For many years I have attended booking conferences in the US and Europe. In the process of putting together a list of conferences for you (since fall is when they start hitting) I found that my Canadian friend Robert Baird with the Robert Baird Artists Agency has created two very good guides. So instead of revinventing the wheel I decided to list the links to his guides and site. Robert is a great source for all artists who travel with info on Visa's, Work Permits, and more. So if you contact him please let him know that I sent you. Along with this info I have more conferences listed that are not in Robert's lists but are important. Click on the BAM link to get Robert's guides. So is it worth it??? If you have cash flow and you do all of the things that an artist should do in preparing and especially if you can afford to showcase the YES it is worth it. SECOND OPTION - get an agent to represent you! but make sure you do your research to see if the agent is reputable. Also if the agent has a roster as long as your arm or they want money up front the avoid avoid. So have at it and good luck. I will have another post on booking yourself and how to find an agent. Stay tuned.
Robert Baird, President P.O. Box 597 Alliston, ON L9R 1V7 Canada
robert@bairdartists.com www.bairdartists.com 1-800-867-3281
A guide to performing arts conferences in the United States
A guide to performing arts conferences Internationally
More - Important Conferences: Click on Conference for link to site
Date: April 2025
Very large conference that has 8000 venues, agents, artists, promoters, etc with showcasing over 3 days in Bremen. I was the first American booth to present 10 years ago. A very hip hang lots of good networking.
Date:Â February 21-25
The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions).
The next conference takes place at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, you’ll experience showcases, panels, networking events and more, all surrounding and supporting Folk music.
Whether you’re ready to register to attend or want to read about the event, check this out to access all the resources you need.
Dates:Â March 8-15
SXSWÂ welcomes the future of this industry with open arms. Through workshops, mentor sessions, networking opportunities and more, this conference offers 10 days of unparalleled learning and networking.
Not to mention, the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and diverse people come together. SXSW is the perfect place to scout new artists, meet up with distributors and attend events highlighting the future of the industry and how it pertains to the landscape of your business.
Be sure to check out the SXSW Schedule for all confirmed programming including Keynotes & Featured Speakers and Sessions.
Ready to get involved? — Click here to register.
Date:Â March 2024
The Winter Music Conference is back and now stronger than ever with a renewed sense of purpose and direction under the umbrella of Miami Music Week, returning in March 2024 with insightful programming for music industry professionals and consumers.
Check out their website here to learn more.Â
Date: April 25 – 28
LAUNCH Music Conference is a developing artist music conference, taking place annually over three days and three nights. With a full daytime program and various showcases at night, attendees can expect 12+ hours of music education.
Learn more on their website right here.
Virtual: April 24th – 26thIn Person: July 9th – 13th
The LAMC, which spotlights Spanish-language alternative music — as well as exciting artists in rock, hip-hop, and electronic music — will return in virtual form April 24 to 26. If you’re interested in going in-person, they’re also hosting an in-person event on July 9-13 in New York City.
Both the virtual and in-person events will host panels, workshops, showcases, and networking opportunities for attendees. For those interested in the Latin music scene, this one’s for you.
Want in? — Learn more right here.
Date: May 13-16
After last year’s gathering of 2,100+ attendees from more than 800 companies across 30 countries, Music Biz is the place to be if you have a stake in the future of the music business. Whether you want to hear expert viewpoints on the latest trends & tech, to seek out new business partnerships, or to celebrate those who are innovating the ways our industry operates, you don’t want to miss this one in Nashville.
To learn more and/or register to attend, click here.Â
Date:Â June 1-8
Hosted at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, the Canadian Music Week Conference is still the premier annual music business and networking event in Canada. CMW is an annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries.
Registration isn’t quite open yet, but you can check out all the speakers and additional details for the event right here.Â
Date:Â June 10-13
A2IM Indie Week is the world largest independent music conference. It consists of a four-day international conference and networking event aimed at maximizing the global impact of Independent music. Featuring keynotes, panels, exclusive networking sessions, and more, Indie Week has historically drawn an attendance of over 1200 participants from over 30 countries.
Visit their website to learn more about A2IM right here.
Date:Â September 17-21
The 23nd annual AMERICANAFEST will take place September 17-21, gathering thousands of artists, fans, and industry professionals from all over the world in Nashville, TN. This year promises to once again be the must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana’s influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music.
