When it comes to the music industry , one of the best across-the-board crash courses is to attend a music conference or festival with an educational component . These typically include a mix of panels on a variety of topics , workshops , networking events , and live music showcases ranging from one to multiple days .
Whether you ’ re a solo emerging artist or established musician speaking on a panel yourself , there ’ s a wealth of knowledge available for those willing to learn . Canadian Musician spoke to leading experts on music conferences to help you with the next one you attend . And hey , if you ’ ve never attended , consider this your insider ’ s guide to how to make your first conference rock !
SET REALISTIC GOALS
Whether you ’ ve spent a couple hundred dollars or several dozen hours perfecting your Sonicbids application to be invited to perform and the industry conference pass is an added bonus , you need to have an idea of what you ’ re getting into . Conferences like Canadian Music Week or Pop Montreal can be hectic , frenzied events with little sleep , so it ’ s important to outline goals ahead of attending .
“ An artist should have a clear focus in mind for what they want to achieve ,” says BreakOut West Conference Manager Roland Deschambault . “ You want an idea of why you ’ re going , especially as an artist who is not showcasing that year .”
These goals could be along the lines of learning how festival programmers book bands , understanding streaming revenues , or adding new team members .
If you ’ ve never attended a conference , Deschambault suggests attending smaller , oneoff panels to give you confidence and a better understanding on how they work . “ Music industry associations like Manitoba Music or Music Ontario are great places to start your conference prep ,” he says .
Conferences are meant for artists and industry of all levels to learn together . Think of them as “ opportunities to learn more about the music business and ways to empower yourself with knowledge to better understand what is necessary to make your career successful ,” says label manager Sean Ramesbottom of Pirates Blend ( A Tribe Called Red , Young Empires ). That said , be realistic . “ Not every word spoken is meant to cater to you or your specific career ,” he adds . “ And just meeting ‘ industry professionals ’ at conference events will not get you or your band signed .”
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While you ’ re still at home , your advance preparation should include creating new cards or promotional materials printed with links to your music and accurate contact information . Book your rooms ( or couches ) at least two months in advance . Dig out a bag big enough to stash some granola bars and bottles of water and pack your pen and notebook .
PLAN AHEAD
Dedicate time to research the speakers and conference topics to determine which ones are most relevant to your pre-established goals , like finding a booking agent or inviting them to your showcase . “ Make a hit list so you can maximize all of the amazing networking opportunities ,” says Danya Dixon , VP of programming at Canadian Music Week . “ CMW has a jam-packed schedule so make the most of your time by having an action plan .”
Conference schedules and details are usually released a few weeks to several months in advance . Jot down the times and locations of panels that are of interest to you as soon as the schedule is released as there may be RSVP requirements or extra fees for some .
If you ’ re from out of town , arrive a day early to scope out the areas surrounding the conference venue and familiarize yourself with the city . Note any nearby coffee shops or spaces for impromptu meetings . A lot of industry mixers and networking parties happen the day before the conference starts , so start following the hashtags the week of the conference .
Choosing panels depends on what you want to learn . “ We have to keep up with the sizzling topics that everyone asks for , including ticketing , the economics of touring , how to get booked , funding , making your festival a safe space , and enhancing the live fan experience ,” says Dixon .
So , if you plop yourself down for 45 minutes at a panel , you ’ ll learn everything about a certain subject from the experts , right ? Wrong . “ I ’ m amazed how little I know ,” says publicist Eric Alper on what he learns attending conferences – even though he regularly moderates and speaks on panels himself . “ I ’ ve always got my curious antenna up .”
AT THE CONFERENCE
Just walking into the conference can be intimidating . “ You walk down the hallway and you run into everyone – old friends , colleagues … People stop you and all say , ‘ Hey , come to my showcase ! Come to my showcase !’” says Alper , describing how difficult it is to talk to people over people
Oak Recording Studio ’ s Damon de Szegheo
bombarding you with show flyers , live music blasting , and booth representatives calling to you with the latest music innovations .
Stick to your goals . “ If you ’ re a band and you ’ ve got 500 of the biggest people in the music industry all in one room , you ’ ve got to really target who you want to go after or else it ’ s just like going to a supermarket hungry and you have no idea how much money you have to spend or what to buy ,” says Alper .
Politeness goes a long way . If you ’ re pushy , inarticulate , or just not prepared , you ’ re not going to get much out of it . Keep your social media up to date with all the conference fun and don ’ t be bashful about talking to other attendees . A lot of them are in the same position as you !
ATTEND PANELS YOU MAY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT