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!
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, tattoo artists/shops, service providers, anyone looking to make connections with like-minded professionals.
PLEASE NOTE: Early bird pricing ends late-November 2026!!!

EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

PLEASE NOTE: Early bird pricing ends late-November 2026!!! 

2027 Full Schedule TBA!

APRIL 5th- VIP Only Kickoff w/ Creative Collective (VIP access only)

APRIL 6th- Day one of panels and workshops + after hours networking

APRIL 7th- Day two of panels and workshops + after hours networking

APRIL 8th- Day three of panels and workshops + after hours networking

APRIL 9th- Additional programming and Grayscale Midnight Moon Market (vendor applications open in early 2027)

SOME OF THE POGRAMMING PLANNED FOR 2027 INCLUDES:

More Q&A sessions with successful goth/alt business owners (Lindsay from Foxblood, Liz from Witch City Wicks, Amber from Die With Your Boots On, and more we can't talk about, yet!)

Q & A: One Star! What to do when you get poor reviews or customer comments & how to survive them

PANEL: Making It Up As We Go! Cosmetics and the alternative audience

WORKSHOP: How to S.W.O.T. and strategize for your brand

PANEL: Duets! Collaborations & Licensing and how to get the most of partnerships!

NETWORKING: Niche and Industry meetups + evening networking out and about in Salem

PANEL: Is It Dead Yet? Email and SMS Marketing Strategy

PANEL: Reel Them In! Editing video for converting and retaining customers

Q & A: Wholly Shit! All of the shit you need to know about wholesale

More info TBA, stay tuned for details about special appearances, amazing speakers, and additional programming!

The Grayscale Indie Business Summit is an assortment of events that will take place in downtown Salem. The core event programming (4/6, 4/7, & 4/8) take place at CinemaSalem. The business expo will be across the street in the Die With Your Boots On office building. Networking events and VIP kickoff will happen at different businesses throughout downtown Salem. All events will take place within walking range of eachother. The Grayscale Midnight Moon Market will happen at the historic Old Town Hall as the finale event on Friday night (and it will be open to the public).

Email AMBER@DIEWITHYOURBOOTSON.COM to open a conversation about how you can sponsor for 2027! There are some new ways to sponsor, so please read on. We are happy to answer questions you might have! More details coming soon!

• Black Diamond- $10,000
  Includes 10 passes
  Full page ad in program
  table at expo
  1 spot at the Friday night market in a prominent location
  logo on sponsor graphic
  Short optional speaking slot (5 to 10 mins) 
  VIP bag
  
• Diamond- $5000 
  Includes 8 passes
  Full page ad in program
  table at expo
  logo on sponsor graphic
  Short optional speaking slot (5 to 10 mins)
  VIP bag 
• Tourmaline- $3000 
  Includes 6 passes
  1/2 page ad in program
  table at expo
  logo on sponsor graphic
  Short optional speaking slot (5 to 10 mins) 
  VIP bag
• Obsidian- $2000 
  Includes 6 passes
  1/2 page ad in program
  table at expo
  logo on sponsor graphic
  VIP bag
• Onyx- $1000 
  Includes 4 passes
  1/4th page ad in program
  table at expo
  logo on sponsor graphic
  VIP bag
• Jet- $500 
  Includes 2 passes
  1/8th page ad in program
  table at expo
  logo on sponsor graphic
  VIP bag
• Support Sponsor- $250 
  Includes 1 pass
  text only listing on sponsor page in program

OTHER WAYS TO SPONSOR:

• Sponsor a speaker/guest to host a keynote and/or Q&A (cover cost of flights and hotels for these out of town speakers for prime slots in programming)
• Award Sponsor: this year, we are adding annual awards to Grayscale (full details TBA)
• Media Sponsor: Event photography or photography offers to attendees
• Offer your space as a networking location (details tba)
• Provide coffee and pastries in the mornings or drinks/snacks at evening events
• Lunch sponsor (provide lunch for attendees during midday breaks)
• Extended programming (guided tours of your business on Monday and/or Friday during the day for educational purposes, these will be scheduled in advance with limited slots available for each one)
  
• Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, etc offering discounts to attendees