Conference Schedule

Friday June 21

at Greater Wichita Partnership

10:45 AM

1-On-1 Meetings

at Norton's Brewery

11:30 AM

Finding Your Own Path in the Industry

First you write a song, then you record it, then you give the masters and publishing rights to someone else... or do you? More options exist now than ever to maintain ownership, creative control, and direct contact with both fans and business contacts. These people have the insight on what's working for them and where they see the opportunities to push further.

Moderator:
Eric McLellan (Yo Peep This)
Speakers:
Danielle Lande (Queersound)
Alyse Velturo (Pronoun/The Orchard)
Gooding (Independent Artist)

1:30 PM

Support Your Local Music Factory

Music and arts aren't just entertaining, they're also crucial to building a strong local economy. Local governments and organizations are finding new ways to involve the arts in long-term development plans, and not all of it is visible.

Moderator:
Carmen Davis - Director of Culture and Arts in Chatanooga
Speakers:
Christina Long (Create Campaign)
Julia Heath (Policy & Outreach Manager - Mayor's Office of Nighttime Economy. City of New Orleans)
Chris Cobb (Bonafide Live / NIVA)

2:30 PM

Killer Mike 1:1

Moderator:
Rudy Love Jr.
Speaker:
Killer Mike

2:30 PM

Creating a Fanbase out of Virality

Content you've posted has finally gained some virality. Great! Now it's on you to keep the momentum going to turn your new viewers into more longtime fans.

Moderator:
Blake Loggans (FLAKE)
Speakers:
Michael Palmisano (@guitargate on YouTube)
Michael Hardesty (Content Creator Strategist)
Ulf Oesterle (Aux Records / @seventypoint3 on TikTok)

4:15 PM

Balancing Yourself in an Unbalanced Industry

It's not so easy to take care of one's self while working in a demanding and draining music industry. Learn to identify issues before they become full-blown problems, and how to empower your colleagues to do the same.

Moderator:
Zach Ulrich (Production Manager @ Wave)
Speakers:
Brandon Pittman (Midtopia/Visual Artist/Musician)
Audrey Fix Schaefer (Director of Communications, I.M.P)
Scott Strode (The Phoenix)

Saturday June 22nd

at Greater Wichita Partnership

11:15 AM

Building a Partnership Proposal (Workshop)

Congratulations! A brand is interested in writing you a check to partner with you to help fund your project. However, they want to make sure they are getting the best bang for their buck before handing over the money. In this workshop, attendees will learn from and work with experts as well as each other to put together a partnership proposal that balances the wants of the brand with the integrity of the project.

Organizer:
Marauder
Speakers:
Gary Fortune (Mondo.NYC)
Kristin Owen (DoStuff)

11:15 AM

How to Talk About Yourself and Not Feel Weird Doing So (Workshop)

"Can you send over a bio when you get a chance?"—a simple request but often a daunting task. How does an artist talk about themselves? This workshop will help identify your own path to self-describe your art, which is an almost totally impossible thing to ask anyone to do!

Organizer:
Marauder
Speakers:
Lior Philips (Author/Journalist)
Hilary Saunders (No Depression)

at Norton's Brewery

1:30 PM

Utilizing Your Platform for Change

Regardless of one’s role in the music industry, there are ways to help address society’s greatest challenges. These individuals are using their expertise and networks to help better their communities – whether it’s part of their job description or not.

Moderator:
Colette Weintraub (Stand Together)
Speakers:
Hilary Saunders (No Depression)
Chad Houser (Café Momentum)
Chelle Love (Midtopia)

2:30 PM

Going on Your First Tour?

“Does anyone have a capo I can borrow?” — There are a lot of things, big and small, to stress about when an artist embarks on their first tour. Learn from those that have learned the hard way about advancing, backline, settling, couch surfing, and all of the other things you will need to know before booking your first out-of-town gigs.

Moderator:
Grace Blake (City Winery)

Speakers:
Jake Diamond (Union Stage)
Tobi Parks (xBk / DTour / NIVA)
Logan Bush (Social Cinema / Midtopia)

3:30 PM

Will Work for Music

You never get a second chance at getting your first job in the music industry. Challenges are discussed regarding paths to employment and what opportunities exist (or need to be created!) for aspiring professionals.

Moderator:
Sharon Tapper (Music Managers Forum)
Speakers:
Will Helms (The Joy of Violent Movement)
Jim Weatherson (Left Seat Management)

4:15 PM

There's No Place Like Home and We'll Prove It

Just because you want to control your own destiny doesn't mean you have to do it by yourself. Wichita's geographic isolation from the industry hubs means the opportunity exists to build something completely unique -- conceptualized, built, and run by locals for locals, yet competitive enough to draw attention from the coasts.

Moderator:
Marauder
Speakers:
Jessie Hartke (Midtopia)
Mari Crisler (Social Cinema, Midtopia)
Marrque Nunley (Rudy Love & The Encore, Midtopia)

Space is limited. Secure your spot today!

GET TICKETS