QShowcase Arts Market + Conference 2025 Brings Three Days of Connections to Toowoomba
From June 9 to 11 2025, we gathered at The Empire in Toowoomba for three days of conversations, connections, performances and ideas focused on the future of touring in Queensland.
16/06/2025
New name, new venue and a new schedule — but the same mission... to craft a bright future of touring opportunities across Queensland.
Building on the momentum of last year’s CONNECT conference — which relaunched Queensland’s state showcase and introduced QTouring, the new statewide arts touring service — this year marked the inaugural QShowcase: Arts Market + Conference, presented by QTouring in partnership with Stage Queensland and supported by Arts Queensland.
Taking place over three jam-packed days at The Empire in Toowoomba, the event set out to honour the tradition of past showcases while raising the bar even higher, with more conversations, connections, performances, and ideas than ever before. Thanks to our members, sponsors, venue staff, showcasing artists, and the wider sector, QShowcase delivered a vibrant and insightful program that reflected the depth and talent of Queensland’s performing arts community.
Our first day was all about coming together and getting acquainted. Newcomers were welcomed to the conference in a dedicated gathering, fostering early networking opportunities.
The event opened with a warm Welcome to Country from Bunya Peoples' Aboriginal Corporation, remarks from Mayor Geoff McDonald, The Empire, and Stage Queensland, followed by a panel on The State of Touring featuring panellists from Creative Australia, Arts Queensland, QPAC and Cluster Arts. The evening wrapped up with a lively networking session thanks to QPAC.
The second day spotlighted Queensland's rich performing arts scene. Attendees experienced a series of 21 showcases, spotlights and company updates featuring in-development and tour-ready works across various genres, including theatre, dance, music, and circus.
The Locals Expo provided a platform for regional artists to present their work over lunch, while the "Meet The Presenters" speed-dating session facilitated direct connections between artists and presenters. An In-School Touring panel, featuring Shake & Stir Theatre Co., Flipside Circus, and Musica Viva Australia, discussed strategies for engaging young audiences. We closed the day with networking catered by The Empire, continuing conversations we'd sparked throughout the day.
The final day focused on industry development and future planning. Sector updates from Matilda Awards, Australian Live Music and Business Council, Vivaticket, JANDS and Stage Queensland were also present throughout the week, offering insights into each aspect of our industry.
Opening with a keynote and panel focused on the importance of ICIP in your creative business practices, Stephanie Parkin of Parallax Legal introduced it's core elements in it's development, and how creatives and organisations can be proactive in the protection of ICIP.
Delegates participated in a backstage venue tour of The Empire Theatre, giving delegates a peak behind the curtain at our beautiful host venue. Other sessions focused on our collective role in greener touring with Green Music Australia and Griffith University's Performance and Ecology Research Lab, as well as a healing session on self-care in arts from QTouring's Natalie Lingwoodock.
Representatives from Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and The Empire gave practical insights into preventing fatigue and workplace safety. A popular session on tour funding, featured insights from Creative Australia and Arts Queensland, allowing for delegates to have their questions and queries answered when it comes to Queensland's arts funds.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at QShowcase 2025 — to our hosts at The Empire, our sponsors, showcasing artists, and everyone who made these three days possible. We can’t wait to see you again next year as we continue building the future of performing arts touring across Queensland.
