Speaker(s): Kathleen Gregory, Director of Development, Public Justice Center and Sally Schaeffer, President, Uncorked Advocates

While the impulse to give comes from the heart, the size and timing of charitable donations is strongly influenced by federal tax policy. Major changes in giving incentives take effect in 2026, with potential for both expanding the base of donors to orchestras and changing the pace and scale of current donations. This practical session will walk through the adjustments in tax policy that are likely to shape giving at the individual, corporate, and foundation levels in the coming years and what to expect from donors going forward. Experts from the wider nonprofit sector will partner to describe what’s new, how it could influence private philanthropy, and how to talk with your orchestra’s supporters about these shifts in simple, clear ways.

Speaker(s): Justine Townsend, Arts and Culture Specialist, Your Part-Time Controller and Molly Yoon, Arts and Culture Specialist, Your Part-Time Controller

Orchestras often face unique financial challenges that require careful oversight and analysis. In this session, participants will learn how to identify red flags in financial management, including financial statements, audits, and policies, that may indicate underlying risks. Bring your own financial statements to practice identifying risks and explore scenarios. Gain the skills to proactively address financial concerns, ensure compliance, and promote organizational sustainability. 

This session has been sponsored and developed by Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC).

Speaker(s): Catherine Beeson, Assistant Principal Viola, Colorado Symphony; Ingrid Larragoity-Martin, Executive Director, El Sistema Colorado; Conductor, Denver Young Artists Orchestra; Richard Scerbo, Director, National Orchestral Institute and Festival; Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer, Hawaii Youth Symphony Association; Kelly Waltrip, Managing Director, The Gilmore Piano Festival, Former Executive Director, Denver Young Artists Orchestra/Managing Director - Alliance with the Colorado Symphony; Randy Wong, President and CEO, Hawaii Youth Symphony Association

Join us for two orchestra case studies illustrating the journey from having only occasional touchpoints with students to developing a sustained youth pathway program by partnering with other organizations in the community. Through mentorship, intergenerational outreach, performance opportunities, workforce development, and deep, mutual commitments to a shared goal—access to music education—strategic alliances can bridge missions, work towards shared outcomes, and sustain trust. The result: expanded opportunities for students and families and lasting community impact across all organizations involved.

Participants will come away from the session with the ability to: 

• Identify concrete criteria for mission-aligned partnerships and assess current or prospective partners.

• Apply practices that sustain collaborations over time, including shared outcomes, feedback loops, and clear decision making

• Engage teaching artists and professional musicians meaningfully in all aspects of partnership

This session is made possible by generous grants from The Clinton Family Fund and The Julian Family Foundation.

Moderator: John Kieser, Co-Founder, JDJK Consulting
Speaker(s): Jennifer Barton, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Strategy Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Alexa Valentine, Director of Business Development, EasyConnect

To remain relevant and financially sustainable, orchestras must strengthen loyalty while reaching new, younger, and more diverse audiences. Today’s patrons expect seamless digital experiences—yet many orchestras rely on disconnected tools. This interactive, data-driven session explores how mobile-responsive websites and native apps can work together to drive audience growth, improve conversion and retention, and increase revenue. Through live audience polling, real-world case studies, and hands-on breakout discussions, participants will gain practical strategies, ROI measurement frameworks, and clear onboarding roadmaps they can apply within their own organizations. 

This session has been sponsored and developed by EasyConnect.

Speaker(s): TBD

In this interactive session, you’ll explore how orchestras across the country are reimagining their audition and tenure practices. To frame the discussion, we’ll start with a preview of the League’s upcoming Catalyst Guide on Auditions and Tenure and highlight stories of orchestras who are taking bold steps to address bias, diversify audition candidate pools, create transparent evaluation criteria, and more.

You will walk away with a deeper understanding of common barriers associated with audition and tenure practices and strategies for adopting more equitable practices in your own orchestra. Join us to discover how your orchestra can help unlock the full potential of every musician.

This session is made possible by a generous grant from the Sakana Foundation.

Speaker(s): John Devlin, Music Director, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra; Anwar Nasir, Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Ben Newman, Executive Director, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra; Erica Bondarev Rapach, Executive Director, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

Orchestras thrive when audience development is embedded in the culture of the organization. Every staff and board member—from operations to artistic planning, development to education—plays a role in defining who our work is for.

In this session, we’ll reframe “audience expansion” as an organizational mindset, not a marketing tactic. Aligning product, programming, partnerships, and patron experiences around shared audience goals strengthens financial sustainability, deepens community engagement, and advances equity and inclusion.

Together, we’ll unpack tools and frameworks that help every department see their work through an audience lens, whether it’s a conductor considering repertoire, an educator shaping youth programs, or a development officer cultivating donors. Attendees will leave with concrete frameworks and a customizable roadmap for being an audience-first orchestra, no matter your mission or budget size.

This session is made possible by a generous grant from The Wallace Foundation.

