Organisers of the Going Global 2026 Music Summit have announced the two-day event is returning to Tāmaki Makaurau this August, with an opening speaker lineup of genuine international weight.
Presented by Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) in partnership with the NZ Music Commission, the 2026 summit will take place on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August at Q Theatre in central Auckland.
The annual Going Global conference event brings together some of the world’s most influential figures in A&R, booking, festival programming, label management, and artist development, introducing them to Aotearoa’s artists and industry. Doors open in both directions.
Artist Showcase applications are open here goingglobal.co.nz/ with a close off date of 10 July 2026. Selected artists will perform live in front of local and international delegates and the public, across three stages.
Tickets for Going Global 2026 are on sale via Q Theatre, with earlybird pricing available until 4 August 2026. Tickets cover both conference days and entrance to the showcase nights.
The first four confirmed speakers include highly respected voices in global touring, booking, label management, and festival programming:
Tom Windish – EVP of A&R and Business Development, THE·TEAM (USA) – joins Going Global 2026 as this year’s keynote speaker. Recognised for his long-game approach to artist development, Windish holds that leading role while continuing to work as a booking agent for one of the most decorated rosters in the world: Lorde, Billie Eilish, alt-J, The xx, M83, King Krule, Tove Lo, and Viagra Boys among others. His presence at Going Global represents a rare and direct line into the upper reaches of global live music.
Steph Salas – Label Manager, Carpark Records & Carpark Publishing (USA) – brings 14 years at Carpark Records and more than two decades of music industry experience to the summit. She oversees A&R, distribution, marketing strategy, and global campaigns across a roster that includes Toro Y Moi and Beach House. The label already has a keen ear for Aotearoa music, also representing The Beths, Hans Pucket, Chelsea Jade and most recent signing, Phoebe Rings.
Andy Jones – Co-Founder & Head of Music, FOCUS Wales, one of the UK’s most vital international showcase festivals, welcoming over 25,000 attendees and more than 250 artists across 20 stages in Wrexham each May. Jones Jones co-founded the festival and has over 20 years experience in the industry as an artist, label MD, manager, and promoter.
Kyle Kernohan – Festivals Agent, TBA Agency (USA) – overseeing strategy and negotiations across more than 600 festival properties annually. Kernohan previously spent a decade at ICM Partners leading its festivals department, working with artists including Little Simz, Tobe Nwigwe, Montell Fish, and Duckwrth.
