CMA EDU Hosts 13th Annual Leadership Summit for Class of 2026-2027

The Country Music Association (CMA) convened its 13th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit in Nashville from July 20 to July 22, 2026. The three‑day event was held at CMA headquarters and several venues across the city, bringing together 34 students from 24 universities nationwide.

The summit is part of CMA EDU’s year‑long professional development program, which offers students hands‑on training, mentorship, and networking opportunities in the country music business. The 2026‑2027 cohort was welcomed by CMA EDU alumni Kate Watson, senior director of industry relations, and Grace Martins, manager of industry relations, who introduced the program and led a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Rock Nashville.

On the first day, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern opened the session with remarks, followed by a presentation from senior vice president Tiffany Kerns, who highlighted the program’s goal of connecting emerging leaders with industry professionals. Students then listened to a panel featuring country artist HARDY and his management team, including founder and artist manager Troy “Tracker” Johnson of TRACK mgmt, tour manager Taylor Watson, and tour‑marketing head Marisa Mineo of The Neal Agency. Madi White, CMA manager of integrated marketing, moderated the discussion.

The afternoon focused on management and digital strategy. Sandbox Entertainment hosted a panel with Madison Moll (digital manager), Lucia Kaminsky (president), and Keith Bunn (digital director). Jordan Maynard, CMA coordinator of marketing, moderated. Students also heard from CMA EDU alumni working in various sectors: Jackson Kiger (A&R manager, Sony Music Publishing), Claire Martin (agent assistant, THE TEAM), and Landon Collins (A&R analytics manager, MCA). The day concluded with a writers’ round featuring Gloria Anderson, Caleb Mitchell, and Braydon Watts.

Wednesday’s keynote was delivered by Troy Tomlinson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. Following the keynote, students participated in professional development activities such as headshots, a Q&A with Kerns, and one‑on‑one conversations with Watson and Martins. The summit ended with a “Live at CMA” session, where rising artist Stella Lefty performed. The session was moderated by CMA EDU student Jade Blatter.

The CMA EDU program is designed to prepare students for careers in the country music industry. According to the CMA, the program offers a mix of remote and in‑person learning, allowing participants from any location to join. Alumni of the program now work across the music business, and the organization reports that hundreds of graduates hold positions in publishing, management, marketing, and A&R.

Applications for the 2027‑2028 class open on August 4, 2026. Interested students can find more information on the CMA EDU website.

The 13th summit continues CMA’s tradition of fostering the next generation of country music professionals. By bringing together students, alumni, and industry leaders, the event reinforces the CMA’s commitment to education and career development within the genre.

The summit’s schedule and speaker lineup reflect the breadth of the country music ecosystem, from touring and marketing to publishing and digital strategy. The event also highlighted the importance of networking, mentorship, and real‑world experience for aspiring industry professionals.

Overall, the 2026‑2027 CMA EDU summit provided participants with exposure to top talent, industry insights, and practical skills that will support their future careers in the country music business.