The Training Centre is the practical learning space within The SMIA Summit 2026.
Sessions will focus on areas where individuals and organisations can make changes within their own work, with practical guidance designed to strengthen day-to-day practice and long-term resilience.
Attendees will also receive useful templates, worksheets, guides and checklists to take away and continue using after The SMIA Summit 2026.
You can view the full day schedule here.
Organisations are encouraged to bring their teams, giving colleagues the opportunity to attend different training sessions and bring that learning back into their organisation.
Training Centre sessions will have limited capacity, with places available on a first come, first served basis on the day of The SMIA Summit 2026.
Training Centre Programme
The SMIA Summit 2026 programme will combine big picture conversations about the future of Scotland’s music industry with practical training designed to support the people and organisations working within it.
Foundational Principles That All Music Organisations Should Have Workshop
10:45am – 11:45am (In Person)
Whether you’re running a venue, record label, festival, creative organisation or working as a sole trader, strong foundations are essential for building a sustainable organisation.
This session will cover strategic planning, governance, organisational structure and Fair Work, helping attendees understand the core principles needed to operate effectively, adapt to change and make stronger decisions.
What you’ll cover:
- Vision and mission statements
- SWOT and PESTLE analysis
- Governance arrangements and documentation
- Fair Work
What you’ll take away:
A clearer understanding of your organisation’s strengths and weaknesses, alongside practical approaches for building a more sustainable way of working.
Facilitated by Judith Eele
Development Lead, Community Enterprise
Speaker Biography
Judith leads Community Enterprise’s team of ten development consultants, who support purpose-driven organisations across Scotland to strengthen their foundations and turn their ambitions into lasting impact.
In eight years with Community Enterprise, Judith has worked with organisations ranging from grassroots groups to established charities and social enterprises across rural and urban Scotland.
She has conducted feasibility studies, business planning and funding strategy work for projects including a community cinema and arts venue and a major museum under development, and has helped clients raise over £7.5 million.
Financial Resilience: Building Sustainable Music Organisations Workshop
12:00pm – 1:00pm (In Person)
Financial uncertainty is a major challenge for many organisations working across Scotland’s music industry.
This session will explore practical ways to strengthen financial resilience, including budgeting, cash flow management, forecasting, income diversification and risk planning.
It will also look at how organisations can prepare for periods of uncertainty and make more confident financial decisions.
What you’ll cover:
- Cash flow forecasting
- Reserves policies
- Business model review
- Financial storytelling
- Crisis management
What you’ll take away:
Practical financial tools and frameworks to support better budgeting, cash flow management and longer-term planning.
Facilitated by Jamie Laughland
Accountant and Business Manager, Sopher + Co
Director and Founder, It’sNotRadio
Speaker Biography
Jamie has been involved in the financial and business management for a range of artists, labels, and managers from those staring out to established names in the music industry.
As well as gaining hands-on experience from creating and maintaining a company, It’sNotRadio, an online radio station that led onto running events across some of Glasgow and Edinburgh’s nighttime venues.
Measuring and Communicating Your Impact Workshop
2:00pm – 3:00pm (In Person)
How can you demonstrate the value of your work and communicate it in ways that unlock funding and future opportunities?
This session explores how to evaluate the impact of your work, gather meaningful evidence and then communicate that value to stakeholders like funders, partners, sponsors and team members.
Attendees will learn how to engage stakeholders, how to use data and stories to strengthen their case, and thus how to develop a compelling value proposition for funding applications and other opportunities.
What you’ll cover:
- Measuring impact and value
- Stakeholder engagement
- Addressing challenges
- Using evaluation to improve future work
What you’ll take away:
A better understanding of how to develop a clear value proposition that can be used across funding applications and stakeholder communications.
Facilitated by Peta Murphy
Lead Learning Architect, Enterprise & Innovation Organisation, Coventry University Group
Speaker Biography
Peta specialises in turning complex industry challenges into high-value commercial solutions. Leveraging Coventry University Group’s academic and research strengths alongside deep product development expertise, she designs and delivers high-impact CPD programmes, bespoke consultancy, and contract research for external clients and academic leaders alike.
With a rich background in executive leadership across Arts Council England, local government, and as the founder of a participatory arts company, Peta brings a dynamic, real-world perspective to bridging the gap between innovative strategy and actionable market value.
Part of The SMIA Summit 2026
The Training Centre runs alongside the Conference Centre, where keynotes and panel discussions will focus on the challenges facing Scotland’s music industry and what needs to change.
The Conference Centre programme includes:
Register for the SMIA Summit 2026
The SMIA Summit 2026 is free for SMIA members, with places available on a first come, first served basis.
We welcome people from across Scotland’s music industry, and organisations are encouraged to bring their teams so more people can take part in the conversations and training throughout the day.
Not a member yet? SMIA membership is free and open to anyone working in Scotland’s music industry.
Registration for the SMIA Summit 2026 will unlock when you log into the SMIA website and view this page.
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility requirements or would like to discuss how we can support your attendance at The SMIA Summit 2026, please contact info@smia.org.uk.
The venue access guide can be found here.
You can also access our SMIA Code of Conduct here.