Here is a partial list music conferences offered in North America
SXSW
Austin, TX • March
It is almost impossible to encapsulate the beast that is South by South West into a few words. With over 30 years of expertise and traction, this is the THE event to attend if you’re looking for what is on the horizon in the Music Industry. With startup competitions, performances, and an abundance of music industry professionals, the opportunities for relationship-building are endless here.
Winter Music Conference
Miami Beach, FL • March
Celebrating its 35th year, Winter Music Conference is the longest-running festival of its kind. This year, they are rolling out a new feature called “Signed On The Spot,” where selected artists will have the opportunity to play their music for record labels in person and potentially sign a deal. Including a bunch of other panels and opportunities to learn from the best in the business, this is another wonderful opportunity to grow your network.
MUSEXPO
Hollywood, CA • March
This event offers an in-depth analysis of the global music landscape from leading executives and innovators across all facets of the industry. As far as music conferences go this is our favorite for all things broadcasting and synchronization. MUSEXPO provides insights and opportunities through their panels and lectures focused on worldwide synch business including film, TV, gaming, advertising and brand partnerships.
North American Music Conferences On Video Game Music
Different University Each Year • March
This conference takes place at a university each year and is known for taking a deep dive into video game music – composition, user experience and tech. If you’re interested in all things video games and video game composition this is THE music festival for you.
LAUNCH Music Conferences & Festival
Lancaster, PA • Dallas, TX
In its 12th year, this music conference and festival features a schedule packed full of panels, workshops, one-on-one mentor sessions, and performances, the Conference portion of LAUNCH provides a unique opportunity for artists, music industry professionals and fans to meet, network and further their careers from the up-and-coming artist to the seasoned music industry veteran. The festival portion features music of all genres and artists of all levels. This festival prides itself on affordability and as an extra bonus, any band or artist who submits to play are allowed to attend for free regardless of whether they get chosen for a slot or not!
Music Biz Conference
Nashville, TN • May
The Music Business Association’s conference brings together global power players and industry enthusiasts committed to the future of music monetization for 100+ panels, presentations, workshops, private meetings, cocktail parties, live music, and more. They offer panels that break down the latest news in the music business, all while teaching you how to apply it to your personal brand. As always, it is an amazing opportunity to connect with industry personnel and artists alike to expand your network and your brand.
Canadian Music Week
Toronto, Canada • May
Canadian Music Week (or CMW, as many refer to it) is an industry conference and music festival held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This conference-leading annual entertainment event is dedicated to the expression and growth of Canada’s music, media, and entertainment industries. It has an amazing number of panels, keynotes, and showcases. The summit will take place from the 20th to the 22nd, but other music events will be going on all week.
Make Music New York
All Over New York City, NY • June
Every June is New York Music Month, the official New York City celebration of the most diverse music scene in the world. The annual conference presented by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, NY is Music, and the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program is a key component of the month. There are tons of free workshops panels, and masterclasses throughout the city. Make sure to check their site every so often to remain up to date on this amazing event!
SyncSummit
Nashville, TN • New York City, NY Los Angeles, CA •
SyncSummits consistently brings together the top executives in the sync market for discussion, networking, and dealmaking. You get access to the email addresses of all attendees before, during, and after the event, which is fantastic just in case you happen to lose a business card. These music conferences are intimate enough not to overwhelm and informative enough that you walk away with a new outlook on how to approach Synch licensing. The best part? It takes place in three cities, so you can go to the most convenient one!
Latin Alternative Music Conferences
New York City, NY • July
LAMC has been around for almost 20 years, creating a platform for independent Latin musicians to connect and learn about the industry. With live performances, a series of panels, concerts, and exhibitions, it is designed to highlight emerging Latin artists working outside the mainstream.
AmericanaFest
Nashville, TN • September
The Americana Festival and Conference features over 500 live performances in venues all over Nashville. The conference comprises numerous panels, seminars, and exclusive daytime performances. Americanafest proudly provides Nashville’s most educational music industry forum. This special event covers the interests and needs of artists, managers, labels, radio stations, publishers, and many other industry personnel. This is one of the music conferences enthusiastically attended and presented by music industry leaders.
Mondo NYC
Brooklyn • October 13-16
Mondo.NYC, a Global Business Summit and Music Festival, announces its fifth annual four-day event. Mondo.NYC, headquartered in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is an incubator for the music and tech industries and by night, it’s a platform for emerging artists from around the globe performing at New York’s premier independent venues. Join professionals, artists and festival-goers for an enriching experience for fans and creators who share a mission of empowering artists and advancing ideas in ever-changing music and technology businesses.
Women In Music
Industry Panels, Networking Events & Parties • All Year Long
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, Nashville, NYC, and more!
Though Women In Music is technically not a music conference, we highly recommend joining. It is an incredible organization with a mission to advance awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts. They do this through education, support, empowerment, and recognition. They host events all over the country all year long! Their seminars, panels, showcases, achievement awards, and youth initiatives celebrate the female contribution to the music world and strengthen community ties. Keep an eye on their calendar for events in your area. Despite its name, you do not have to be a woman to join!
The sheer volume of music industry events worldwide is growing exponentially every year. We encourage you to find at least one that fits your needs. We hope this list narrowed down your search for music conferences best suited for learning and growing in this industry. If you don’t see your favorite on our list, leave it in the comments!
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