by Adelie Salagnac
Get ready for two days of music business and three nights of fantastic music with the 20th Annual Millennium Music Conference.
“Bringing together musicians, especially emerging talents, so they can network and meet industry professionals that can help them advance their careers” is the motto of John Harris, executive director of the Millennium Music Conference.
The eventtakes place from February 18th to February 21st. For the 20th year, hundreds of up-and-coming acts and music professionals will gather in and around Harrisburg for a weekend of panels, clinics, workshops, networking, day stages, mentoring, demo listening and trade shows.
“It is a place where musicians can meet and network,” says Harris. “Not only with other musicians, but also with the music industry professionals, publicists, publishers, managers, and agents to help them advance their careers.”
Established in 1997, the Millennium Music Conference has become one the biggest music event on the East Coast, educating and showcasing thousands of independent acts, including Godsmack, Good Charlotte, Ryan Bingham, Framing Hanley, Halestorm, Fuel, and many many more.
“Not too many things last twenty years,” admits Harris. “The Millennium Music Conference is a brand by now.”
Looking back on those 20 years, Harris realizes they have come a long way since the first conference, in 1997: “The first conference had about 100 bands in 11 venues. Now we have 300 acts in our 30 venues.”
Harris also remembers how different things were back then. Hard to believe that, while everything’s done virtually now, bands were still sending cassettes in the mail if they wanted to participate in the showcase! “The conference has evolved just like the industry has evolved. Over those 20 years, the music industry has certainly changed, the parameters have changed.”
The Millennium Music Conference has provided music professionals fantastic opportunities and even better music for 20 years now, helping artists get from their basement to the spotlight. Here’s to 20 years more.
What: The 20th Annual Millennium Music Conference
When: February 18th – 21st
Where: Best Western Premier, Harrisburg will be the host hotel and conference center. A full list of performance venues can be found here. A handy spreadsheet of performers, where they are from, and the venue they will be at during the conference can also be checked out here.
More info available at: http://www.musicconference.net/
