WMC IN THE PRESS

The elite of electronic dance music have been congregating at the Winter Music Conference in Miami for the past 26 years, but this year's festival promises to be the biggest one yet, thanks to the genre's rise in mainstream popularity.
Rolling Stone, March 2012
Celebrating its 27th consecutive year, the WMC's week-long gathering in Miami, Fla. is considered as one of the most popular music gatherings in the world, attracting thousands of DJs, producers and music industry professionals from over 70 countries. More than 100,000 attendees take part in the annual music event that incorporates over 400 mini events, seminars, workshops, parties and over 1,400 artists and DJ performances. The International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) put on by WMC is the only longstanding awards event dedicated to the electronic and dance music industry. The awards highlight innovative artists, products and technologies from the previous year.
MI2N, April 2012
Every year it has always been a lot of fun for us but it is amazing to watch how that has translated into the growth in attendance and those that embrace the music, concept and concerts – both in the industry as well as outside of the industry. I remember a time when there were only a few South Florida venues that made it a point to be involved with the conference. Miami has become a premier nightlife destination comparable to Vegas and NYC and it is great to have the support of the venues during the conference.
Armand Van Helden, Quoted in NBC Miami, March 2012
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know these past 10 days marked the 27th consecutive year of Winter Music Conference in Miami Beach Florida. This one-of-kind gathering unites thousands of attendees, including artists, DJs, record labels, producers, A&R, press, event/concert promoters, venues and beyond. All week long, the most elite invade South Beach to attend seminars, workshops, events and parties with the top artists and DJs. More than 1,400 EDM artists from all over the world come out to be among their peers and friends while celebrating their passion for music.
OC Weekly, March 2012
My aim is to see as much people as I can during the week trying to expand my network for future releases and have a few drinks and laughs as well, don't forget it's only once a year WMC.
Baggi Begovic, Quoted in DMC World Magazine, March 2012
Winter Music Conference at the new Beachplex on 21st Street has seen a good share of foot traffic for its exhibits, seminars and stage performances. After sitting on the "Social Media & PR" panel, which saw an overflow room learn some basics on promotion and creating sizzle, we became audience members for some other sessions. One panel that dropped a lot of DJ knowledge was Wednesday's "Dynamic DJs" session. Moderated by Joe Claussell (of Body & Soul fame), the sit-down featured jocks like house legend Todd Terry and German DJ/producer Moguai discussing new technologies.
DJ Times, March 2012
Winter Music Conference (WMC), dance music's equivalent to the Cannes Film Festival, hasfor nearly three decades welcomed the world's electronic music industry to South Beach.
The Guardian/The Observer, April 2012
If you are into electronic music, the Winter Music Conference is still an important place to be. It is always about the people that go to Miami and enjoy music, and hop from one place to another and check it out. We made a very self-conscious decision of not playing the festival so we do what we actually want to do: to present our music in an environment that we really enjoy.
Paul Van Dyk, Quoted in Music Suite 101, March 2012
On the beach, almost close enough to hear at the Convention Center, is the Winter Music Conference. DJs are spinning their mixes all over the hotels.
CBS Miami, March 2012
What is the Winter Music Conference? Wikipedia proclaims the Winter Music Conference as " a week-long electronic music conference, held every March since the mid-1980s in Miami, Florida. It is aimed at professionals such as artists, DJs, record label representatives (A&R), producers, promoters, radio, and the media." I define it as: Spring Break for the dance music industry! WMC, in its 27th consecutive year, offered workshops, seminars with Q&A sessions, and parties that went on literally 24 hours a day from March 16-25th.
DJ Mike Pope, March, 2012
There are so many great DJs and electronic music artists that come out of Miami and bring a fresh and original sound to music. The Winter Music conference is a great example of the community here that is devoted to getting people off their asses to dance.
Meital Dohan, Quoted in The Miami Herald, March 2012
The Winter Music Conference (WMC) kicks off its 27th year in Miami on Friday, where some of the hottest and most eclectic mashups of music, spun by some of the world's most prominent DJs will be celebrated… From Electro, Dubstep, Moombahton, Electro Tango, and Nu-disco, this newly expanded 10-day fest will surely pump up its estimated 100,000, mostly under 30 year old dance-music fans, at over 400 electric-music ragers around the city.
Fox News Latino, March 2012
WMC is a big thing for me, for every DJ, for every producer and every artist appreciating music/dance music. It's an honor for me to be asked to be on a panel. I did it and it went really well. Good questions, good conversations. It was beautiful.
Red One, March, 2011
This has been the best year for business and crazy partying… One of my favorite parts of WMC is the panels, they are great places to network with producers and also speak to people who rate your work and have come to pick your brains.
Marc JB from Bimbo Jones, March 21, 2011                     
The Winter Music Conference, in Miami Beach is an annual weeklong event that can only be explained as the Olympics for DJs and clubbers alike. Nowhere else on the planet and at no other time, can you find more DJ's and parties to attend in a single week. This is where electronic music artists come from all over the world to give fans and colleagues a taste of the music they have been preparing.
