2025 was a tough year, let's get together and get organized and inspired together in 2026!
EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!
(Tickets go to $125 on March 1st!)
If you are an artist or indie business owner and you've always felt a little like the odd person out when it comes to business events and finding resources, GRAYSCALE is for you! We're inviting some of the weirdest, smartest people we know in business and the arts to speak, sit on panels, host classes, and inspire. The landscape of Main Street is changing, let's give it tattoos and a few piercings while we're at it. Registration is now open!
GRAYSCALE is an event for indie business owners, artists, and brands including: brick and mortar retailers, online shops, in-person vendors, artists, influencers/brands, shop/boutique managers, service providers, anyone looking to make connections with like-minded professionals.
Planned and organized by Amber Newberry and the Die With Your Boots On team.
Diamond Sponsors: Creative Collective MA and Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry
Further sponsorship & support opportunities available, contact amber@diewithyourbootson.com for details!
A SAMPLING OF THE PROGRAMMING: (Much more TBA!)
Q & A- Fuck It, We'll Do It Live: A QnA with FOXBLOOD & Die With Your Boots On about live selling and the rise of TikTok as a sales platform.
PANEL- Out of the Closet & Into the Media: Perspective on queer culture in business and marketing featuring Geya Jenda, Ash Nunez of Old Growth Alchemy,
PANEL- The Spitting Image: Photography & Video in the age of algorithms and overcoming AI
Q & A- Tough Skin: Tattoo Meets Boutique a QnA Session with our favorite tattoo entrepreneurs featuring artists from Grim North Tattoo, Hemlock Tattoo, Salem Ink
PANEL- The Rise, Rebirth, & Revitalization of Main Street Brick & Mortar: How the modern Main Street has evolved in the age of Millennial and Gen Z adulthood. Featuring Salem Main Streets, The Creative Collective, Copper Dog Books, The Castle
PANEL- Branding Without Compromise: Brand Identity and staying true to your vision without selling your soul to the capitalist monstrosity featuring Notch Brewing, Trued Apparel, Eternal October
PANEL- Rallying for Battle: Community outreach and fighting for what you believe in through art and business.
Q & A- The Salem Roundup: A Q & A w/ the owners of your favorite main street shops in downtown Salem featuring the owners of Die With Your Boots On, Nocturne, Vampfangs/Velvet & Vein and more!
If you are interested in being a panelist or a speaker, please contact amber@diewithyourbootson.com.
Panels, Q&A, and Keynotes will take place at Cinema Salem. There will be events in tandem held on Church Street and in other downtown Salem locations, as well.
PLUS: A Small Business Expo featuring resources and service providers and small business organizations, networking events throughout GRAYSCALE, & Keynotes. Complete programming TBA
We encourage the 3 day pass to ensure you have access to all the events you are excited for, currently in Early Bird status for $99 (goes to $125 next month). If you are traveling, we highly recommend extending your stay into the weekend to take advantage of the many weekend events happening April 3rd and 4th. We will soon be announcing a top secret DWYBO event for 4/3, and that evening is Vanta (a favorite local goth night).
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE LAYOUT (Subject to edits):
8am-10am daily- Optional Coffee & Networking or Chill workspace time
10am-1pm- First round of panels and Q&A sessions
1pm-2pm- Break for Lunch/Networking
2pm-5pm- Second round of panels and Q&A sessions
5:30/6pm-8pm- Optional After Hours Networking at Local Businesses (Locations TBA)
Business Expo will run from 10am-4pm daily as it is drop in and drop out
REGISTER NOW FOR AN EARLY BIRD 3-DAY PASS!
EMAIL AMBER@DIEWITHYOURBOOTSON.COM
FOR MORE INFO ON SPONSORSHIP!
