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About Departure March

About.

YOUR LAUNCHPAD TO NEW IDEAS

Attend Departure

Departure is where the world’s hungriest talent in music, art, comedy, and technology find the inspiration, support, and resources they need to take it all the way.

Departure is a dynamic and innovative launchpad featuring diverse talent, boundless energy, and committed artists. This kind of ambition and audacity draws talent from all across Canada and internationally, energizes creatives from all disciplines, and offers a fresh spark of inspiration that keeps passion alive. Here, you’ll discover new talent, groundbreaking work, and innovative ideas.

The reimagined Canadian Music Week is ready to embody and honour the extraordinary spirit that defines the Canadian and global creative community - a true celebration of artistry.

Our Roots
Run Deep

For over 40 years, Canadian Music Week has brought the world together, introducing the brightest stars to the global stage.

Attend Departure
1982
Canadian Music Week is Canada’s 2nd longest-running music event since its original inception as The Record Music Industry Conference in 1982.
1990s
Canadian Music Week attracted more international attention and broadened its scope beyond rock and pop to include a wider range of genres, including hip-hop, electronic, and folk.
2010
The festival continued to expand, with more venues and attendees each year, solidifying its position as a major event in Toronto.
2022
The 40th anniversary of Canadian Music Week was celebrated returning to an in-person festival and conference after hybrid and digital editions.
2024
Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group Canada acquire Canadian Music Week setting the stage for a bold new era: Departure.

Get
Involved

For over 40 years, Canadian Music Week has brought the world together, introducing the brightest stars to the global stage.

Become a
Volunteer

Join the crew. We’re recruiting hundreds of volunteers to help us welcome the world to Toronto.

Become a
Vendor

Showcase your business or product to a culturally-curious and connected global audience.

Prepare For
Departure

What sets us apart is we’re not just a magnet for industry leaders; we’re a launchpad helping artists breakout and ideas breakthrough.

Explore Passes

Diversity

Explore a dynamic mix of music, comedy and art that bridges genres and generations. From rising stars to iconic headliners, our stages celebrate the pulse of creativity and the thrill of discovery.

Community

Experience the magic of shared moments. Departure will capture the excitement of unlimited possibility: trying new things, meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, bringing together people, art, and stories that connect and inspire on every level.

Growth

Dive into a space where innovation drives the conversation. Through visionary talks, interactive workshops, and creative collaboration, we explore the intersection of music, technology, and culture to grow impact in the industry and your career.

We Support

Departure's impact is strengthened from partners that recognize the importance of diversity, community, and growth.

Unison

https://unisonhcs.org/

Smilezone Foundation

https://www.smilezone.com/

Frequently
Asked

Add Settings
Departure is a reimagination of Canadian Music Week. Our audiences have grown alongside CMW for the past 42 years and have been integral to our success. By expanding our offerings, while staying true to our roots in music, Departure will create an inclusive and vibrant environment that will also attract international artists and creatives of the younger generation, allowing for a deeper, more diverse conversation and a better representation of the cultural hub that is Toronto. Departure honours where we’ve come from, and celebrates where we are going.
Hotel X Toronto, the urban resort on the Lake Ontario Waterfront, will serve as Departure’s host hotel for the conference, the global event will reach audiences across Toronto with festival and concert venues in every corner of the city, from May 6–11, 2025.
Taking place May 6–8 at Hotel X Toronto, ​Radiodays North America is the premier conference for radio, podcasting, and digital audio professionals, Radiodays will feature inspiring speakers about the latest trends and strategies shaping the future of audio.

Have a question we didn’t answer? Reach out at hello@departureto.com