10am: Registration
(New Orleans Room)

11am: Music Industry 101: the Basics in 2008
(Mississippi Room)
Everything you need to know about getting started in the business of music. Panelists will discuss the "how to" for recording a quality demo to developing an effective promo package to building a functional Web site to booking/promoting consistent local gigs and more. An informative session for newbies and seasoned music scene veterans alike - this panel is sure to offer something for everyone.

Panelists include: Robbie Lloyd (Silva Artist Management), Ben Moore (Independent Producer), Steve Churchyard (Producer INXS/The Pretenders), Chris Cantore (X1FM), Ken Leighton (San Diego Reader), Nathan Dinsdale (San Diego CityBeat), Paul Abbott (Zen Mastering)

11:10am: How to make money as a Songwriter and Publisher
(Lafayette Room)
Talent and skills are necessary to achieve success as a songwriter and/or lyricist. However, educating yourself about the music business, building a support network and learning to market your songs are equally important to be successful. This session will inform and empower songwriters by providing reliable information on the business of songwriting and music publishing including mechanical royalties, performance royalties, print royalties and synchronization licenses.

Panelists include: Joe Maggini (BMI), Josh Briggs (ASCAP), Josquin des Pres (Producer - Track Star Entertainment), David Branfman (Attorney - Branfman Law Group), Stephanie St. Gal de Pons (Warner Chappell Music)

12:30pm: Keynote Speaker - Jerry Heller
(Mississippi Room)

1:45pm: Music Marketing: Promoting Your Band
(Mississippi Room)
You've recorded your record, played a string of steadily improved local shows and built an
e-mail list comprised of fans other than immediate family and roommates - now what? This informative session will delve into building a fanbase through the local media, artist merchandising, marketing and promotion. Panelists will discuss on air promotion, show promotion, graphic design/artist Web sites, cost-effective production of t-shirts, stickers, posters, flyers/postcards and more.

Panelists include: George Varga (San Diego Union Tribune), Jeff Motch (Lively & Motch), Pete Reichert (Merch Lackey), Garrett Michaels (FM 94/9), Greg Pearson (Trusonic), Tadd Crayton (loserkids.com), Erik Stein (Scoop Marketing)

1:55pm: Music Licensing: TV, Film, Online, Video Games
(Lafayette Room)
The world of music licensing - a world where the rights to use music are bought and sold every day. With thousands of television, film, online entertainment and video game companies in the U.S., the call from a production company requesting the use of a song occurs hundreds of times a day. It's a call that can take on many variations and one that can produce considerable future income - are you prepared if that call comes in?

Panelists include: Casey Robison (BMI), Dave Brown (Better Looking Records), Mike Locke (Rhino Records), Dan Wilcox (Ten Music)

2:15pm: Demo Review Session #1
(Baton Rouge Room)
Reviewers include: Tim Pyles (FM 94/9 and Astra Kelly (KPRI)

3:30pm: Touring 2008: Getting a gig locally, and in another town.
(Mississippi Room)
Spreading your musical virus - locally or on the road - is a challenging task. Whether your booking your first local gig or a nationwide club tour, playing live is integral to the success of any band or singer-songwriter. Unfortunately, booking shows can be a frustrating endeavor. This panel will break down all aspects of booking and provide strategic tips to make the process more productive and less painful.

Panelists include: Bart Mendoza (Touring Musician), Len Paul (SOMA San Diego),
Steve Poltz (Singer-Songwriter), Candace Mandracia (Live Nation/House of Blues), Kristen Worden-Harris (Croshal Entertainment), Tim Mays (The Casbah)

3:30pm: Demo Review Session #2
(Baton Rouge Room)
Reviewers include: Rowley & Preston (91X)

3:45pm: Is a Record Deal in your Future?
(Lafayette Room)
As major record labels are consolidating at a record pace to accommodate rapidly diminishing sales figures and a seemingly broken business model, many artists are questioning whether a record contract is as important as it once was. This collection of top level artists, managers and label executives will address artist concerns and take an up close look at the current label landscape and alternatives to the record label game.

Panelists include: Brian Gross (BSG PR), Eric Howarth (M-Theory Music),
Neils Schroeder (Surfdog Records), James Agren (Darla Records),
Greg Laswell (Touring Musician), Jennifer Knoepfle (ASCAP)

All Panelists Subject to Change.