MUSIC CONFERENCES/TRADE SHOWS

Music conferences and trade shows are wonderful places to network and meet like-minded people. Most offer opportunities to showcase new music. Here's a list of some of the most popular ones. Check the Billboard calendar section regularly to find others. You can check my main website for my seminars. Many of the songwriter organizations have free events throughout the year. Check their websites.

AES (AUDIO ENGINEERING SOCIETY) CONVENTION
http://www.aes.org
Convention & exhibition for professional audio manufacturers and engineers; in New York or Los Angeles

Americana Music Conference
Nashville, TN
http://www.americanamusic.org/php/index.php?content=conference
Specifically geared to Americana music industry professionals and artists

BILLBOARD/AURN R&B HIP HOP CONFERENCE
BILLBOARD DANCE MUSIC SUMMIT
BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC CONFERENCE
http://www.billboardevents.com

ATLANTIS MUSIC CONFERENCE
Marietta, GA
http://www.atlantismusic.com
Showcasing and panels

CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK
Mississauga, ON Canada
http://www.cmw.net
Conference and music festival

CMJ MUSIC MARATHON
New York, NY
http://www.cmj.com
Alternative music convention/college radio; in New York City in the fall

CUTTING EDGE MUSIC CONFERENCE
New Orleans, Louisiana
http://www.jass.com/cuttingedge
Trade show, panels, and showcases; in August

DEWEY BEACH MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL
http://www.deweybeachfest.com
A weekend of teaching, learning, listening, performing and meeting others

DFEST
http://www.dfest.com/
Dfest stands for Diversafest - they integrate a diversity of music genres into a conference with industry panels and a music festival at night in Tulsa, OK.

FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
http://www.folkalliance.net/conference/index.php
In a different city each year

IAJE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
(International Association of Jazz Educators)
http://www.iaje.org
A gathering of jazz music educators, musicians, students and industry people

IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS
International Bluegrass Music Association
Nashville, TN
http://www.ibma.org/
seminars, trade show, and showcases

INTERNATIONAL DJ EXPO
http://www.djtimes.com/djexpo
For club owners, club/radio/mobile DJs in Atlantic City in August

LAMC (Latin American MUSIC CONFERENCE)
http://www.latinalternative.com
Geared towards the marketing of Spanish-language alternative music

MID-ATLANTIC MUSIC CONFERENCE
http://www.midatlanticmusic.com
Networking, panels, and showcasing

MIDEM
http://www.midem.com
International licensing/publishing/ distribution; held in January at Cannes, France

MIDWEST MUSIC SUMMIT
Indianapolis, IN
http://www.midwestmusicsummit.com
Showcase, panels and mentoring opportunities

MILLENIUM MUSIC CONFERENCE
Harrisburg, PA
http://www.musicconference.net
Rock 'n' Roll showcases and a symposium with panels, workshops, clinics and trade show.

MOBFEST
Chicago, IL
http://www.chicagomobfest.com
Networking, panels, showcases, demo listening panel

MOTOR CITY MUSIC CONFERENCE
Detroit, MI
http://motorcitymusic.com

NEMO
Boston, MA
http://www.nemoboston.com/
Showcase and conference

NEW MUSIC WEST
Vancouver, BC Canada
http://www.newmusicwest.com
Live music festival and conference

NORTH BY NORTHEAST
Toronto, Ontario   Canada
http://www.nxne.com
Showcases, panels, and trade show; in Portland, Oregon

POPKOMM
Berlin, Germany
http://www.popkomm.de
International conference and extensive music showcase

ROCKRGRL MUSIC CONFERENCE
Seattle, WA
http://www.rockrgrl.com/contests.php
showcases by many female performers and more

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)
Austin, TX
http://www.sxsw.com
Seminar and showcasing event for industry and independent artists; in March

TEXAS SUMMER MUSIC CONFERENCE
Dallas, TX
http://www.texassummermusicconference.com

WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE
http://www.wmcon.com
Industry conference featuring dance music and rap; held in the Miami area