Toronto is about to become a global meeting point for the future of the music industry as Women in Music® Org teams up with Women in Music Canada to launch the first-ever Women in Music Global Summit, taking place March 2–4, 2026 at the Allied Music Centre and TD Music Hall. Marking 40 years of advocacy and service, the organization is celebrating not with nostalgia, but with a forward-looking, community-driven gathering designed to spark conversations that actually move the needle.
The three-day summit will bring together more than 60 female and gender-diverse speakers and mentors from 13 countries, creating a rare cross-border exchange of ideas, experience, and real-world strategy. The programming leans into substance over spectacle, with a blend of leadership keynotes, candid panels, practical workshops, and the kind of networking that extends beyond exchanging business cards. Attendees can expect discussions that tackle everything from caregiving in the music industry to the cold, hard data behind radio representation, alongside sessions focused on live touring, mental health, global markets, and sustainable career paths.
One of the most anticipated moments arrives on March 3 with “The Power of Song – A Songwriters In The Round” at TD Music Hall. Supported by SOCAN and TD Bank, the evening will spotlight performances from Molly Johnson, Billianne, CJ Wiley, and Ila Baker, with Kayla Diamond hosting. It’s a reminder that while the summit is built on professional development and advocacy, music itself remains the heartbeat of the movement.
Community is a recurring theme throughout the event’s vision. Women in Music President Nicole Barsalona (pictured) emphasized the importance of in-person connection, noting that while the Toronto gathering offers invaluable face-to-face interaction, a livestream and virtual networking platform will ensure global access. In her words, "We can't wait to be in-person in Toronto to connect and build community, which we all need now more than ever. For those who can't join us in-person, we have a livestream from the conference and wonderful opportunities to connect one-on-one on our virtual platform with WIM members and friends around the world." The summit is about building bridges while shaping a more inclusive future for the industry.
Women in Music Canada Executive Director Robyn Stewart echoed the sentiment, underscoring the urgency of unity among underrepresented voices and the expanding strength of Canada’s own membership community: "With the nuanced concerns and struggle worldwide, there has never been a more important time to come together as a community of underrepresented voices to support each other and develop the music industry toward the future we want to see. The WIM Global Summit will bring together women and gender diverse industry leaders from across the world to learn from, celebrate with, and be inspired by each other."
Beyond panels and performances, the summit also highlights the broader ecosystem supporting gender equity in music. Leading festivals that are actively shifting their stage lineups toward balance will join the conversation, offering practical insight rather than abstract promises. The initiative is backed by a wide network of funders and sponsors, from national arts organizations to major industry players, signaling that the push for inclusion is no longer a side discussion, it’s becoming a central business priority.
For many attendees, the value of the summit will lie in its blend of inspiration and application. It’s as much about who you meet in the hallway as what you hear on stage, and as much about future collaborations as it is about present-day dialogue. The message is clear: this isn’t just another conference; it’s a global checkpoint for where the music industry stands—and where it intends to go next.
View the full programming here.
