Independent venues and promoters face the same challenges as small businesses across the country, including rising costs, shifting consumer habits and tightening margins, while also dealing with the unique pressures of live entertainment. This panel will explore the realities of running an independent stage today, from profitability and operational hurdles to ancillary revenues and declining alcohol sales. Drawing on insights from NIVA’s State of Live Economic Research report, panelists will discuss what these forces mean for sustainability, entrepreneurship, and the future of the sector.