Echo Podcast Summit returns to Halifax, Canada, this June

The global podcasting conversation will return to Halifax this June as Echo Podcast Summit 2026 brings together creators, platforms, broadcasters, and industry leaders for a full day of discussion centred on one defining theme: community.

Hosted at the Halifax Convention Centre, this year’s summit marks a significant expansion in scale and ambition, building on the momentum of its inaugural year. With support from Acast, Amazon Music, and Podstarter, alongside speakers from Youtube, AMI, Canadaland and CBC. 

Echo 2026 is positioning Halifax once again as a growing hub for meaningful conversations about the future of podcasting. The summit explores how podcasting is evolving beyond content into something deeper: communities built on trust, shared identity, and sustained engagement.

“Podcasting has always been powerful because of its intimacy,” said Rhys Waters, Founder of Podstarter and organizer of Echo Podcast Summit. “But magic happens when we see the shift  from audiences to communities. The creators who understand that shift are the ones building something that lasts.”

Throughout the day, discussions will focus on:

• How creators are building loyal, participatory communities around their shows.
• The sociology and psychology of community building.
• The role of platforms like YouTube in shaping podcast discovery and engagement.
• The long-term value of community-driven growth over short-term reach.

The event will also feature two live podcast recording sessions from CBC and Canadaland, where attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the audience.

Support from industry titans like Acast has allowed a global lens on podcasting to find a home in Halifax. “Acast’s mission in Canada -- and around the world -- is to support the flourishing podcast industry. For the creators who are the lifeblood of our ecosystem, as well as the audiences and advertisers who fuel the growth of the space, we are committed to amplifying these important conversations throughout a healthy media environment. ” Heather Gordon, Managing Director of ACAST Canada.

Speakers include:

Yael Strasberg, the Creator Network Development Manager for Acast Canada, where she heads up Acast Canada’s acquisition and development slate. Heather Gordon, Managing Director, Acast Canada A digital media sales veteran, Heather story weaves through CHUM, MuchMusic and the CBC. Alex Paterson, YouTube’s Podcast Lead for Canada, helping creators, networks and media companies grow on Canada’s most listened to podcast platform.

Giles Crouch, Digital Anthropologist, focused on the invisible cultural forces that shape markets; the rituals, tensions, and meanings that make humans buy, believe, and belong. Mike Bubbins one of the voices behind The Socially Distant Sports Bar, The show, co-hosted with Elis James and Steff Garrero, has become a genuine success story, with hundreds of episodes, a thriving premium audience & sold-out live dates.

Sam Konnert, a host and reporter with Canadaland Politics. Formerly a reporter and podcast producer with CBC, he’s been with Canadaland for 2.5 years. Emily McPhail, Canadaland’s Communications and Audience Engagement Coordinator. She is passionate about amplifying powerful stories and fostering real conversations with audiences. 

Noor Azrieh, journalist, producer, and award-winning host of Canadaland Politics. She has produced long-form documentaries for Commons and reported on complex international investigations, such as the Copernic Affair. Aviva Lessard, an award-winning producer and journalist with expertise in audio storytelling and sound design. She is the senior producer of Canadaland Politics, a weekly podcast focused on federal politics. 

Grace Scoffield, Producer, AMI-audio. An audio content creator with an interest in podcasts, radio, voiceover work, and promotional content production. Ramya Amuthan, Producer of Reflections on AMI-audio. Co-host of Kelly and Ramya on Accessible Media Inc, the live afternoon entertainment and lifestyle show on AMI-tv and AMI-audio, conversing on a variety of topics relating to and concerning the disability community in Canada.

Jennie Bovard, Creator & host of the Low Vision Moments podcast, where she discusses her experiences with albinism and low vision. Steven Scott, broadcaster, podcaster, and proud voice behind Double Tap on AMI-audio, the daily tech show where we explore the world of accessible technology with honesty, humour, and heart. Jeff Overmars, new podcaster, public sector communications and policy strategist with more than eighteen years of experience advancing human rights, accessibility, and public engagement in Nova Scotia.

Tickets are available now, with limited seating for this exclusive event. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit https://www.echopodcastsummit.com/