WIN BOARD IN TORONTO: CELEBRATING CIMA’s 50th ANNIVERSARY AT MAKE IT MUSIC
Toronto, 21st November 2025
The WIN board and secretariat travelled to Toronto from November 3-5 to hold an in-person meeting and take part in a series of activities hosted around Make It Music and the celebration of CIMA’s 50th anniversary. Through meetings, panels, and networking events, the trip reinforced the strong ties between WIN and the Canadian independent music community, while highlighting shared priorities across music markets.
November 3 – CIMA Label Summit + WIN Board Meeting
The activities opened with CIMA’s Label Summit connecting the WIN board with Canadian independent labels. The day explored key topics shaping the industry, including consolidation in the music ecosystem, the role of trade associations, and new opportunities for cross-border collaboration. WIN and CIMA co-hosted a networking event connecting local and international music professionals.
The WIN board met in the evening at the offices of FACTOR, the public/private partnership that supports the production of sound recordings by Canadian musicians. The board reflected on the progress of WIN’s global network and the development of new trade associations and discussed key takeaways from the annual conference WINCON which was held in Sofia, Bulgaria just a few weeks before.
The day opened with a keynote by Jason Peterson (Go Digital), who explored how the independent music sector is moving beyond streaming and embracing new models for revenue, growth, and sustainability. His presentation examined the impact of major players and private equity, the opportunities and challenges brought by AI, and the emergence of innovative business models shaping a post-streaming era.
WIN delegates took part in key panels including “Reinventing the Label: The Indie Music Company of Today,” focused on how labels are adapting in a changing landscape, and “AI vs. Artistry: Protecting Creativity in the Age of Machines,” which addressed the balance between technological advancement and safeguarding artistic expression.
Andrew Cash, President of CIMA, announced the fresh news of the Canadian’s federal government allocation of $48 million over three years to the Canada Music Fund, beginning in 2026-27. After this much anticipated news, attendees participated in the the Cocktail Mixer presented by PANORAMA, the collective management organization for independent labels and sound recording rights owners, offering an opportunity for further exchange between Canadian and international industry peers.
November 5 – Make It Music: Day 2 & CIMA 50th Anniversary
About WIN
WIN is the international network that brings together the global independent music community. We connect and develop trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses around the world, promoting a fair, transparent, and diverse music ecosystem with full market access and opportunities for all. winformusic.org
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA
