Conferences I'll be attending in early 2009
2009-01-09
Conferences I'll be attending in early 2009: (click each for more info)
If you're also going to any of these, please email me at derek@sivers.org. I tend to be a social butterfly at these things, so instead of scheduled meetings, I prefer to just talk in the halls when we're both free. I'm usually pretty easy to find, and will be checking email and Twitter for meetups.
- MIDEM - January 16-21 in Cannes, France
- I've been to MIDEM once before a few years ago and didn't like it. Full of old suits, talking “product” and “content”. Too disconnected from musicians. But I'm going again to give it another shot. No agenda - just open eyes and ears, there to learn, and get to know people.
- Smithsonian 2.0 - January 23-24 in Washington DC
- I'm on the advisory board of Smithsonian/Folkways, and this is “A Gathering to Re-Imagine the Smithsonian in the Digital Age.” Sorry it's a closed event, but if there's something you want me to bring up there, please let me know.
- TED - February 3-7 in Long Beach, California
- Going to TED is a dream of mine. It sells out fast, it's crazy expensive, and you need to apply with references like 10 months in advance. So 11 months ago, I did. And I'm so psyched to go. Watch videos of past talks at ted.com
- Future Of Music - February 11-12 in Washington DC
- I'm on the Board of Directors for this great organization that is constantly working on policy change to help musicians earn a living. I highly recommend anyone interested in musicians' issues in the courts, Congress, FCC, or Copyright office attend this one-day Policy Day event on Feb 11.
- Folk Alliance - February 18-22 in Memphis Tennessee
- I love Folk Alliance. This is like no other conference. There are hundreds of showcases, because the event takes over many full floors of the hotel, with musicians playing in every room. Yes, in the little hotel rooms. You sit on the bed or squat on the floor and listen to amazing musicians in the most intimate environment. It's such a friendly environment and everyone is so approachable, including many booking agents, venue owners, radio DJs, and anyone connected to the folk music industry.
- ETech - March 9-12 in San Jose California
- Not music, just geeky tech. I've had friends rave about this for years, so I'm going for the first time.
- South by Southwest - March 13-22 in Austin Texas
- Yep: 10 whole days of meeting people in Austin. Daunting. Overwhelming. Love/Hate. I haven't been in a few years, so I'm going to go with an open mind, meet a ton of people, and report back on everything here, sharing everything I learn.
- ASCAP Expo - April 23-25 in Los Angeles
- I went for the first time last year, and was really impressed. Good panels, good exhibitors, good location. I can wholeheartedly recommend this one.
- MUSEXPO - April 26-29 in Los Angeles
- An all-around great conference especially because it has such an international focus. A great balance of industry and artists (not too many of either). Many from Australia, Scandinavia, UK. I can wholeheartedly recommend this one, too. Doing both ASCAP and MUSEXPO in one trip would be 6 days well-spent.
- TED Global - July 21-24 in Oxford England
- Already explained I'm psyched about TED, so I want more more more! As a kid, I used to live in Abingdon, the next town over, so I'll get to go see my old childhood house.
Bad, but we won't see. No time & no extra money. But for sure you will report us the benifits as ever.
thanks alot in advice
greetz
Oooh I'm the first to comment. Very exciting!
How funny that you posted this because I was just wondering which 9 you were going to myself...
That's so great your going to TED! Can't wait to hear the report back on that one. And the others too of course.
Wow! Packed schedule of awesome travel and geeky fun. I'm jealous! I'm gonna try to go to the SXSW Interactive again this year and will probably stay for a bit more Music this time. If I can afford to go, I'll definitely hit you up. Have fun!
Hi Derek.
While at MIDM look for anything to do with Ray Stevens and talk to Mike Shepherd. He's an "old suit" but with great marketing skills in the new world.
See ya!
Jim
I'll be at the ASCAP one! Hope to meet you in person. I will shoot you an email closer to the conference dates
cool--we'll see you at Folk Alliance, maybe? I have a ton of amazing people lined up to play in our room ("Musical Chairs", don't have number yet...)
travel well!
yoder :]
soooooo envious you're going to TED!! i'm terribly obsessed. 2010 baby!
Derek, are you going to TED LB or PS? Hope to see you there.
Long Beach. See you there! - Derek
wow, how amazing to be going to so many conferences! the folk alliance sounds especially awesome.
I'd love to come to at least one of them but I'll be in Australia. If you go to any out there, let me know and I'll see if I'm about.
Maybe I will finally get a chance to meet you. I will be playing at 2 of those conferences.
Folk Alliance and SXSW
Folk Alliance is terrific fun, and I'm looking forward to unexpectedly bumping into you somewhere...
Great conferences. Does anybody know of a list of conferences. I'd love to know if there are any closer to where I live.
Yes, I will be attending a few of these my self. Look forward to seeing you. Also, Happy New Year
Sorry wont be able to be overseas.
when and if are you coming to
Australia? or shall we meet in
not the near distant future
for me overseas?
hi derek, thanks for your email. just to let you know a producer will promote me to losengel in april --may. not ready yet. but there will be a chance there. can you help? -----wing
hi derek, can youhelp the producerto produce me to losengel ?might be i suggesting to come at the time you schedule between 23-29/ april/09? it that a good time.? can you suggest any venue? i like to sing on the stage in a theatre holding 1000-2000 people.if possible.i got great success in sanfransico in nye/08. looking forward to hear from you.----wing
Derek,sounds like you are a real busy guy,I would love to meet you at one of the conferences sometime,dont think I can make any of these at this point but thank you for letting me know and I will try to in the future,please keep me posted.....regards....Wes
Sat-Nam,Derek,thanks for sharing.Hope all moves smoothly for you.*Re..Smithsonian/Folkways,I've been trying to find an LP put out by National Geographic[1972?] on which I am Playing (the Mighty Sparrow's..'Queen Of The Band'), with joint-champions:- 'Starlift Steel Orchestra'@ the 1971 National Steelband Finals(Rep Of Trinidad & Tobago).Please check if there.*Also..Afrika Heartbeat's CD:-Ijinle Ilu/Original Drum,will be excellent for Smithsonian;Sikiru vocalizes his father's[now an Ancestor]'Drum-Talk'! Giovanni Hidalgo[Puerto Rico] & I ,add Caribbean retentions of said Afrikan Tradition.Ase!One Love! Val.
Go DEREK STAND IN FOR ME! ALL THE BEST TO YOU!
Thanks, Derek, for your ever-increasing involvement! You have a very busy schedule but it looks fun and I appreciate all your continued efforts on behalf of musicians. Thanks for keeping us informed and for keeping our interests in mind. You GO, Man!
Go with God. What you do for music and musicians is true dedication.
I have nothing but extreme admiration for one so committed to the art.
Have Fun, I look forward to hearing all about it.
A great great interview Derek. I changed around my email signature after reading it and... just some great advice.
I also wanted to recommend a site called www.48days.com. I think it would help a tremendous amount of independent artists. Check it out. Ok?
Thanks for sharing.
Jared Matthew Kessler
(Author of "The Poet and the Billionaire")
you're the best Derek.. Thanks for the great information and your style in sharing.. hope to catch up with you in one of these!
Howdie from Long Beach!
Hey Derek!
It`s so GREAT !!!
I wish you good luck, fun, and safe trips.
I have to think about some of this meetings...
I'll be at the ASCAP Expo so perhaps I'll see you there! Hope you've been doing well!