List of Foreign Music Conferences

If you've read my hitsamillion.blogspot.com blog, then you know that I'm a big advocate of attending music conferences, seminars, open mics, and talent showcases. So it should come as no big surprise that I'd also recommend as a third step in addition to buying some of the recommended books, and networking online, that you attend an international music conference.

Here's a list of some of the international music conferences that will help you network, get noticed, expand your music career, and be informed:

1. Winter Music Conference: In its 23rd year, WMC is regarded as the singular networking event in the dance music industry, attracting professionals from over 62 different countries. With its high concentration of top international artists, DJs and industry professionals, WMC permeates the international press and is thereby one of the most publicized events in the business. Every aspect of the industry is represented including the top technological innovators, artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors, audio manufacturers and many more. WMC offers endless opportunities for DJs and artists to network and have their music heard by an international audience of music industry professionals. The Demo Listening Workshops, CD compilation, DJ & performance stages, DJ Spin Off and a host of other performance events, showcases and release parties throughout the week, provide limitless opportunities for innovative DJs and artists to break out of the box. Venues throughout Miami feature a non-stop schedule of nighttime events showcasing legendary artists and DJs from all over the world. WMC also presents the International Dance Music Awards, revered as the premier annual awards event for the dance and electronic music industry. For more information, go to wintermusicconference.com


2. Midem - At this year's conference, Midem was able to put attendees in direct contact with nearly 10,000 music and technology professionals from over 90 different countries. Delegates from the recording, publishing, live, digital, mobile and branding sectors gathered in Cannes to do deals, network, learn and check out new talent. This conference is held in January. For more information, go to midem.com


3. SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE - The SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE showcases hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. By day, conference registrants do business in the SXSW Trade Show in the Austin Convention Center and partake of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature. The SXSW INTERACTIVE FESTIVAL celebrates the creativity and passion behind the coolest new media technologies. In addition to panel sessions that cover everything from web design to bootstrapping to social networks, attendees make new business connections at the three-day Trade Show & Exhibition. The newest element of the event is ScreenBurn, which adds specific gaming industry programming as well as a two-day Arcade to the mix. The SXSW FILM CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL emphasizes all aspects of the art and business of independent filmmaking. The Festival has gained international acclaim for the quality of its programming with a special focus on emerging talents who benefit from having their films in the company of the cinematic greats whose work is regularly presented. SXSW now has offices in Ireland, Germany, Australia and Japan who help bring SXSW registrants to Austin

4. International Folk Alliance Conference - With over 2000 members worldwide and an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America, Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature while providing a unique range of member services to the community. Over the years, Folk Alliance has grown to include record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, manufacturers and artists that work in the folk world. Folk Alliance has six regional affiliates that provide the grass roots efforts in their respective markets. For more information, go to folk.org