ECCHO Live Workshop: Why Professional Development Matters More Than Ever
- Kara Kemp
- Oct 15
- 7 min read
Every fall, as the tour buses start to slow and the loadouts wind down, the ECCHO Live Workshop comes to life. It’s more than a workshop — it’s a gathering place for live event and touring professionals to hit pause, reconnect, and reinvest in themselves. For fourteen years, our organization has brought this workshop to life because we believe in the power of showing up for your career — not just when the spotlight is on, but in the quieter moments when growth happens.
Why We Keep Doing This
The live event industry is built on adrenaline, creativity, and long hours — but it also thrives on innovation, connection, and resilience. ECCHO Live Workshop is our way of giving back to the people who make the magic happen, creating space for them to learn, grow, and re-calibrate.
Each year, we hear stories of attendees who leave inspired, equipped, and ready to take their next professional leap. Whether it’s landing a better gig after a Career Essentials Lab session, discovering a new strategy from a panel, or simply realizing they’re not alone in their career challenges cause they met a new colleague who shared their experiences with them— these moments are why we keep showing up, year after year.
The 2024 theme, Navigate, invites you to use ECCHO Live Workshop as your personal “workbox” for building a stronger, more sustainable career. You’ll have the chance to explore insurance options, learn how to set up your business, attend panels with touring and festival specialists, take a deep dive into caring for yourself better during gigs and hear directly from industry veterans. Each session is designed to give you practical tools—whether it’s managing health and finances or expanding your professional network—so you leave feeling confident, capable, and connected. We feel the ripple effects of that impact resonate across our entire live event community each year, and we believe you do as well!
We are truly honored to welcome Sarah Trahern as our keynote speaker. Since being named CEO of the Country Music Association in 2014, Sarah has demonstrated remarkable foresight and determination, shaping the CMA’s brand identity and leading some of the most strategic and intentional initiatives in the country music industry.
Under her leadership, the CMA launched a robust new membership structure in 2023, reinforcing its role as a vital resource for information, professional development, and community collaboration. Sarah also oversees the organization’s acclaimed television properties, one of the world’s largest music festivals, and serves as President of the CMA Foundation. Recognized widely for her impact, Sarah consistently appears on Billboard lists and has received honors from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville Business Journal, CRB, and NMPA. Her visionary leadership and dedication to the industry make her keynote at ECCHO Live an unmissable opportunity.
Investing in Yourself Is the Best Show You’ll Ever Run
Last year, we introduced a new element to the ECCHO Live experience — our Career Essentials Lab — and it quickly became a favorite. Designed to add practical skills to your professional toolbox, these pre-event sessions offer a chance to meet face-to-face, dig into real questions, and get your hands dirty in the nitty-gritty of career growth. The feedback was fantastic, so we’re bringing it back this year!
Career Essentials 1: Defend Systems – Active Shooter Response Training
This isn’t a session any of us want to think about—but it’s one we can’t afford to ignore. As live event professionals, we work in environments where safety is paramount, and preparedness saves lives.
Defend Systems will guide attendees through active shooter response training rooted in real-world case studies. This isn’t abstract theory—it’s about the missteps we can learn from, the systems that actually work, and the tools that make us more confident and capable in crisis.
History and Lessons Learned: what past tragedies teach us about prevention and response.
D.E.F.E.N.D. acronym: a step-by-step, easy-to-recall system for responding under pressure.
Rapid Response Medical: hands-on bleeding control techniques that anyone can use in the critical moments before medical personnel arrive.
This training is designed for civilians, with no graphic imagery—just straightforward tools you can use to protect yourself and others. It’s an intense but deeply empowering way to start the day.
Career Essentials 2: Professional Headshots with Angel Pardue
Your first impression often happens online, not in person—and your headshot tells part of that story. Enter Angel Pardue, whose photography is known for capturing people at their most authentic and vibrant.
For just $25 (a fraction of her normal rate), you’ll get:
Two professionally edited headshots
Final images emailed directly to you
A polished look for LinkedIn, resumes, and portfolios
Angel’s work blends artistry and professionalism, giving you more than a photo—it’s a confidence boost you’ll carry into your next meeting, interview, or audition.
Career Essentials 3: Starting Your Career
If you’re a student, recent grad, or just starting out in live music, this one’s for you. Led by Rachael Bronstein and Stephen Navyac, this session goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the realities of building a career from the ground up.
Expect open conversations about:
Managing the ups and downs of gig life
Building financial habits that last
Prioritizing your mental health in an unpredictable indus
It’s a space where you can ask questions freely, learn directly from people who’ve walked the path, and connect with peers who are at the same starting line.
