Pacific Contact 2026 will be held from October 1-4 for the first time in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, BC.

Pacific Contact attracts over 300 delegates each year, approximately 100 of these are presenter delegates from BC, across Canada and the US. Some of these presenters book their entire seasons from Pacific Contact showcases. Other delegates include festivals, schools, facility managers, artists, agents, managers and government funding partners and industry representatives.

Showcases: Showcases are an important opportunity for artists who wish to reach presenters and build tours in BC. Showcase performances are approximately 15 minutes long and include music, theatre and dance showcases as well as a family showcase with school students in attendance.

Pitch & Perform: These short, 5-minute pitch and performance opportunities are chosen by the selection panel and are a much-loved Pacific Contact tradition. Artists will get a 5-minute tech run-through and technical support is provided.

Contact Room: The Contact Room is designed as a place where artists and presenters can connect and explore booking opportunities. All showcasing, pitch and perform artists are required to have a booth in the Contact Room.

Closing Party & Awards: The final evening party is a highlight of Pacific Contact. This year Closing party is open to all delegates and will feature a buffet dinner and a celebratory awards ceremony.

Panels, Meetings, Workshops, Meals: Pacific Contact 2026 will feature a range of professional development opportunities as well as social events, including meals and refreshment breaks. Artists are encouraged to attend as many of these opportunities as possible to enhance their experience and maximize their opportunities for creating connections.

Performing artists of all genres and disciplines are encouraged to apply for a showcase performance. A diversity of showcase offerings is an important priority for the selection committee and for the presenters who attend the conference.

Selected showcase artists will be featured in 15-minute showcase performances on stage at The Port Theatre in Nanaimo. There will be a 5-minute break between acts for set changes. During the 5-minute break, the Host may conduct a brief conversation with the artist who has just performed. Artists should be prepared to showcase the performance that was stated in the application. Any changes must be requested and will be reviewed by our selection committee for approval.

BC Live will provide the following to showcase artists:

Notification: Showcase applicants for Pacific Contact 2026 conference will be notified of results no later than April 30, 2026.

Sound: A full FOH and monitor sound system will be provided for showcasing artists. This will include FOH and monitor consoles with operators, monitor wedges, microphones, and cabling.

Lighting: A general static wash will be available. This will be preset and cannot be modified for showcases. If you have any special lighting needs such as black lights, blackouts, etc., please indicate these in your application.

Backline: A standard main stage backline package will be provided, including: an acoustic drum kit, electric piano, synthesizer, two guitar amplifiers, and a bass amplifier/cabinet. This equipment is provided as a convenience to the artists and to assist in keeping showcases running smoothly and on time.

Video: Equipment for projected video or slideshow will be available. Showcasing artist must provide the media source.

Tech Time: Performers must be available on October 1, 2, or 3 to run a 30-minute tech/sound-check and review final needs with the technical staff, sound engineer, and stage manager. All showcasing artists will be notified in advance of their load-in/sound check schedule.

The BC Live Production Manager will work closely with showcase artists to best meet their needs, but certain modifications may be necessary due to time constraints and production flow. Only technical staff provided by BC Live and the showcase venues may operate equipment during the showcases, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.

Other than professional sound, lighting and standard stage equipment, BC Live will not be financially responsible for, or supply any special equipment or instruments required by the showcase artist.

This year, all showcase applicants will receive a free BC Live one-year membership, which includes a listing in our online artist directory. If you are already a member, select this in your application, and once this has been reviewed by staff, the fee will be waived.

Showcase applications are open to performers of all genres and types, from music, to dance, theatre, comedy, circus, young audience and variety acts.

Showcase artists are selected by a panel comprised of presenters, agents and artists. Each applicant submits work and information in the form of video files, promotional and technical materials. The panel chooses a varied selection of approximately 24 acts for a full showcase and 20 acts for Pitch & Performs based on:

• Artistic merit and professionalism,
• Equity, diversity and inclusion,
• Feasibility and tourability,
• Marketability and engagement.

The final selections will be reviewed and adjusted based on genre diversity, regional representation, and gender equity. For more details on the Showcase Selection Criteria, visit the BC Live website.

Application materials should reflect the configuration and program for the showcasing group, and showcases must reflect the performance to be toured. Artists should be comfortable and prepared to tour BC during the fall, winter and spring months in all weather conditions. Applying to showcase requires an availability to tour BC in either the 2027-28 season or the 2028-29 season.

Artists are not permitted to showcase the same act in two concurrent years; however, they can perform new content in a different artist group or format. For this reason, some artists stagger the years they apply to showcase.

BC Live's showcase is a highly sought-after opportunity, and each year, there are more qualified applicants than showcase slots available. Sometimes selected artists cannot make the showcase and then artists who are selected for a Pitch & Perform may be asked to step into a full-length showcase. No formal feedback will be provided; however, informal inquiries if you are not selected to showcase are permitted.

Showcase applications for Pacific Contact 2026 will be accepted until 5:00 pm on March 6. All applicants must pay a non-refundable fee of $55 per application, which is required by PayPal (bank or credit card) or cheque at the time of submission or at the application deadline. This year all showcase applicants will receive a free BC Live one-year membership which includes a listing in our online artist directory. Please be advised that your details will be transferred directly to the membership directory which is listed publicly on the BC Live website. If you are already a BC Live member you please check the box and you will receive a free application.

If selected, the following is required of showcase artists:

Be available to perform a 15 showcase on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, October 1, 2 or 3, 2026. Be available for a 30-minute tech time on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday, October 1, 2 or 3. Showcase and tech times are assigned by conference management. Special requests will be considered, but accommodation is not guaranteed.

Register for a Contact Room booth or have representation in the Contact Room by an agent or manager. Registration will be available in Spring 2026 and full details will be posted at www.bclive.ca as well as emailed to artists and their representatives.

Complete and return the showcase agreement and technical production form by the deadline. Showcase applicants will receive notification of selection by April 30, 2026.

BC Live reserves the right to use showcasing artists’ submitted images and content for the promotion of BC Live, Pacific Contact 2026 and in future years. Images may be used in email communications, on our social channels and website. Artists can opt-out of this in future by contacting us.

This application does not represent a commitment by BC Live to provide a showcase.

The BC Live Performance Network assumes no responsibility for costs associated with showcasing, including travel and accommodations.

The $55 showcase application fee is not refundable.