Billboard Music Managers to Watch Expands to Canada at NXNE 2025

Billboard Canada is getting ready to spotlight the vital movers and shakers of the music industry: music managers.

Managers to Watch – Billboard’s highlight of teams behind music’s biggest breakout artists – will expand to Canada for the first time at this year’s NXNE festival.

A special invite-only Managers to Watch reception will take place on June 11, 2025, directly before Billboard Canada Power Players. The event will build on Billboard Canada’s new partnership with Music Managers Forum, which is moving its Honour Roll celebration of the most legendary managers in the business to NXNE this year.

Both recognitions will be given out at the Managers to Watch reception, after which all invited managers will be invited to stay and mingle with the most influential members of the industry at Billboard Canada Power Players.

The event will foster community and opportunity for managers and self-managed artists, who play a critical role in the success of Canadian artists on the international stage.

"We’re proud to partner with MMF Canada to spotlight the managers powering the next wave of talent,” says Mo Ghoneim, President of Billboard UK and Canada. “They’re key players behind many of the industry’s biggest breakthroughs, and we’re excited to recognize their contributions on a global stage through Billboard."

The Music Managers to Watch list will feature a hand-selected list of artists and self-managed artists making waves in the industry. It will be chosen by the editorial team at Billboard Canada. Managers can submit for consideration using this form.

Members of MMF Canada will also have access to a dedicated submission portal.

Billboard Canada Managers to Watch is presented in partnership with Tixr.