association
Running from 10am to 6pm, the programme will include facilitated networking sessions, bookable one-to-one meetings with agents, speed networking and more informal opportunities for delegates to connect. Attendees will include members of the Music Venues Alliance, AIF and AIP, alongside booking agents.
“Grassroots Networking Day provides a collective opportunity for the industry's bedrock to share ideas and support each other in what we do best: building the platform that enables artists to flourish,” said the AIP board.
“Grassroots agents are an essential part of the live music ecosystem, developing artists, creating opportunities and building the relationships that connect talent with venues, promoters, festivals and audiences," said Erica Crompton, president of TEAA. "We want to ensure that grassroots and independent agents have a strong place within TEAA and a meaningful voice in shaping the future of the sector. By working alongside MVT, AIF, AIP and the wider grassroots community, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable and better-supported future for grassroots music.”
Tickets will cost £30, with travel bursaries available for delegates based outside London. Members of each of the four partner organisations will receive details of how to book in early September.
PHOTO: Georgia Penny
