October 2-5, 2025
Pacific Contact 2025
BC Live’s annual performing arts showcase conference, Pacific Contact 2025, took place October 2-5 on Vancouver’s Granville Island – its first return to the city’s cultural hub in 25 years – and proved to be an inspiring and highly successful four-day event.
More than 300 performing arts professionals gathered to experience over 40 inspiring showcases and pitches from artists representing a wide range of disciplines and cultures. Throughout the conference, participants connected, shared ideas, and built collaborations that will continue to strengthen their work and enrich communities across BC.
From the lively Contact Room exhibit hall to networking events, panels, one-on-one meetings, and hands-on workshops, every moment offered a chance to spark new partnerships and deepen connections.
From Participants
“I really enjoyed the diversity of the showcase artists and the quality of the presentations; I thought it was very well curated and organized. I appreciate the thoughtful curation of the hospitality with the reception featuring Indigenous food and the dinner supporting a Syrian caterer, which shows your commitment to EDI and how it’s incorporated into multiple aspects of the conference.”
Xin Xuan Song – Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancouver
“We had some fantastic conversations with the types of venues that I would love to play, and great interest from a number of performance venues across BC, which is exactly what we were hoping for. It was our first Pacific Contact, so there’s always so much to learn, but it left us both inspired and invigorated to take the next steps with the show and our strategic plans.”
Kristina Lao (pictured) & Cindy Au Yeung
Pacific Contact Highlights
Family & Young Audience Focus
Pacific Contact’s Family & Young Audience Showcases take place October 3, 2025.
Contact Room
The Contact Room is an exhibit hall with booths designed to connect artists and presenters and create booking opportunities. All showcasing artists are required to have a booth in the Contact Room.
Network Meetings & Workshops
Pacific Contact creates deep connections through professional development opportunities and networking events.
Special Events & Hospitality
Throughout the conference, we offer plenty of ways to connect, unwind, and celebrate with your fellow delegates.
Closing Party – Dinner, Awards, Band/DJ
Pacific Contact 2025’s Closing Party will take place at Performance Works on Granville Island, featuring a delicious buffet and the BC Live Awards Ceremony. Pack your dancing shoes for live music and a DJ!
Sponsorship
Make a meaningful contribution to the conference’s success while supporting the regional network of live performing arts in British Columbia.
First Timer Guide
Attending Pacific Contact requires preparation and an investment of time, energy and money. BC Live has created a guide to help you plan and maximize the benefits of your conference experience.
Program Advertising
The Pacific Contact Program Guide offers an exclusive advertising opportunity, connecting you with performing arts professionals in the vibrant arts and culture sector in BC and across Canada.
Land Acknowledgement
Before the land we call Granville Island existed, this space was used by the three Host Nations, the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh). Granville Island was originally two sandbars in the middle of San’aq (what we now call False Creek), it was an important location for these Nations, as it provided an abundant food supply; when the tide went out, the fish, seaweed, and shellfish would get trapped between the bars; the perfect local food source.
BC Live last hosted Pacific Contact on Granville Island in 2000, 25 years ago, and we are thrilled to be back in the cultural capital of Vancouver. We are committed to the work of reconciliation and decolonization, and to building relationships based on sharing and reciprocity with Indigenous communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Indigenous peoples and to work towards a future of shared understanding, mutual respect, and cultural revitalization.