SPECIAL EVENTS

At a moment of extraordinary opportunity—and profound change—for music, two of the industry’s most influential leaders come together for a wide-ranging conversation about what comes next. RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier and Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay will explore the forces reshaping the global music ecosystem, from AI and emerging technologies to creator rights, copyright, advocacy, public policy and the evolving economics of the business.

Together, they’ll consider how the industry can best navigate music’s next chapter—balancing innovation and responsibility, ensuring creators participate meaningfully in the value they generate, and building a vibrant, sustainable music economy for generations to come.

Today’s independent artists find themselves at a crossroads. The barriers to entry, once a critical gatekeeper to their careers, have all but disappeared; it has never been easier, cheaper or faster to release a song to a global audience. But with this accessibility has come an avalanche of content and growing pressure on artists seeking long-term, sustainable careers to keep up.

CD Baby has spent nearly thirty years at the vanguard of music distribution and consistently maintained its position as one of the leading distributors of independent music. Following Downtown’s acquisition by Virgin Music Group, it finds itself with renewed resources, newly powered by the infrastructure and global reach of one of the industry’s leading independent music companies. But as models change, trends evolve and competitors come and go, its core dedication to quality over quantity remains.

That new home also reflects a broader evolution across the independent music sector, as Virgin Music Group brings together a growing range of services, technology and global capabilities designed to support independent artists, labels and entrepreneurs at different stages of their development — while preserving the independence at the heart of their businesses.

In this fireside chat, Virgin Music Group Co-CEO JT Myers and CD Baby President Molly Neuman discuss this new chapter and the rapidly changing independent music landscape around it: how technology is reshaping the opportunities and pressures facing artists; the need to focus on craft despite the pressure to join the noise; and how the industry can help artists build sustainable careers without losing sight of the human creativity that drives them.

Billboard Executive Editor of Business Dan Rys hosts.

One of the music industry's most influential executives, Founder, Launchpad Advisors, LLC & former Sony Music EVP, Business Affairs & General Counsel Julie Swidler joins Mondo to share insights from an extraordinary career at the highest levels of the business. Join interviewer Rob Levine in the Grand Ballroom of the Arlo at 12:25 PM on Friday, October 16.

The Mondo Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Music & Tech Law Symposium, Powered by Michelman & Robinson LLP and Covington & Burling LLP and sponsored by Recording Artists Project (“RAP”) at Harvard Law School, Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP, Granderson Des Rochers and Lewis & Lin LLC, returns for its tenth year as top music lawyers and thought leaders host an all-day entertainment law seminar addressing some of the biggest legal and regulatory developments affecting the music industry focusing on AI; artist rights, revenue, risk and enforcement; touring; global policy; litigation and more.

We’re proud to welcome our Steering Committee: Michael Poster, Chair, Michelman & Robinson, LLP; Adrian J. Perry, Covington & Burling LLP; Phil Hill, Covington & Burling LLP; Scott Sholder, Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP; Lynn Gonzalez, Granderson Des Rochers and; Nicole Haff, Lewis & Lin LLC.

Every year GMS East & Mondo bring together top music supervisors, creators and entrepreneurs in advertising, film, TV and tech to educate and inspire our attendees with everything you need to know about the craft and business of music supervision. Join us on Thursday October 15 in the Mirror Bar for an immersive day-long series of panels, round tables and case studies followed by a Mondo Meet-Up in the Grand Ballroom and evening reception.

Royalties have long defined how artists, songwriters and rightsholders participate in the economics of music. But they represent only one part of the financial value music creates. Who captures the rest — and should creators and rightsholders have a greater stake in it?

Music industry innovator Scott Cohen and A2IM CEO, Ian Harrison, examine where today’s music economy falls short, what that means from the creator’s perspective and why traditional royalty structures may no longer adequately reflect the full value music generates. Scott and Ian will discuss a pioneering new model designed to move beyond royalties alone — and explore how artists, songwriters and rightsholders can participate more fully in the value their work creates.

Join us for a provocative conversation about ownership, participation and building a music economy that finally gives creators a greater stake in the success they make possible.

Mondo is excited to partner with the RIAA for its 11th annual series – a multi-panel look at where the music industry is headed, exploring key policy issues shaping the music business, from technology and AI to investment, IP protection, coalition building and artist advocacy. We’ll cap it off with a fireside chat a post-event reception.