Speaker(s): Andrew Clark, Vice President, Finance and Administration, League of American Orchestras and Rachel Rossos Gallant, Vice President, Marketing and Membership, League of American Orchestras

Your team is probably already using AI, and the tools keep evolving at lightning speed. Join us for a workshop on how to build an AI framework for your orchestra that will support innovation while providing clear guidelines for navigating an ever-changing tech landscape.

We'll cover why guardrails matter, share real-world case studies from the League and member orchestras, and examine key policy elements such as data privacy, quality and accuracy, and human oversight. Through interactive activities, you'll sketch your organization's roadmap and identify best practices for team training and alignment. Bring your questions and leave with a concrete plan for responsible AI integration.

Speaker(s): Marni Cook, Chief Civic Engagement Officer, San Francisco Symphony; Heather Noonan, VP, Advocacy, League of American Orchestras; and Randy Wong, President and CEO, Hawaii Youth Symphony

The creative sector shapes the identity of communities, innovates to solve problems, and generates work and workers that are deeply connected to the wider economy. Taking a seat at the table with your counterparts in the broader arts and civic sectors can ensure your orchestra is recognized for the value it creates and that it has a voice in local, state, and federal policies. Learn from fresh examples of how orchestras and partners are literally putting the arts on the map, centering live events as a community asset, and working to protect human creativity and performances as technology rapidly advances. 

Speaker(s): Nicki Inman, Project Consultant, RSC Associates

Fundraising asks don’t fail because of the dollar amount—they falter when conversations lack purpose, curiosity, or a clear path forward.

In today’s fundraising landscape, donors are responding to conversations that feel intentional and authentic. This highly interactive session will equip you with a practical flow for those conversations, transforming the “ask” into a guided dialogue that builds trust. You’ll learn this relationship-centered framework, including how thoughtful preparation, step-by-step permission, and strategic follow-up lead to stronger donor engagement and better outcomes.

In this 75-minute session, participants will walk step-by-step through the full conversation arc, from sparking curiosity to securing the commitment, giving you tools you can use immediately in your next donor meeting or to coach your team with confidence and clarity.

This session has been sponsored and developed by RSC Associates.

Speaker(s): Anthony D. Meyers, President/CEO, Leading ChangeMakers, Ltd.

In an era of changing cultural consumption habits, orchestras that diversify their earned revenue can adapt to new market realities while maintaining artistic excellence and organizational sustainability. It’s top of mind for many orchestras—so let’s have a conversation about it.

This will be a unique session inspired by the Open Space discussion format in which the participants determine the content and direction of the conversation. A facilitated process will take attendees through the steps of refining key topics, participating in the discussion(s) of their choice, and finally gleaning insights from all groups. As we delve into our theme of diversifying earned revenue, every attendee will be both contributor and audience member.

Speaker(s): Rob Tarleton, Partner and Chief Innovative Officer, Double Eagle

In today’s threat landscape, cultural nonprofits face a level of cyber risk unlike anything seen before. Over the past three years alone, Double Eagle has led response efforts for more than 30 ransomware incidents across major symphonies, performing arts centers, museums, and theaters. The lessons learned are clear: cyber insurance will not save you from operational chaos, financial loss, or reputational damage.

In this eye-opening session, cybersecurity leader Rob Tarleton pulls back the curtain on what really happens during a cyber incident. Through real-world case studies drawn directly from the cultural sector, Rob will illustrate the true impact of ransomware on ticketing systems, CRM platforms, digital engagement, finance operations, and donor trust.

Attendees will walk away with:

• The hard truth about what cyber insurance does—and does not—cover

• Critical missteps organizations make before, during, and after an incident

• Proven prevention strategies every nonprofit must implement now

• The organizational, financial, and cultural implications of a ransomware event

• A practical roadmap for building resilience in resource-constrained environments

Whether you're an executive director, CFO, IT leader, or board member, this session will equip you with the clarity, urgency, and actionable steps needed to protect your mission, your patrons, and your institution’s future.

Because in the world of cyber threats, preparedness—not insurance—is your greatest defense.

This session has been sponsored and developed by Double Eagle.

Speaker(s): Bethany Nothstein, Sector Strategy and Community Manager, Spektrix

Are you turning first-time visitors into lasting advocates? Join us to explore how organizations are transforming every interaction with a truly customer-centric approach: from a website visit to the moment they walk through your doors, to the emails they open and the experiences that inspire lasting loyalty. Discover how smarter journeys not only delight audiences but also drive revenue, save your team time, and build stronger, lasting relationships—backed by examples from leading organizations across the sector.

This session has been sponsored and developed by Spektrix.

Speaker(s): Jessica Schmidt, Principal Consultant, Orchestrate Inclusion

Engaging in respectful disagreement requires a specific set of skills that we don’t always have the opportunity to hone. As we strive to build considerate and honest work cultures at our orchestras that include an array of opinions and lived experiences, we need space to practice and grow. This workshop will offer that space.

