Erin Benjamin: For The Love of Live

Erin Benjamin is President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and has been since its creation in 2014. Erin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years - first as a touring and recording artist, and then as Executive Director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008). Erin has been an unflagging champion for the live music sector, particularly during the difficulties presented by COVID-19. She currently serves on the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Industries pandemic-response Ontario Music Panel as co-chair, and on advisory committees for Ontario Creates, the National Arts Centre Creation Fund and Algonquin College.

Erin also sits as a board member for the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Ottawa Film Office and the Unison Fund – Canada’s leading music industry charity. Under her leadership, the CLMA launched the #FortheLoveofLIVE awareness campaign to amplify the impact of COVID-19 on the live music industry for government. The campaign has reached over 60M (and growing) and has helped to leverage over $300M+ in emergency relief for the broader live music sector. Since March 2020, she has produced a weekly livestream show out from her living room with a local artist which has raised over $150,000 for local charities in need during the pandemic.

She is the recipient of several awards including the United Way’s Community Ambassador Award and the Ontario 150 Award, in recognition of her service to community.

Find out more about the Canadian Live Music Association: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/

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