The 10 Best Music Conferences To Attend In 2024

DJs face intense competition from their peers, so staying ahead of the latest industry trends is vital for increasing your chances of landing your next gig.

The best music conferences allow DJs to tap into the minds of industry insiders and stay abreast of the technology and performance trends needed to succeed.

This guide covers ten of the most renowned conferences attended by music industry professionals that DJs can attend to forge new business partnerships.

The 10 Best Music Conferences To Attend In 2024

Whether you’re a dedicated club DJ playing the latest underground music or a professional corporate event DJ, music conferences have plenty to offer your career development.

We’ve selected ten high-profile conferences in the USA and beyond to help you build relationships with music industry leaders and dominate your field.

10. Eurosonic (ESNS)

15th to 18th January 2025 – Groningen, Netherlands

The Eurosonic conference, held annually in the Netherlands, is packed with keynote speakers and opportunities for DJs to advance their careers.

It covers all the core bases, with speeches covering everything from the science of DJing to insights into breaking into the recording industry.

In addition to insightful programming from music industry professionals, ESNS delivers a wealth of networking opportunities for DJs.

Figures from the leading music industry publications, including Pitchfork and Radio 1, are among the guests lined up for 2025’s conference.

The conference also includes many opportunities for DJs and producers to pitch their ideas for sessions and contribute actively to the conversations.

ESNS also offers a range of support programs, such as the ESNS Exchange, which connects artists directly with festival and other event organizers.

It’s a hugely popular music conference that looks set to build on the reputation established at last year’s gathering with new and exciting speakers and special events.

Find out more about ZIPDJ’s extensive music collection.

9. The NAMM Show

23rd to 25th January 2025 – California, USA

American DJs can attend an extensive range of music conferences nationwide to learn more about what makes the industry tick.

The NAMM Show, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, is one of the leading conferences in the industry today.

With many DJs struggling to pick up gigs, The NAMM Show has been set up to help them overcome these challenges and get their careers rolling.

This includes many experienced speakers sharing their insights into how to make money as a DJ and where the core opportunities lie.

The event features in-depth discussions with music producers and record label owners, which can be a great launch point for DJs looking to explore new opportunities.

Additional conference features include insights into setting DJ prices competitively and the latest trends in DJ technology to be aware of.

This includes representatives from many of the DJ industry’s leading brands, Pioneer, Allen and Heath, and Native Instruments, all attending the conference.

If you’re considering attending the NAMM Show, make sure you have an up-to-date DJ resume to hand out to professionals in the music business.

8. BPM Festival

8th to 12th January 2025 – Playa Avellana, Costa Rica

While many conferences for music industry professionals take place in the USA, the BPM Festival is set in the lavish jungles of Costa Rica.

Part festival and part conference, the event blends the two concepts into one, providing opportunities for as much fun and dancing as it does for networking opportunities.

The BPM Festival is dedicated to exploring the global roots of dance music and promoting independent music. It is a must for anyone interested in the DJ industry.

It takes place over five days, is funded by a lengthy list of corporate partners, and is deeply connected to the DJ community worldwide.

Plenty of notable established DJs perform at the BPM Festival across the multistage venue, with both daytime and evening gigs available.

What separates this apart from traditional festivals is the large assembly of industry professionals, making it arguably the world’s largest gathering of insiders.

Music producers rub shoulders with DJs and promoters, celebrating the culture and art of music and building up their contacts list.

It’s one of the industry’s flagship events, and DJs lucky enough to attend are guaranteed to receive inspiration and new perspectives.

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7. Live Production Summit

9th to 11th January 2025 – California, USA

Returning to the USA again for the Live Production Summit in Palm Springs, California, held at the prestigious Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Spa.

Live Production Summit has been running for over twenty years, one of the leading conferences in the music business.

The event covers all aspects of music industry activities, from event management and design to DJing and sustainability.

It includes speakers on various relevant topics, from overcoming the challenges of revenue sharing for artists to security measures event organizers need to be aware of.

Live Production Summit also has its own internal awards ceremony, the Pinnacle Awards, a series of prestigious awards for those who excel in their field.

The combined result of these conference features makes it ideal for DJs who want to improve their performance skills managerially.

Whether you’re hoping to start a DJ podcast and invite experts to your show or branch into event organizing, Live Production Summit offers plenty of value.

Check out ZIPDJ’s subscription pricing.

6. SXSW Conference

7th to 13th March 2025 – Texas, USA

One of the best-known conferences for entertainment industry professionals is the SXSW Conference, held annually in Austin, Texas/

This conference is a comprehensive event for entertainment industry professionals, covering everything from music to movies and television.

As such, you can expect in-depth discussions on everything from the role of AI in music production to featured speakers exploring all music genres.

For DJs, the main focus is likely to be the music business partnerships and events, which include a festival alongside the speaking events.

DJs branching out into music production will find plenty of insights into the art form at the SXSW Conference and the opportunity to share their work.

Indeed, artists frequently get their professional beginnings at SXSW, gaining much-needed publicity and exposure to industry insiders.