House Music TV.com, March 2011
One of the most important stateside events on the dance music calendar, Miami's Winter Music Conference will be celebrating its 26th edition in 2011. Having grown from humble beginnings, it's become an essential stop for artists, partygoers, promoters and labels.
Resident Advisor, January 2011
The Hippest electronic music lovers from all over the world descend upon South Beach every year to experience Winter Music Conference. If you've never attended this annual event, and you consider yourself a trendsetter who knows what's hot before everyone else, than this is definitely something you want to experience… Over its long history WMC has been known by industry insiders and fans as the event for those who are launching new music, technology and trends in the music business. The conference is a huge platform for underground artists from over 70 different countries and it's also popular with electronic companies who want to unveil new developments.
Sheri Elfman, Edge New York.com, March 2011
Sun, sea, sand and sex is in the air, excitement is paramount and in this climate, new movements, ideas and alliances are forged. 26 years on, and the WMC's import is undimmed.
Ben Murphy, DJ Mag UK, March 2011
Winter Music Conference is a weeklong cultural celebration … From VIP Music Lounges to huge nightclubs to small ‘in-stores' and poolside performances, WMC is not about one event or one DJ. WMC is the bigger picture.
MTV News, November 2010
Winter Music Conference  v. 2011 opened its doors today at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and you only needed to follow the sound of thumping bass to find the exhibit hall, where we parked ourselves at our booth surrounded by Pioneer, Virtual DJ, Beamz Interactive, Best Buy, ILio, and Lifebeat, among others.
Brian O'Connor, DJ Times, March 2011
In the past, a lot less focus [during WMC] was on the music. This year, they were really into listening and learning. EDM is coming into its own. Things are changing so fast. We used to say dance music was the music of tomorrow. Well, tomorrow is now.
Kristine W quoted on BeachMonkey.com, March 2011
Every March, the beautiful people like Madonna and Diddy and Karl Lagerfeld head down to Miami to join the gods of electronic dance music. They come to Miami to check out the huge electronic music festival: The Winter Music Conference. The Winter Music Conference  is a little like the Cannes Film Festival of Electronica.
Sami Yenigum, NPR Music, March 2011
A WMC week of parties that are largely an all-American affair, harking back to the roots of the conference as a focal point for the US dance industry, a long-slumbering beast that has recently awoken to flex its might once again.
Ben Arnold, DJ Mag UK, March 2011
During WMC, more than 500 annual industry gatherings and performance events boast one of the most sought after aggregations of legendary and emerging artists to be found in the world. WMC's drawing power for assembling innovative music professionals and launching effective global campaigns is demonstrated year after year with career-launching performances and new releases by artists that have historically included Lady Gaga (WMC 2008), Rihanna (WMC 2006, the black Eyed Peas (WMC 2009) and featured appearances in 2010 by artists like Deadmau5 and Grammy winner David Guetta, amongst hundred others.
Corriente Latina.com, March 2011
I'm in Miami, the Winter Music Conference is in high gear, and I'm ready to dance.
Mickey Weems, Edge Boston, March 2011
Winter Music Conference: Ground zero for electronic dance music creators and fans from around the globe, the Fort Lauderdale-based WMC sets up shop at the Miami Beach Convention center for serious-minded seminars and networking opportunities.
Sun Sentinel, March 2011
I've been going to WMC for several years. I treat it more as a kind of reunion of friends.
A-Trak, quoted in DJ Mag UK, March 2011
Relationships are forged, deals are struck and some of the biggest records of the year are debuted at the Miami Winter Music Conference.
Frommers
… Miami is one of my favorite cities to visit. It's beautiful here… I'm coming back for the International Dance Music Awards and the Winter Music Conference.
Mya, Aol Music, March 2011
Winter Music Conference, in its 26th consecutive year, is one of the most publicized annual music gatherings in the world. A pivotal platform for the advancement of the industry.
Grammy 365, March 2011
The Winter Music Conference takes over Miami in 2011, the WMC is moving from its normal hotel setting to the Miami Beach Convention Center. The larger venue allows for more attendees to enjoy all that the WMC has to offer.
Michelle Snow, Uptake, November 2010
This year, for our outdoor party at the Winter Music Conference at the Shelbourne, it'll be us three playing all night." And this year we're going to play for as long as they'll let us.
Francois Kevorkian, DJ Mag UK, March 2011
Now we're in the thick of it. The fever pitch of season - when Timmy and his parents to La La from Layola and her five best friends are here for Spring Break.  Oh, and there's this little annual thing going on called Winter Music Conference. There are so many simultaneous parties going on that even The List isn't enough to navigate them.
Serg Alexander, 944 Magazine, March 2011
In addition to panels, showcases and parties galore, this year's conference will feature the "WMC Experience" that will feature "nearly unlimited opportunities for expansion and growth with its move to the Miami Beach Convention Center in the midst of South Beach.
Big Shot, March 2011
This year's WMC is expected to draw well over 100,000 people for the beats and business deals of the annual dance industry conference.
Mike Doherty, Spinner, March 2011