OMW Summit & Conference

Keynote Speaker(10am - 10:45am)

• Trisha Carter, Music Export Manager CIMA

With over 20 years in the music industry and international trade, Trisha leads CIMAs global export service, Music Export Canada, driving international market development, showcases, and Canada House takeovers at major festivals like SXSW, The Great Escape and Reeperbahn. She has spearheaded Canadian delegations to markets in Japan, Chile, and Portugal while fostering inbound partnerships from Australia, France, and Easter Europe. Leveraging her extensive experience and global networks, Trisha works closely with Canada's music industry to develop business continuity strategies in an evolving landscape.

Durham Region Forum Music Industry Report Results (10:55am - 11:20)

• Eileen Kennedy, Inest Durham, Creative Industries

Workshop 1: Managing Your Budget as an Artist(11:30am - 12:30pm)

Participant(s)

• Siobhan Bodrug

Siobhan Bodrug is a Toronto - based singer- songwriter whose soulful vocals and Indie Pop sound have captivated audiences far beyond her years. She has performed at renowned venues like Rockwood Music Hall, El Mocambo, and Summerfolk, sharing staged with Stars, Dizzy, and Joel Plaskett, and was selected as a Honey Jam artist in 2022. With over 130k Spotify streams on her single "The End Lies Ahead' and a successful "Strangers Tour 2024", Siobhan is a rising star in Canada's indie music scene.

• Tiffany Luvv - The Sundown Sessions

Tiffany Luvv is a Montreal - born country/pop artist and co - founder of the The Sundown Sessions, a monthly showcase at The Rivoli in Toronto supporting indie artists across all genres. Passionate about community - building, she helps artists with promotion, resources, and mentorship while crafting music that connects through her unique tone and natural twang. Currently working on her debut EP, she continues to champion mental healt, indie musicians, and women in music.

• Ted Peters

For over a decade, Ted Peters has been a key member of the acclaimed Blackburn Brothers, whose album SoulFunknBlues earned a Juno nomination and multiple international awards. As both a solo artist and collaborator, he has performed with legends like Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Wynton Marsalis, gracing major festivals across North America and Europe. Now, he is dedicated to making Oshawa and the Durham region a premier destination for music lovers, working closely with local councils and business leaders to bring his vision to life.

Workshop 2: How to Prepare For a Recording Session(1pm - 2pm)

Participant(s)

• Douglas Romanow

Douglas Romanow is a seasoned record producer and engineer with an impressive roster of artists, including Don Amero, Jade Hilton, Kinnie Starr, and Alessia Cohle, as well as his own electro project, SKY MACHINE, His engineering credits span global stars like Justin Bieber, Johnny Reid, and Divine Brown, and he has recorded Chantal Kreviazuk with the Niagara Symphony and at Massey Hall for CBC. With multiple Juno nominations and collaboration across genres, Doug continues to shape the sound of both emerging and established artists.

Panel 1: The Impact of A.I. in the Music Industry(2:15pm - 3:15pm)

Speaker(s)

• Sheldon Universe

Sheldon Universe is a Goan - Canadian singer, drummer, pianist, and producer whose electrifying performances have taken him from Warren Buffett's birthday bash to the Black Adam premier with Dwayne Johnson. His album Out of Love features The Regiment Horns (Justin Timberlake's horn section), and he's collaborated with NBA veterans on 13 Rules to support women's basketball. Beyond music, he's a festival producer, entrepreneur, and educator, dedicated to blending artistry with innovation while giving back to communities worldwide.

• Delon Om

Delon Om, a former Canadian Idol contestant, rose to fame with his hit single Superstar, which landed in rotation on Virgin radio and attracted attention from Sony and Ultra Records. A two - time Oshawa Music Award winner, he has collaborated with Latin Grammy winner Sensei Musica and received multiple Candian Latin Award nominations. Currently, he is working with Juno - nominated producers David Neale and T.J. Habibi on 6ix Dreams Apart, a musical exploring the struggles of musicians during the pandemic, which has drawn interest from Bell Media.

• Margaret McGuffin

Margaret McGuffin is the CEO of Music Publishers Canada, specializing in research, policy development, and strategic change management in the creative industries. She serves on the boards of Canada's Theatre Museum and MusicCounts' Avdisory Committee, advocating for music publishers and Canadian songs on the global stage. With a political Science degree from Western University and an MBA from Schulich, she is always eager to discuss copyright and the evolving role of music publishing.

Panel 2: Inside the Music Industry: Careers You Didn't Know Existed (3:30pm - 4:30pm)

Speaker(s)

• Deborah Knight

Deborah Knight s a veteran marketing and public relations professional with over 30 years of experience in arts and culture, serving as President of dkpr public relations inc., one of Toronto's top entertainment marketing firms. She has worked with Tony, Emmy, Oscar and Grammy winners across Broadway, film, and music while also mentoring future industry leaders as a professor at Durham College, Centennial College, and Trebas Institute. A dedicated philanthropist, she founded The Water Drop Project, bringing clean water to Jamaican schools, and serves on the University of Toronto Alumni Board of Directors.

• Brendan Kennedy

Brendan "BK" Kennedy is a seasoned Tour Manager and Audio Engineer based in London, Ontario. After starting as a drummer in a small - town band and graduating from Durham College's Music Business Management program, BK has spent over 12 years touring worldwide with acts like Billy Talent, Valey, The Glorious Sons, and Our Lady Peace. His expertise spans both tour management and audio engineering, making him a trusted figure on the road.

• Rachael Clark

Rachael Clark is the Head of Administration at PeerMusic Canada, where she specializes in copyright management and royalties. Before joining PeerMusic in 2016, Rachael worked at CMRRA in the Membership Services & Copyright departments. She manages relationships with SOCAN, CMRRA, and major and independent labels, and serves on the Music Publisers Canada NxtGen committee. Rachael has played a key role in the Canadian implementation of significant sub - publisher catalogues, including Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Wise Music, and Big Machine Music.

• Colton Maddigan

Colton Maddigan is a producer, mixer, and foley editor from Oshawa, Ontario, with credits on Juno - winning bands and Oscar - nominated films. Since starting at Metalworks Institute in 2016, he has expanded from producing Canadian bands to working in Hollywood post - production. His foley work includes A Complete Unknown (Oscar nominee), Ripley (Emmy winner), and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (MPSE nominee), showcasing his dedication to fidelity and emotion in sound.