Midwest Arts XPO (MAX)
When: 15–18 September 2025, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Midwest Arts XPO (MAX) is a regional performing arts conference serving the central United States and hosted by Heartland Performing Arts, Inc., a nonprofit founded by agents, artists and consortia leaders from across the Midwest.
The annual event brings together arts professionals to encourage innovation, create educational opportunities, strengthen artist touring relationships, and support arts advocacy throughout the region. Over four days, attendees engage in professional development sessions, keynotes, showcases and networking events. midwestartsxpo.org/conference
Pacific Contact 2025
When: 2–5 October 2025, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Pacific Contact is British Columbia’s annual performing arts showcase conference and brings together hundreds of performing arts professionals for approximately
40 live, multi-disciplinary performances, including
music, dance and theatre.
Attendees can explore the Contact Room exhibit hall, participate in networking events, panels, meetings, and workshops, and discover new artists. Highlights include the ‘Pitch & Perform’ sessions, offering artists five-minute opportunities to showcase or pitch their work. The conference also features a gala awards dinner with live performances and dancing.
bclive.ca/pacific-contact-2025/
PAMS 2025
When: 14–18 October 2025, Seoul, Korea
Celebrating its 21st edition and 20th anniversary, the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) returns this October across major venues including the National Theater of Korea and ARKO Arts Theater. Co-hosted by Korea Arts Management Service and the National Theater of Korea, PAMS has grown into one of Asia’s leading international performing arts platforms. The event showcases Korean performing arts and fosters collaboration with global partners to strengthen a sustainable performing arts ecosystem.
2025 FACP Bucheon Conference
When: 16–19 October 2025, Bucheon, Korea
The Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion (FACP) hosts its annual symposium, entitled “Innovation & Collaboration: Next Phase of the Performing Arts”, bringing together global performing arts professionals for dialogue and collaboration. The programme features keynotes from Seiichi Kondo and Yvonne Tham, alongside forums on technology’s role in shaping the stage and strategies for engaging new audiences. Evening concerts include the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Korea. Open exclusively to FACP members, the conference concludes with Pitch for New Aspects awards and elections.
Early-bird registration is available until 31 August 2025.
SPAF 2025
When: 16 October – 9 November 2025, Seoul, Korea
Marking its 25th edition, the Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) returns across Seoul’s major venues, including the National Theater of Korea and ARKO Arts Theater. Co-hosted by Korea Arts Management Service, the National Theater of Korea, and Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, SPAF is Korea’s leading international festival for contemporary performing arts. Showcasing theatre, dance and multidisciplinary works, the festival spotlights Korean and international artists through performances, creative labs, and workshops. Part of the wider K-Stage Festa, SPAF continues to expand artistic exchange and foster dialogue on today’s most pressing questions.
Classically Black
When: 18 October, London, UK
Presented by Black Lives in Music (BLiM), Classically Black returns to Kings Place for a powerful one-day festival reimagining the future of classical music through Black and global majority perspectives.
The programme features performances by Sabi Ensemble, Simmy Singh and The Jollof House Party Opera, a keynote from Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, a panel discussion on equity in classical music and Evolving Sounds—a showcase for emerging artists. A youth workshop led by composer Pete Letanka nurtures the next generation, while
DJ Spoony leads a special fifth anniversary celebration for BLiM with live UK garage and R&B performances.
kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/black-lives-in-music-presents-classically-black/
WOMEX
When: 22–26 October 2025, Tampere, Finland
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) is celebrating its 31st edition in Tampere, Finland. With over 2,600 professionals (including 260 performing artists) from 90 countries, it is the most international and culturally diverse music meeting in the world. The conference features a trade fair of over 700 exhibitors, talks, films and showcase concerts from around the globe.
2025 AAPPAC Conference
When: 21–23 October 2025, Daejeon, Korea
The 2025 AAPPAC Conference will be held in Daejeon, the “City of Science” at the heart of Korea from 21 to 23 October 2025. Hosted by Daejeon Arts Center (DJAC), the theme of this year’s conference, From Local Inspiration to Global Influence, underscores the global impact and contributions of Korea’s performing arts scene and theatres.
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions, delegates will learn about the growth and successes of Korean Culture, gain fresh perspectives on interdisciplinary cooperation between art and science, and explore how global cohesion can be fostered through the performing arts.
In addition to the exciting line-up of discussions and networking opportunities, participants will get a chance to visit other cultural institutions and landmarks within Daejeon and Seoul.
Early bird registration is now open for all AAPPAC members until 5 September 2025.
APAP|NYC 2025 Conference
When: 9–13 January 2026, New York City, US
Registration is now open for the APAP|NYC 2026 Conference. Join fellow performing arts professionals from the world of presenting, booking and touring and make new contacts as you attend the many events, from professional development sessions and networking opportunities to artist discovery sessions, EXPO, showcases and more.
Register by 28 August 2025 for a special “Summer Sprint” price of $799. (Select the Early Bird rate of $849, and the $50 discount will appear at checkout when you register by August 28, 2025.) And remember, artists can register for $275!
