Music Biz 2020 Call For Presentations

There are a few points to keep in mind as you craft your best submission:

While Music Biz membership is not a requirement for submitting a proposal, members are given priority consideration. There are many benefits to membership beyond the Annual Conference — to learn more, visit musicbiz.org/about. 

All topics MUST present a balanced perspective, ensuring that attendees understand the full spectrum of an issue and that key industry stakeholders are given a chance to weigh in on the discussion from their vantage point. For a list of stakeholders represented at the Music Biz Annual Conference, see “Please know your audience” below.

Presenters/panelists MUST be diverse in gender, ethnicity, age, geographic location, areas of expertise, and ideologies. This push is in line with Music Biz’s aim to accelerate change in the music industry and create a more inclusive environment for present and future generations. 

If balance and diversity are not achieved, the Association reserves the right to disqualify submissions or suggest/add participants to a discussion to ensure that Music Biz standards are met. 

Please know your audience. Music Biz Conference attendees include the following industry players: commercial businesses (interactive and non-interactive streaming services, online and physical stores, etc.); internet radio services; aggregators; major and independent labels and distributors; mobile service and hardware providers; data providers; information technology companies; startups; artists; songwriters; publishers; managers; agents; touring professionals; educators; students; and lawyers.

Music Biz welcomes creative ideas  — successes, strategies and innovative approaches to addressing the timely issues affecting the modern music industry. Below are a list of program categories that current members and previous attendees have found most valuable:

• Entertainment & Technology Law
• Metadata
• Indie Artist & Songwriter
• Artist Management
• Live Events & Touring
• Podcasting
• Publishing & Rights Management
• Streaming, Playlisting & New Delivery Models
• Physical Product Sales & Promotion
• Brand & Strategic Partnerships
• Career & Professional Development
• Sync – Television, Film, Games
• Financial Literacy & Planning
• Social Media
• Marketing & Public Relations
• AI & VR
  

Presentations, case studies, conversation/interview formats, and panels are encouraged. Those sessions that lend themselves best to a panel format MUST be limited to no more than a moderator and three (3) panelists.

NO sales pitch-oriented presentations will be considered.

During Music Biz 2020, panels will be staggered by time and location, allowing ample time for attendees to ask questions and speak one-on-one with panelists after the session. Presenters and panelists should plan their schedule accordingly to take questions beyond the scheduled presentation time.

Submissions will be prioritized based on overall quality, focus and innovation; relevance to the issues facing the music and entertainment industries; sound research and theoretical basis (if applicable); practical implications for the Music Biz audience; and diversity and reputation of proposed participants.

Over the past year, Billboard Lead Analyst Glenn Peoples has offered up some advice on putting together a top-notch panel via his blogs on Medium. Although we like these articles because they reference the Music Biz program directly, we also feel they highlight the key ingredients that are essential in making the high-caliber educational program for our Annual Conference. Take a look at Glenn’s articles linked below:

• What music conference panels need in 2020
• The four ingredients of a great music business conference panel

Expenses

• There are no fees required to submit a proposal.
• Presenters/panelists will receive a complimentary full registration to attend the event.
• Music Biz does not pay per diem or honoraria, or provide travel expenses or hotel accommodations for those chosen to speak.

Presentation Space Particulars

• All presentation slides (PPT, Keynote or PDF preferred) must be delivered to Music Biz 48 hours before your scheduled session to be loaded on a shared computer that will be set and ready when you arrive at your presentation room. If slides are sent less than 48 hours before the session, we may not be able to test them to guarantee audio/visual quality and performance. 
• The programming space at the JW Marriott Nashville will include:
  • Laptop computer;
  • Internet connection; and
  • Screen with LCD projector.
• If the presentation requires equipment other than that shown above, organizer and/or participants must provide equipment at their own expense.

Deadlines

• Submissions must be received by 8pm PST on Monday, December 2, 2019. 
• Those whose Call For Presentation entries are chosen will be contacted by Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
• Panels must be fully staffed with panelists by Friday, March 13, 2020 so that proper follow-up and marketing of the session can be completed.

Submission Specifics

Submit your program proposal here

Those wishing to submit a speaker for consideration rather than a panel or presentation idea can do so here.

• Each proposal should be as specific as possible, especially in the title and description of your program.
• Proposal must contain:
  • Title: Should be concise (10 words or less) and descriptive of the program content. The more creative and intriguing the title, the higher the probability of getting registrants to read further.
  • Session Description: The description will be used in the submission evaluation process and should include main points, objectives and goals of the proposed program. This description will also be used in the event’s program book. This description provides the basis upon which attendees select the sessions that they will attend. Explain what the audience will learn from the presentation/panel and how they may be able to implement that in their businesses.
  • Participants: List, in addition to the organizer, individuals who you propose, or who you have confirmed are interested and available, who will be part of the presentation. Please remember that panelists should present all sides of an issues and be diverse in gender, ethnicity, age, geographic location, areas of expertise, and ideologies. If balance and diversity are not achieved, the Association reserves the right to suggest and or add participants to a discussion to ensure that Music Biz standards are met. 
• Proposals will be rejected if all information on the online submission form is not completed.
• An organizer may submit a maximum of three (3) proposals and cannot submit the same proposal more than once.

Questions regarding your submission or the guidelines outlined above? Please contact Nicole Hennessey at 856.313.5532 or nicole.hennessey@musicbiz.org.