Career Essentials 4: Resume Consultations with Stephanie Hawkins
You’ve got the experience. You’ve done the gigs. But does your resume truly reflect your value? That’s where Stephanie Hawkins comes in.
With decades of HR and employee benefits expertise, plus a history of leadership with MT|SHRM, Stephanie knows exactly what makes a resume stand out. She’ll be offering free, 15-minute consultations to fine-tune your professional materials.
Bring your resume (digital or print), and walk away with:
Clear, actionable feedback
Confidence that your materials match your skills
A professional edge heading into the main Workshop
Investing in Yourself Is the Best Show You’ll Ever Run
We design our workshop sessions to reflect the full spectrum of a professional’s journey — from building strong foundations to exploring forward-thinking innovations. This year, we’re offering a deeper look into what these sessions will cover, giving you a clearer sense of the tools and insights you can expect. You can view the full lineup of speakers and the complete schedule on our website.
Session Panels Preview #1: Opening the Workshop at 6:25 PM
As the Navigate Workshop begins, you’ll have a chance to dive straight into the conversations that matter most. This first block sets the tone for the evening—practical, candid, and built around giving you tools to take back into your daily work.
Getting the Gig What do tour and production managers look for when hiring? This open conversation shares real insight into what gets you noticed, hired, and remembered.
Setting Up Your Business With Joy Black, learn how to build a solid business foundation—covering the local, state, and federal steps to keep your work professional and protected.
Crew to Command: Leadership Pathways Ever wonder how to make the leap from crew to leader? This panel explores the skills, challenges, and opportunities that shape leadership in entertainment.
Ask the Money Panel Finances on the road don’t come with a manual. Moderated by Rachael Bronstein, with Tate Henshaw and Jason Moll, CPA, this interactive session puts your questions front and center.
Session Panels Preview #2: Building Momentum at 7:20 PM
The second block is all about growth—whether that means stepping into leadership, balancing life on the road, or shaping your career path with intention.
Follow Her Lead Explore how women in leadership are transforming tours, teams, and projects, and why diverse perspectives drive stronger outcomes.
Navigating Life On and Off the Road With Danielle Bowker, Julia Langner, Stephen Navyac, and Robert Bull, this panel opens the floor to talk about practical tools for self-care, mental health, and financial well-being.
From Experience to Opportunity Your skills are valuable—this session shows you how to leverage them into new opportunities, network growth, and long-term career moves.
Freelance Like a Pro With Mark Oglesby, Lolo Kinser and Fred Yanda, learn what it takes to build a thriving freelance career—fair rates, strong reputations, and smart business practices.
Session Panels Preview #3: Digging Deeper at 8:15 PM
As the night continues, the third session block gives you the chance to focus on sustainability—financial, personal, and professional.
The Independent Contractor Hear directly from contractors about the realities of going independent, from pros and cons to career pathways in global events.
Health Insurance Options David Stamps and Jacob Land break down your options so you can make informed choices about one of the most critical parts of your future: healthcare.
The Power of Mentorship Discover how mentorship can open doors, shape careers, and strengthen our industry from the inside out.
Industry Resources Panel Learn from CMA, ACM, MusiCares, and People Loving Nashville about the resources already available to you and how to connect with them.
The Companies That Make It Possible
This event wouldn’t be possible without our incredible sponsors. From our room sponsors who return year after year to our annual supporters and production partners, each plays a vital role in bringing this workshop to life. It takes a great deal of time, resources, and collaboration to make this free event happen—and we’re deeply honored and grateful for their continued belief that this investment truly makes an impact.
Why It All Matters
By the end of the night, ECCHO Live Workshop will have given you a toolkit—financial advice, leadership lessons, business practices, wellness support, and real community. But what makes this event different is the conversations you’ll carry forward.
The advice from a tour manager that lands you your next gig.
A connection in a session that turns into a mentor or colleague.
A small business or health insurance step that removes stress from your day-to-day.
Professional development isn’t a one-time gig—it’s an ongoing rehearsal, a commitment to keep learning, connecting, and refining your craft. At ECCHO Live, we hope we are making that process accessible, practical, and meaningful. We believe professional growth is about more than just information; it’s about equipping people for sustainable, thriving careers. That’s exactly what our sessions are designed to do. By taking the time to invest in yourself, you’re not only strengthening your own path but also contributing to the vitality of the industry we all love.
We can’t wait to see you there.
Empowering People. Amplifying Potential.
— The ECCHO Live Team
👉 Navigate your way to registration to the ECCHO Live Workshop below!
And of course, there were multiple votes for Gold Bond, no explanation necessary.
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