Winter Music Conference

The Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music event, held every March since the mid-1980s in South Florida. It is aimed at professionals such as artists, DJs, record label representatives, producers, promoters, radio and the media. The event is attended by a who's who of the electronic music scene, and it is a sought-after place to network, premiere tracks and showcase skills. As such, the event has major international draw, with around 38% of attendees coming from outside the United States.

WMC was founded in 1985 by then DJs and Record Pool Directors Louis Possenti and Bill Kelly. The first Winter Music Conference took place at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott on February 19 - 21, 1986 with approximately 80 dance music industry insiders in attendance. The event moved to Miami Beach in 1991 and was considered a major catalyst in the establishment of the then burgeoning South Beach club scene.

The event is also considered a mecca for clubbers, who flock to attend non-stop parties with many of the world's most renowned DJs and artists. The festivities are presented across Miami Beach, and Downtown Miami. Events spill out of the clubs, with hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, and many private residences hosting parties. At the apex of the week is the International Dance Music Awards, the premier awards show for the dance and electronic music industry - which recognizes the yearly achievements of the best and most innovative artists, DJs, professionals and new technology in 50 different award categories.

WMC attracts over 3,500 music industry participants and more than 62,000 event participants from 70 countries. The 2008 WMC program included 537 events and 2,211 artist and DJ performances presented at 147 venues across 6 days in Miami and Miami Beach.

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References

* [http://www.wintermusicconference.com/events/idmas/winners2008.php 23rd Annual International Dance Music Awards Nominees & Winners]
* [http://www.wintermusicconference.com/about/ About WMC]
* [http://www.wintermusicconference.com/about/demog.htm WMC Demographics]

ee also

Ultra Music Festival

External links

* [http://www.wintermusicconference.com/ Winter Music Conference] (Official home page)
* [http://www.wmcstore.com/ WMC Store] (Official store page)
* [http://www.wmcstore.com/tlist/ The List] (Official Guide to Events in and Around WMC)