R2i Conference 2026

Saturday, May 30, 2026

• 9:30AM – 10:45AM (75 minutes) - Sync
• 10:55AM – 12:25PM (90 minutes) Royalties
• 12:30PM – 2:00PM (90 minutes) - AGM Town Hall
• 2:10PM – 3:25PM (75 minutes) - Songwriting Masterclass

Sunday, May 31, 2026

• 9:30AM – 11:00AM (90 minutes) - Networking Roundtables
• 11:10AM – 12:25PM (75 minutes) Vocal coaching
• 12:30PM – 1:15PM (45 minutes) Touring
• 1:20 - 2:05PM (45 minutes) Patrick James Clark Incremental Growth

SATURDAY MAY 30 

9:30AM – 10:45AM: Getting Your Music on Screen: Sync Licensing (75 minutes)

Ever wonder how songs end up in TV shows, movies, ads, and video games? Sync licensing is one of the most powerful ways to earn income and reach new audiences — but breaking in takes more than luck.

In this interactive session, music supervisors, sync agents, and artists with real sync success will share exactly what they look for, how to prepare your catalogue, and how to pitch effectively. You’ll learn how to make your music sync-ready, understand key contract terms, and avoid rookie mistakes that can cost you opportunities.

Whether you’re new to sync or already pitching, this session will give you insider knowledge and practical strategies to help you land placements and get your music on screen.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand what sync licensing is and why it matters as an income stream.

Identify what music supervisors and sync agents look for when selecting songs.

Prepare and organize their catalogue to be sync-ready.

Recognize common contract terms and pitfalls in sync deals.

Apply practical strategies to pitch music effectively.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, and managers interested in sync licensing
Facilitator: Tristen Coffey,Sync Agent, The HOOK Sync Group

Panelists:

Cadence Grace, Artist/Songwriter

Joelle May, General Manager, New Motor Records

10:55AM – 12:25P: Understanding Royalties — There’s Money Waiting for You (90 minutes)
presented by ACTRA/RACS

Are you leaving money on the table? As an artist, songwriter, or performer, royalties are one of the most important income streams — but only if you know how to claim them. This interactive workshop will demystify SOCAN, SoundExchange/CMRRA, ARTISTI, SOPROQ, and more, showing you exactly how to register, collect, and track the royalties you’re entitled to.

Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and practical tools, you’ll learn how to uncover hidden income, organize your royalty streams, and make sure you get paid for your work. Walk away with a clear action plan, a royalty tracking checklist, and the confidence to manage your earnings like a pro.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify the different types of royalties available to artists, songwriters, and performers.

Understand how to register with key collection organizations (SOCAN, SoundExchange, ARTISTI, SOPROQ, etc.). Note: ACTRA/RACS collects from SoundExchange

Map out their own royalty income streams.

Apply practical tools to track earnings and ensure they are not leaving money on the table.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, performers, and music industry professionalsFacilitator: Andrew Karis, Associate Director, ACTRA PRS

Marianne Anderson, Publisher Relations Manager, CMRRA

Michael Greaves, Director, Royalty Processing & Income Tracking, Anthem

Sébastien Charest, Gestion de droits / Rights Management

12:30PM – 2:00PM: AGM & Town Hall (90 minutes)

Join us for the 2026 CMAOntario Annual General Meeting and Town Hall — your opportunity to help shape the future of the association. This session gives members a platform to share ideas, perspectives, and priorities, ensuring the association understands and reflects the needs of its community.

By participating in discussions and providing input, members play a direct role in guiding strategic plans, setting priorities, and influencing initiatives that align with CMAOntario’s shared vision and goals. Come contribute, connect, and help chart the path forward for Ontario’s country music community.

Patrick Duffy, CMAOntario Chair

Brian Allen, CMAOntario Secretary

Brooke Dunford, CMAOntario Treasurer

2:10PM – 3:25PM: Songwriting Masterclass – Insights & Collaboration (75 minutes)

What does it actually look like when professional songwriters sit down to build a song for an emerging artist? This masterclass pulls back the curtain on the modern co-writing room — live, unscripted, and in real time.

Veteran producer and songwriter Douglas Romanow (Don Amero, Rebecca Rain, Jade Hilton, Nicole Rayy) brings together Nashville topliner Chrystal Grainger and rising country-pop artist Parker Graye for an interactive workshop and live co-write demonstration.

The session is designed to give attendees three things in one afternoon: fresh creative tools and inspiration from the artists themselves, a front-row seat to a professional writing session happening in the room, and practical industry knowledge for building a sustainable career around their craft.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with:

This is the writing room — no filter.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers
Facilitator: Douglas Romanow, Music Producer / Songwriter / Dolby Atmos Mixer at dR Music
Featuring: OUDi (Chrystal Grainger), Artist/Songwriter

Parker Graye, Artist/Songwriter

SUNDAY MAY 31

9:30AM – 11:00AM: Career Connections: Industry Roundtables (90 minutes) –

Step into a dynamic, interactive session designed to fast-track your music industry relationships. Over 90 minutes, you’ll rotate through curated roundtables featuring managers, agents, labels, radio, talent buyers, and publicists/marketing professionals — gaining insider insights while building meaningful connections.