Music has long been an established investment asset, but the market — and the opportunities within it — continue to evolve. Today, capital is being deployed not only across music rights and catalogs but throughout the businesses, technologies, distribution platforms and services that power the broader music ecosystem. GoldState Music founder Charles Goldstuck brings the rare perspective of a longtime music industry operator and accomplished investor. Drawing on experience from both sides of the table, he’ll explore where he sees value today, what separates a great music investment from a poor one, how active ownership can create value well beyond simply providing capital, and where the next generation of opportunities across music may emerge.

Institutional capital is increasingly looking beyond blockbuster catalogs toward the independent music ecosystem, bringing new sources of funding — and new questions about ownership, valuation and who ultimately benefits.

Duetti co-founder and CEO Lior Tibon joins us for a timely conversation about what’s driving investor interest in independent music and what it means for artists and other rights holders. Drawing on his experience across music, technology and investment, Lior will explore how new approaches to capital can provide independent creators with greater flexibility and choice, how the market is evolving as more money enters the space, and where opportunity — and potential tension — may lie ahead.

A candid look at the changing relationship between capital and independents, and what it could mean for the next generation of music businesses and creators.

Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Senior Finance Correspondent, Billboard, joins Lior as moderator.

As music continues to attract investment and evolve alongside new technologies, legal leaders are navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. Join BMG General Counsel Amanda Molter for a fireside chat exploring how legal teams are protecting artists’ rights, approaching responsible AI use, and navigating global licensing and copyright frameworks in this rapidly evolving environment.

Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT) will join RIAA SVP, Government and Industry Relations, Tom Clees from the campaign trail via Zoom to discuss the midterm elections, her leadership of the NO FAKES Act on the House Judiciary Committee, and what next year may hold for federal action on music and AI policy.

Five years after ChatGPT's debut, AI’s impact on the industry continues to evolve. This multi-panel track, curated by LANDR Audio's Daniel Rowland and AudioShake's Jessica Powell, explores how AI and related technologies are changing the way music is created, produced, distributed and monetized, from new tools and formats to broader implications around ethics, copyright, quality standards and artist protection.

Behind every successful artist is a business that requires thoughtful strategy, strong partnerships, and long-term planning. Curated by KOSIGN, this track examines the evolving business of music through conversations on catalog management, publishing, rights administration, ownership, and technology. Designed for artists and the teams that support them, these sessions offer practical perspectives on managing music as a lasting creative and commercial asset.

As we continue the Mondo tradition of this important opening panel, Dan Rys, Billboard's Executive Editor of Business, Billboard kickstarts our Mondo 2026 conference with a panel of industry experts and provocateurs.

Mondo and RAP at Harvard Law School host Pro Bono Sessions for independent artists for its eighth consecutive year. RAP is a student practice organization serving the music community by offering pro bono legal services to local and national musicians.

We end an incredible day of immersive discussion and networking with cocktails and a reception in the magnificent lobby of the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel. Thanks to our hosts, the RIAA and the Recording Academy.

We're proud to present the Mondo Innovator Awards for 2026 recognizing outstanding individuals who are making a profound impact on our industry. Join us as we celebrate groundbreaking music and tech industry achievement in leadership, innovation, artistry, entrepreneurship, education, collaboration/deals, use of music in media and advocacy for doing good.

Welcome back to Williamsburg for our eleventh annual conference and showcase music festival. The tradition continues as Mondo & KOSIGN kickoff our first night with a reception in the spectacular lobby of the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel. Hang with old friends and make new ones and enjoy the very best of New York City in October!

Join your industry friends and colleagues as we celebrate the kickoff of Mondo's 11th annual conference with breakfast in the magnificent Grand Ballroom of the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel. Thanks to Eventim, our awesome ticketing platform, for helping us welcome all of you back to Brooklyn!

Our friends at Concord return to graciously host Tuesday's lunch. It's been a hectic morning reuniting with your business colleagues, so we know you've worked up an appetite. Dig into lunch, Arlo style -- Bon Appetit!

Hungry yet? Thanks to Virgin Music Group, yummy eats are on the menu! Join us for Wednesday's lunch in the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Arlo Williamsburg.

Start Mondo day two bright and early with a yummy breakfast thanks to our friends at The MLC. Join your industry friends and colleagues starting at 9:00 AM in the Arlo's Grand Ballroom with some eats and a cup of Joe and get energized for another incredible day in Williamsburg.

We kick off the final day of Mondo with breakfast in the ballroom hosted by our friends at Citrin Cooperman. Meet the Citrin Cooperman team starting at 8 AM in the Grand Ballroom of the Arlo.

We begin day three of Mondo in the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Arlo with breakfast courtesy of our old friends at Marmoset. Get ready for the ninth annual GMS x Mondo NYC Education Event plus so much more. Fuel up, OK?