Salem To Host Independent, Artist, Creatives Business Summit

SALEM, MA — A three-day summit designed to bring together independent, artistic and creative business owners is coming to downtown Salem this spring.

The GRAYSCALE summit is set for March 31 through April 2 at Cinema Salem with local after-hours gatherings and networking opportunities at area small breweries and restaurants, including Notch Brewing and Legion.

Organized by Amber Newberry and the Die With Your Boots On team, the summit features more than 25 panels, Q&A sessions, and keynote events across two theaters.

GRAYSCALE was launched last year with the idea that current challenges "demand fresh energy" and is built for business owners and artists who have "always felt like outsiders at traditional business events."

The summit welcomes indie retailers, online shop owners, in-person vendors, artists, influencers, content creators, boutique managers, and service providers.

"The landscape of Main Street is changing," said Newberry, founder of Die With Your Boots On and organizer of GRAYSCALE. "Let's give it tattoos and a few piercings while we're at it."

The summit is backed by Diamond Sponsors Creative Collective MA and Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, along with Obsidian, Onyx, Jet, and Event-level sponsors representing recognized independent brands on the North Shore.

Creative Collective will participate as a panelist in "The Rise, Rebirth, and Revitalization of Main Street Brick & Mortar," a Day 1 session exploring how modern Main Streets have evolved alongside Millennial and Gen Z consumers.

The panel features Salem Main Streets, Copper Dog Books, and The Castle.

There will also be sessions on using TikTok as a sales platform, queer culture in business, tattoo entrepreneurship, photography and video in the age of algorithms, sustainability, marketing, and content creation strategy.

"The Salem Roundup" session will also gather owners of downtown Salem shops, including Die With Your Boots On, Witch City Wicks, Nocturne, and VampFangs/Velvet & Vein for a candid Q&A.

Attendees traveling to Salem are encouraged to extend their stay through the weekend of April 3–4 for additional community events.

Three-day passes are currently available for $125.