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Pacific Contact – First Timer’s Guide (Artists/Artistic Companies/Agent & Manager Delegates)

Pacific Contact 2026

We have created a guide to Pacific Contact to help you plan and maximize the benefits of the conference experience. Attending the conference requires preparation and an investment of time, energy and money.

About Pacific Contact

Pacific Contact is BC Live’s annual showcase festival and conference for the performing arts. It includes artist showcases, a Contact Room (trade show where artists and agents/managers exhibit), workshops, meetings, networking and hospitality. Juried showcases include Music, Dance, Theatre, and Variety acts, showcasing for delegates who book for adult and family audiences.

Setting Goals

Setting goals for your conference experience will help you focus on why you’re attending. Your goal could be simple: attending all events or meeting a certain number of presenters from a specific region to learn about what they present, how they book performances, and when they do so.

Prepare Your Schedule

We highly recommend reviewing the schedule before you arrive to become familiar with all the events. The schedule runs from morning until evening, so being informed will help you prioritize how you spend your time and when to plan some downtime. Pay particular attention to the times in the Contact Room. The Contact Room is the place to discuss bookings and learn more about the touring artists.

Connect with Colleagues

The list of delegates is available before the conference. A link is included in our email communications to delegates regarding the conference. Each delegate listing features a link to a website (where applicable). Do your research ahead of time, so you know a little about who is attending in advance. You are there to network and develop relationships that will lead to mutually rewarding career-long opportunities. Participate as much as possible, as this is crucial to maximizing the experience. You will make stronger connections with people if they remember meeting you or simply seeing your face!

Some of your best connections will come from attending hospitality and special events in the evenings. Use this time to get to know people informally.

Attend the Artists/Artistic Companies or Agent/Managers Meetings

These meetings provide an opportunity to meet with colleagues from across Canada to share successes and discuss touring experiences.

Attend Other Events

Attend workshops and meetings to take advantage of the professional development offered. Meeting your peers is a great way to share valuable information, discuss important issues and ask questions.

Late-Night Hospitality

All delegates and showcasing artists are invited to the late-night hospitality on Thursday and Friday nights.

Conference Tips

Pacific Contact Printed Program Guide: You will receive a printed program with your registration package. The program features a detailed schedule, showcase artists’ bios/photos and contact information, a Contact Room layout and list (alphabetical and by number), and more. Be sure to keep your copy, so you can refer to it following the conference.

General Tips

  • Keep notes on business cards, in a notebook, or use delegate lists to track the people you meet. This will help you remember people you met as you do your follow-up.
  • Share something personal about you, and always tell people where you’re from to help them remember you.
  • Drink plenty of water and minimize your consumption of coffee and alcohol. You are working even when attending social events.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking and standing.
  • Don’t be shy about asking questions, our team are there to help you.

Contact Room Details

For more information, please visit our Contact Room page.

Contact Room Set-up/Strike

  • Set up: Friday, October 2 from Noon to 2:30 PM
  • Strike: Saturday, October 3 from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Contact Room Times

  • Friday, October 2 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 3 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The Contact Room is open 15 minutes before scheduled hours to allow booths to prepare.

Security: The Contact Room is locked during non-operating hours. As a registered delegate, you must be at your booth when the Contact Room is open. Also, please note the setup and strike times. The room will be open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled operating hours to allow exhibitors to prepare before presenters arrive. You should be at your booth when the Contact Room is open.

Set Up: Tables are set up for tabletop displays. Tables cannot be removed to accommodate floor-to-ceiling displays or other objects. Everything you bring MUST go on the table or hang from the pipe and drape with S hooks. Please advise us immediately if there is something unusual about your setup. We reserve the right to ask you to alter your set-up if there are safety or other concerns.

Badges and Access: Unless registered as a delegate, showcase artists and guests cannot roam freely through the conference, including into the Contact Room. You must wear your badge to be allowed in the Contact Room and other conference spaces.

Etiquette: Please conduct your business at your booth and never do business in front of someone else’s booth.

Goodies & Giveaways: Candies or other giveaways at your booth are allowed. Perishables such as fruit, cheeses or alcoholic beverages (wine) are not permitted.

Prize for Best Booth: We have a prize for the best booth in the Contact Room. The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 3, at the Awards Ceremony, and the winner will be notified. The prize is a 1/4-page ad in next year’s printed program.

Contact Room Tips

  • Bring extra supplies such as ‘S’ hooks, masking tape, pens, etc.
  • We will provide a small step ladder. Please do not stand on the booth space or chairs to hang banners or signage.
  • Bring headphones to play music.
  • Don’t leave valuables. While the room is secure and locked, we recommend you take anything of value with you, including electronic devices (iPads, laptops).
  • Please also take your personal belongings, including coats/jackets, when the room Contact Room closes.
  • You will not have access to the room outside of business hours. Staff members attend showcase events and, therefore, may not always be available or on-site to assist.
  • We will signal the Contact Room closing 15 and 5 minutes prior. Please pack up quickly, as Contact Room times are often followed by other conference events. If you want to continue your conversation with a presenter (s), please arrange to do so outside the Contact Room space.

Following Up: Post-Conference

Complete the Post-Conference Survey

Conference survey links will be sent via email. Please provide honest feedback with details, as your input is crucial to our ongoing conference improvement.

Follow Up

This is by far the most important thing you can do after attending any event. Send a message to all the contacts you made within a week of the event while it’s still fresh in your mind (and theirs). Be brief and relevant.

Manage Expectations

Sometimes delegates want instant results, but that’s not always the case, especially the first time you attend. You might have just met a number of new presenters, but they might not have you in mind this year. They may be thinking two or even three years down the road. Think and strategize for the long term, and you will notice results from your conversations.

Questions & Contacting Us

If you have questions about Pacific Contact, please contact us at admin@bclive.ca.