Canadian Music Week (CMW) has announced the first annual Live Music Industry Awards, taking place on May 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The awards, created by CMW in partnership with the International Festival Network and Music Canada Live, will honour outstanding individuals and achievements in the live music sector.

“We know the live music sector is driving revenue for the music industry, with festivals and concerts also increasing tourism in cities across North America,” said Cameron Wright, Vice President, Operations and Live Programming for Canadian Music Week, in a release. “We look forward to recognizing the players and decision-makers from Canada and around the world who are advancing this growth, through an award show dedicated to the live music industry. The awards will celebrate a wide range of Canada’s venues, market sizes and the artists that fill those venues as well as the infrastructure of personnel that make this happen.”

“The time has absolutely come for a comprehensive celebration of live music in this country,” said Music Canada Live Executive Director Erin Benjamin. “We are thrilled to collaborate with CMW – to highlight the important achievements of our members, and those working hard to put amazing talent in front of audiences across the country, from coast to coast to coast.”

Nominees will be posted at www.LiveMusicAwards.net, with winners determined by votes from the general public and members of the industry. The awards will cap off CMW’s Live Music Summit, which has been extended to a two-day event, running May 6-7, 2016.