Indiana Music Economy Sessions: Greater Elkhart - South Bend Region

This lunch conversation explores how
About this Event

Turning Music Assets Into Music Momentum: Connecting Venues, Visitors, Restaurants, and Community

Elkhart County already has the pieces of a strong music ecosystem: venues, festivals, cultural anchors, restaurants, hotels, downtown businesses, tourism partners, educators, musicians, and community spaces. The opportunity now is to better connect those pieces so music becomes more visible, more accessible, and more valuable to residents, visitors, businesses, and the broader region.

This public conversation will explore how Elkhart County can turn existing music activity into greater momentum. How do people currently find out about live music? What makes someone take a chance on an unfamiliar artist, venue, or event? How can venues, restaurants, hotels, tourism partners, and local businesses work together to create a stronger fan and visitor experience? And what kinds of coordination, storytelling, and curation could help more people see Elkhart County as a place where music is happening?

The session will bring together voices from tourism, venues, hospitality, and the local music/cultural ecosystem for a practical conversation about what is already working, where the gaps are, and what small but meaningful next steps could help grow audiences, support local businesses, and strengthen Elkhart County’s identity as a music place.

This event is part of a broader statewide conversation about Indiana’s music economy and how communities can better support the people, places, and businesses that make live music possible.

Panel Discussion:

Moderator: Polina Osherov, Executive Director, Pattern Indy

Panelist: Jon Hunsberger, Executive Director, Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Panelist: Grif Eaton, Founder and CEO, Juke

Panelist: Carl Thompson, General Manager, The Lerner Theatre

Lunch is included with ticket registration.

Agenda

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Music Stakeholder Panel
🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Lunch Served
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Tabletop Discussion