Networking events in the music business are some of the most important events for folks in this industry to attend. They are typically the best place to gain additional contacts, set up meetings, and potentially meet new artists and industry leaders. These are also ideal places to mingle with consistent clients and discuss future business. There are a number that happen annually around the world, with many taking place as an addition to a festival or series of associated events. In my line of work I often get asked which are my favorites to attend. So below I’ve listed my top three favorite networking events to attend in no specific order for todays “Behind the Agents Desk” series.
Winter Music Conference / Miami Music Week – Winter Music Conference / Miami Music Week typically happens the final week of March annually throughout beautiful Miami. The event features a great mix between business opportunities, various meeting locations throughout Miami, functions at hotels, and the Winter Music Conference itself. The conference features guest speakers throughout the week, workshops, and other educational activities that are typically held at the Miami Convention Center. These conference rooms can provide a great place for meetings with key industry leaders. Aside from the meeting opportunities, there are a number of DJ driven parties going on at venues all over Miami and South Beach featuring some of Dance Music’s biggest names. The week concludes with the famed Ultra Music Festival, which has traditionally been held at Bayfront Park. The festival draws thousands to Miami every year. WMC / Miami Music Week has long since been recognized as America’s top dance music networking event and is certainly one of my absolute favorites.
Amsterdam Dance Event – ADE is another major networking event and is also often recognized as one of the top Dance Music networking event in the world. The event lasts over an entire week in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. It is held at venues throughout the city, from conference rooms to Dance Clubs. When attending ADE you really feel as if the event takes over the entire city itself. ADE draws thousands of DJs, Fans, and Industry leaders from around the world yearly. With likely the best organization for networking of any event, ADE has a clear direction of business first in mind as the club / nightclub events are more secondary then that of Miami Music Week.
EDC – Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is well known as one of the premier Festival Events in America. However as a secondary effect to being one of the biggest festivals in the world it also provides great opportunity for networking as many of the top industry leaders are in attendance. Although the networking aspect of this Festival is a bit more informal (with a brief formality in 2015 when Insomniac rolled out the EDM Biz concept) much business can still be done at the many hotel lobbies, conference room settings and dinning venues Vegas has to offer. EDC possesses one of the best industry hospitality areas of any festival at that selected venue. A great location to mingle with industry leaders, and DJs alike. This event clearly has more of a party focus but still lands itself as one of my top 3 favorites.
Troy Gilmore
Vice President, Agent
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