With informative discussions covering everything from the role of social media and music to working with promoters, the SXSW Conference comes highly recommended.

5. Music Biz Conference

12th to 15th May 2025 – Georgia, USA

The Georgia-based Music Biz Conference has considerable pedigree among industry insiders, with over 2000 attendees in 2024.

With a growing community since it was first established in Nashville over a decade ago, the event is capable of drawing big-name speakers to share their insights.

The event features speakers with balanced perspectives on the music business and what DJs can do to improve their chances of success.

This includes speeches from manufacturers of the best DJ software, producers for major record labels, and independent music pioneers.

There’s also a focus on helping industry business leaders navigate the landscape, invest in management solutions, and launch startups.

As such, the Music Biz Conference has been rightly dubbed as an essential hub for the industry and a vital event covering a full spectrum of issues.

Learn more: Discover everything you need to know about EDM music.

4. Brighton Music Conference

21st to 23rd May 2025 – Brighton, UK

If you’re a UK-based DJ looking for a conference to help you develop your career and navigate the industry, the Brighton Music Conference is designed for you.

Heading into its 12th edition in 2025, the Brighton Music Conference is the UK’s premier event for electronic music DJs and producers looking for networking opportunities.

The event hosts many DJ forums, speeches, and panel discussions, offering unique references to the industry’s best practices.

It has a packed program for networking opportunities, including speed networking and informal meetups over breakfast and dinner.

There are also many parties sprinkled throughout the conference, along with live entertainment and club nights, to unwind at the end of each day.

The Brighton Music Conference is set up in collaboration with many leading companies in the DJ industry, including Beatport and Stanton.

As such, you can expect to get access to early news on upcoming products that will help you to refine your DJing skills and stay abreast of new technology.

A dedicated element of the flagship event covers A&R for music producers, connecting artists with record label owners to share their latest demos.

Check out these glowing ZIPDJ member testimonials.

3. Miami Music Week

March 28th to 30th – Florida, USA

The Ultra Music Festival is one of the year’s biggest dance music industry highlights, with dozens of the leading DJs performing sets throughout the event.

Running alongside this is Miami Music Week, the industry event that connects up-and-coming DJs with the best match for their professional needs.

An essential event for DJs and producers looking to get their music heard, Miami Music Week is packed with speakers and opportunities for networking.

You can expect to rub shoulders with the owners of many major DJ booking agencies, with in-person conversations to help build relationships.

Representatives from the leading record labels in the dance music business are in attendance to help those looking to land a deal and distribute their music.

Defected, Nervous, and Stereo Productions are just a few examples of labels present at Miami Music Week’s main event.

Spread over many locations, the conference is also renowned for its lavish settings and parties at many of Miami’s leading nightclubs.

This makes it as compelling for unwinding and making casual connections as it is for in-depth panel discussions available throughout the daytimes.

Read more: Find out how to master essential advanced mixing techniques.

2. Winter Music Conference

March 2025 – Florida, USA

One of the longest-running conferences of its kind is the Winter Music Conference, which occurs once a year and began way back in 1985.

Functioning under the umbrella of the aforementioned Miami Music Week, the Winter Music Conference also takes place in Miami, Florida.

With its setting around some of Florida’s best pool parties, the tone is set for a fun yet informative conference DJs are eager to attend.

This includes extensive programming on DJing culture and trends from industry professionals and media experts with years of experience in their field.

Over the years, the Winter Music Conference has been at the forefront of dance music, with new genres often gaining attention at previous events.

Content curation is of the highest standard, with high-profile DJs such as Danny Tenaglia praising the event for its inspiring contributions to their craft.

Indeed, many insiders claim that the Winter Music Conference is the spiritual forerunner to significant events such as the Ultra Music Festival.

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1. International Music Summit

23rd to 25th April 2025 – Ibiza, Spain

Our last pick for essential music industry conferences comes from the heart of the global dance music scene in Ibiza, Spain.

The International Music Summit is the go-to conference for DJs who want to build their profiles and connect with leaders and innovators.

Everything is up for discussion here, from the latest trends in the music industry to innovations in DJing and dance music production.

The event takes place against the stunning backdrop of Cala Llonga Bay in Ibiza, with the option to stay at a beachside venue throughout the conference.

In addition to the many opportunities for networking in the industry, there will be a seven-hour open-air celebration with established and emerging DJs.

This live entertainment is set around the stunning Ims Dalt Vila, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site that captures the island’s appeal.

The International Music Summit is one of the best conferences in the world. It offers valuable insights into everything from essential online DJ courses to the creative process of music production.

Explore ZIPDJ’s competitive subscription pricing.

Summary

Music conferences are invaluable events for professional DJs looking for a diverse array of information and insights into how the music industry operates.

The conferences covered in this article are a great starting point for those considering attending such events, focusing on new technology and key trends for DJs.

If you attend a conference, make sure you focus on building a network and taking the time to hear expert viewpoints that can deliver lasting improvements for your career.