Each table offers a focused discussion on key topics, from career development to touring strategies and audience growth. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and receive feedback from both industry experts and peers in an engaging, collaborative environment.

Unlike traditional networking mixers, this format ensures every participant has a chance to connect with a wide range of professionals, making each conversation purposeful and actionable. Discover new opportunities for collaboration, spark ideas, and leave with a stronger, more diverse network to support your career growth.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, managers and industry professionals
Panelists:

David Thomson — Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer

Lisa McEwen — Nashville-Published Songwriter and Recording Artist

Adam Gonshor — Publicist, Collabo PR

Neil Anthony — National Promotions Manager, Starseed Entertainment

Julia Pittman — Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment

Dayna Bourgoin — Industry Relations, iHeartRadio Canada / National Music Director - Pure Country

Jeremy Slattery — National Music Director, Stingray Radio

Jodi Decker — Founder, OnDeck Music Group | Music Promotion Strategist | A&R • Artist Development

Paul Ferguson — VP, Programming & Operations at Starboard Communications - Cool 100.1 & 95.5 Hits FM

Steve Kassay — VP, Programming/Operations at Durham Radio Inc.

Jenna Weishar — Head of Artist & Industry Relations, Front Porch Music

Logan Miller — Music Marketing Professional, Branding SEO and Social Media Expert, Founder Front Porch Music

Chloe LeBlanc — Project Manager, Strut Entertainment / STRUT VIP

Kode Roberts — Artist Manager, The Familie

Jill Snell — Co-founder Jayward Artist Group Inc., founder Road Angel Entertainment - Manager, Label VP

Tracy-Ann Gagnon — Head of Communications and Marketing, Festival Franco-Ontarien

Patrick Duffy — Creative Director, Attention Design

Ali Raney — Director of Label Operations, Starseed Records

Andy Hawke — General Manager, Anthem Records

Brooke Dunford — Director, Booking & Business Development Republic Live | RLive Management | Boots and Hearts | Burl’s Creek Event Grounds

Carla Hackman — Founder | Agent, Fame Agency Group

Larry Heath — Associate Producer, Sounds Australia

Glenn Dickie — Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia

Samantha Pickard — President, Strut Entertainment

11:10AM – 12:25PM: Voice Matters: Real-World Vocal Tools for Country Artists (75 minutes) –

Led by Amanda Kind, Artist/Songwriter/Commercial Music Voice Teacher

In country music, your voice isn’t just an instrument — it’s your identity. Whether you’re in the studio or on stage night after night, consistency, authenticity, and vocal stamina are everything.

This 75-minute interactive workshop is designed specifically for artists who are recording and performing live. It offers a fast-paced, practical overview of the most important tools and concepts you need to keep your voice performance-ready under real-world demands.

We’ll move through a range of essential topics from efficient warm-ups and targeted technical exercises (breath management, belt, stamina, agility, range) to using “primal” sounds to unlock power, tone, and stylistic options. We’ll also touch on common vocal myths that can hold singers back, replacing them with clear, functional understanding of how the voice actually works.

At the heart of this session is the understanding that great performances come from the integration of voice, body, and mind. Country music demands emotional truth and connection and how you feel directly impacts how you sound.

Because of the condensed format, this session is designed to introduce and explore key ideas rather than go deeply into any one area, giving participants a strong foundation and practical tools they can begin applying immediately.

By the end of the session, participants will:

This workshop creates a supportive, artist-focused space to explore tools that help you show up consistently and confidently. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their voice, practical exercises to support it, and a roadmap for continuing to build vocal strength, flexibility, and longevity over time.

12:30PM – 1:15PM: Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders (45 minutes)

Practical strategies for booking venues, routing tours, maximizing show income, and using radio and industry exposure to expand into international markets.

Touring is one of the most powerful ways for independent artists to grow their audience and build a sustainable career. This workshop will guide artists through the process of planning and booking their own tours across Canada without the support of an agent or tour manager. Participants will learn how to research and route tours, approach venues professionally, promote shows effectively, and maximize income through ticket sales, merchandise, and alternative performance opportunities such as house concerts. The session will also explore how radio exposure and international industry connections can open doors to touring opportunities beyond Canada.

Participants: Jessie T, Artist/Songwriter

Larry Heath, Associate Producer, Sounds Australia

Glenn Dickie, Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia

1:20PM – 2:05PM: Modern Music Marketing

Discover how to build a profitable music career using direct-to-consumer marketing and digital sales funnels. This workshop breaks down how to turn casual listeners into paying fans, grow and own your audience, and create consistent revenue without relying on streams, algorithms, or record deals. Learn the exact systems independent artists are using to sell their music, scale their fanbase, and build long-term, sustainable success

Facilitator: Patrick James Clark, Artist/Songwriter/Author