Each year, this fest brings together legendary artists, the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for multiple days of music and education.
Whether you’re interested in playing the fest, attending the conference, want to volunteer, or any looking for any other type of involvement, click here.
Date:Â September 18-21
Taking place in September of 2024, Reeperbahn Festival is a German conference that offers industry representatives a programme of sessions, networking events, matchmaking events, showcases, meetings and award shows.
Talks, panels, keynotes, presentations, and workshops are all a part of the Reeperbahn Festival Conference programme. Top international speakers will address issues relevant to the music industry, its submarkets – recorded music, live entertainment, and publishing – and related sectors in the digital economy.
Want a ticket? Get yours right here.Â
Date: October 15-18
Mondo curates business content and great new music, uniting global music and tech business innovators and entrepreneurs — startups, legacy companies, media, academia and government — and helping shape the future of music and technology. At this year’s conference in October, you’ll experience panels, networking opportunities, live artist showcases, meet-ups, happy hours and so much more. If you’re looking for a great NYC music conference, you don’t want to miss this one.
To learn more about them or grab your ticket, visit their website right here.
Date:Â October 16-20
Going down in October from the 16th to the 20th, the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is one you don’t want to miss. It remains the most upfront, influential and educational gathering for electronic music and its industry.
With its conference, festival and educational breeding ground, ADE is able to create not only the biggest yearly industry tent-pole moment, but also a solid foundation for future generations of electronic music professionals. The event attracts a total of more than 1,000 events in nearly 200 locations across its multidisciplinary program; for five days and nights, the city of Amsterdam truly breathes electronic music.
To pre register for 2024 and stay up to date with any news and announcement concerning the event, click here.Â
Date: October 22-24
Tech-fueled earthquakes have been shaking the music industry for some time now, creating dramatic new landscapes—and opportunities to serve artists at the intersection of music, technology, and business. Music Tectonics, the brainchild of PR firm Rock Paper Scissors, explores this junction with a conference, podcast, and blog. Going down in Santa Monica, California, check it out in October from the 22nd – 24th. This year’s event is going to be bigger than ever!
Learn everything you need to know right here.Â
Date: October
The A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta, Georgia is a great event where you can network, learn, create, collaborate, and experiment with the latest hardware alongside hip-hop’s most influential music industry professionals and producers. This annual festival is a must-attend for any hip-hop enthusiast looking to stay ahead of the curve and immerse themselves in the vibrant hip-hop culture.
Although I don’t have an official date for 2024’s conference for you just yet, you can keep up to date on their website here.
Date: October 2024
Digilogue Days in a music and tech conference in Brooklyn, NY that lasts 2 days and is jam-packed with booths from Warner Music U, ONErpm, SoundCloud, the Orchard, Too Lost, Epidemic Sound, EVEN, Symphonic, Indie Flow, United Masters, and Creator SPC. Plus, you’ll experience useful services from industry professionals, photographers shooting headshots and artist photos, and one-on-one sessions with mentors to help guide budding artists.
No official date dropped just yet, but you can learn more about the conference on their website right here.
Date: November 12-14
Jump Global offers two full-days of panels, workshops, and community-building activities for music executives and professionals who want to grow and be more effective. The badass event provides tangible solutions, trainings, and takeaways for you to implement into your life and take back to the workplace, a must have for anyone looking to sharpen their skills. From mental health and wellness to leadership, financial literacy and so much more, this one has it all.
Learn everything you need to know on their website here.
Date:Â November 20-23
M for Montreal is an essential catalyst for the Quebec and Canadian music industry. It’s actually one of the most attended major events for the music industry in Canada. It also showcases a series of conferences that bring together local and international music industry pros while offering a rich program of talented musicians.
Get early bird tickets and learn more about them on their website.Â
January 18, 2024 - January 20, 2024 Palm Springs, California
For well over 20 years, the Live Production Summit (LPS), formerly known as Tour Link, has welcomed thousands of participants and partners to attend the premier conference for live events and entertainment production professionals. LPS encompasses all areas and functions of the touring and live events industries—including production management, technology, event design, travel & hospitality, logistics, safety, security, finance, health & wellness, diversity & inclusion, and much, much more.
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