More Than Networking: How CMA EDU Leadership Summit Invests in the Future of Country Music
Since 2011, CMA EDU Leadership Academy has helped prepare college students for careers in Country Music by connecting them with the people, knowledge and experiences that shape the industry. As the trade association for Country Music, CMA is committed not only to supporting today’s professionals, but also to developing the next generation of leaders who will contribute to the genre’s continued growth.
The CMA EDU Leadership Summit, the program’s flagship event, brings students to Nashville for three days of collaboration, professional development and hands-on learning. This year, the 2026–2027 CMA EDU class includes 34 students representing 23 universities. Held July 20–22, the Summit featured conversations with CMA EDU alumni and industry professionals, a writers’ round and a live performance from Stella Lefty.
The Summit gives students direct access to professionals who have built careers across the Country Music business, helping make an often-intimidating industry feel more understandable and accessible.
“The hardest part for any young professional is making those first connections and getting those first experiences,” said CMA EDU student Samantha Mills, a Fort Lauderdale native and senior at the University of Florida. “CMA EDU helped me take those beginning steps. It has made me feel much more equipped to enter the music industry, which can definitely seem intimidating at first, and that has been beyond helpful.”
By connecting students with established professionals, CMA EDU helps bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace while reducing barriers to entering the music community.
“CMA EDU provides an opportunity for small-town students to hear real insights from professionals in the music industry,” said Clay Hale, a Mississippi native and graduate student at the University of Mississippi. “Stepping inside the CMA building makes the industry feel close.”
The Summit also creates intentional opportunities for students to build relationships with peers who share their interests and ambitions. Those connections can become an important support system as students begin navigating internships, first jobs and the early stages of their careers.
Ahead of the Summit, Kate Lambert, a Florida native and junior at the University of Central Florida, said, “I’m most looking forward to meeting other like-minded students at the Summit, as well as having the opportunity to meet and learn from real professionals working in the industry.”
For Mills, the relationships formed within the CMA EDU class became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
“The best part, though, was getting to know the other members of my cohort, who are all so talented and passionate about the industry,” she said.
Hale also emphasized the Summit’s role in building a stronger professional community.
“It is necessary today for aspiring entry-level professionals in our industry to form horizontal and vertical connections,” he said.
Those connections are only one part of the program’s impact. CMA EDU also gives students greater visibility into the many career paths that support Country Music and provides experiences that can prepare them for future internships, volunteer opportunities and full-time roles.
“I have gained so many things through this program,” Mills said. “But at the top of the list is visibility into the Country Music industry and hands-on experience.”
Through CMA EDU, students leave with more than a collection of new contacts. They gain practical knowledge, confidence in their abilities and a stronger understanding of how they can contribute to the Country Music community.
As the trade association for Country Music, CMA has a responsibility to help strengthen the industry for the future. By investing in students and creating pathways for them to learn, connect and gain experience, CMA EDU helps develop the professionals who will one day lead, support and advance Country Music.