Through a lens of best practices in inclusion, participants will learn strategies to help navigate challenging interpersonal discussions. Specifically, participants will:

• Learn how challenging conversations contribute to psychological safety and positive organizational culture

• Build skills to better assess their initial reactions and to make mindful choices when entering a difficult conversation

• Build active listening skills

• Gain tools to hold curiosity for differences of opinion and experience

Speaker(s): Penny Brill, former member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Founder, Musacor and Sarah Hoover, Associate Dean for Innovation in the Arts and Health at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

Orchestras’ emerging work in healthcare settings—from hospitals and nursing homes to outpatient and community health contexts—is highlighted in the League’s recent Catalyst Guide, Orchestras in Health and Wellness. As interest in this work continues to grow, many orchestras are asking not why music belongs in healthcare, but how to do this work well, in ways that support everyone involved.

This session focuses squarely on the practical realities of designing and delivering music programs in health and well-being settings. Topics will include:

• Identifying where your orchestra has the capacity to make a meaningful difference 

• Working safely and responsibly within healthcare environments

• Ensuring that musicians, patients, and healthcare staff are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and clearly defined roles they need

• Creating strong, interdisciplinary partnerships that underpin successful work in these settings

• Developing training, supervision, and evaluation models that can uphold artistic integrity and the well-being of everyone involved

Walk away with concrete guidance to help your orchestra build music and health programs that are thoughtful, effective, and aligned with both community needs and organizational capacity.

Speaker(s): Jennifer Barton, SVP Chief Revenue Strategy Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Allison Burr-Livingstone, SVP Chief Advancement and Communications Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Mark Hanson, President and CEO, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; and Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, SVP Chief Operating Officer, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

What becomes possible when an orchestra sees itself not just as a concert presenter, but as cultural infrastructure? This session shares how the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has been reframing its work around that question. Learn how the BSO reshaped its operating model into an integrated revenue system that aligns marketing, loyalty, philanthropy, and experiences around growing relationships and partnerships, not just selling tickets. Walk away with a transferable framework, shared metrics, and practical ways to build relevance and resilience.

This session has been generously sponsored by Threshold Acoustics.

Speaker(s): Jen Taylor, Director, AI Strategy and Integration, Capacity Interactive

We are living through one of the most transformational shifts in how we create content and connect with visitors. Instead of treating AI as just another tech tool to master, this session invites us to approach it as a strategic move for our institutions.

Together, we’ll explore the ethical tensions and creative possibilities AI brings to our campaigns and visitor experiences. We will rethink what marketing strategy really means at this moment: having the courage to wonder out loud, even if we don't have all the answers.

You won’t leave with a tactical checklist. You’ll leave with a clearer compass: a renewed sense of what matters, what’s possible for your brand, and what questions are worth bringing back to your team.

This session has been sponsored and developed by Capacity Interactive.

Speaker(s): TBD

On and off the stage, we all do our best work when we feel immersed in a safe, trusted environment. Sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct can rob us of that freedom and do great physical and psychological harm to individuals and organizations. Hearing from both staff and musician perspectives, we will learn about policies and behaviors that can help provide the healthy work environments we all deserve.

Speaker(s): Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud, President and CEO, Omaha Symphony; Laura Reynolds, VP of Impact and Innovation, San Diego Symphony; and Karen Yair, Vice President, Research and Resources, League of American Orchestras

At a moment when the humanity of our work matters more than ever, this conversation centers on creating relevance and enduring engagement with audiences and communities.

Building on the League’s 2026 report on the scope, scale, and impact of the education and community work of professional orchestras and youth orchestras, we will examine the institutional practices, frameworks, and management systems that help orchestras become an essential force in their communities.

Learn how to surface internal expertise, strengthen existing programs, and align strategy, storytelling, and operations to deepen public value. We’ll also outline the questions, mindsets, and leadership capabilities required to build trust and advance long-term sustainability through authentic community connection.

Speaker(s): Jeff Alexander, President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Sarah Generes, Vice President, Development, League of American Orchestras; Dale Hedding, Vice President of Development, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; and Jennifer Teisinger, Executive Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

Transformational gifts can redefine what is possible for orchestras. But how do these gifts actually happen?

Get a behind-the-scenes look as leaders from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra share the stories of two extraordinary gifts to their organizations— a $50 million gift to the CSO and a $2 million gift to the SDSO— that had an incredible impact.

This panel discussion will demonstrate:

• How transformational gifts emerge

• The critical steps that move an ambitious idea toward a realized commitment

• The conditions that inspire donors to invest at a truly impactful level

• The essential role board members play in securing these gifts by cultivating relationships and inspiring generosity

Designed for orchestra leaders, board members, and fundraising professionals, this session offers practical lessons and strategic perspectives on cultivating and securing gifts that can radically change an orchestra's ability to pursue its mission.