Please note that many details for IMC05 are still in the planning stages. Though we've attempted to answer these "Frequently Asked Questions" as best we can, please realize that some details may change as we get closer to the event. The great news is that it's not too late for you to join in on the planning and building of the IMC! Join the mailing list and get your voice heard. Q: What is the Independent Music Conference?
Q: Where will the conference be held?
Q: What are the dates of the conference?
Q: What will the conference schedule be like?
Q: Who are some of the returning instructors?
Q: How do I/my band sign up to attend the conference?
Q: How can I register for the conference and is there a deadline?
Q: Why do you call 'showcase' the "s-word" and why don't you use it when describing IMC performances?
Q: But aren't you charging to apply for a performance slot at IMC?
Q: OK, how can I/my band sign up for a performance slot?
Q: Does each member of my band need to purchase a registration in order to perform?
Q: I still don't get it, are we paying a fee in order to perform at the IMC?
Q: We've got six members and we also want to bring our manager and roadie! Do we need to purchase a registration for each and every one of them?
Q: Are there any refunds if I can not attend the IMC after reserving my rooms and paying for my registration?
Q: When will the artists be notified that they were chosen for a performance slot?
Q: Maybe the IMC is not the right event for me, should I attend anyway?
Q: What kind of sponsorship opportunities are there at the IMC?
Q: How can I help out with the conference?
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IMC05!
IndieGate.com is proud to present the
FAQ PAGE
Updated 8/18/05
Now in its third year, the IMC is a revolutionary new kind of Music Conference. Presented by IndieGate.com online independent music store, the IMC focuses on empowering musicians to achieve indie success. This event is NOT about "how to get signed" or "discovered." If you are smart enough to know that the chances are slim to none that someone in a stretch limo will pull up to your curb and hand you superstardom on a silver platter, then this is the conference you want to attend. It is an educational and internetworking event coordinated by InterMixx, the membership based organization that has been helping indies for almost 20 years. However, the IMC is ultimately planned and built by you - the independent musician who wants to succeed on your own terms. Your opinions and ideas are needed. To find out how to get involved and to check out the very latest on the IMC05, join the mailing list and get in on the planning and discussion! You may also want to join our IMC Group at MySpace.com. We're now interacting with almost 4000 musicians, industry members and fans online!
Philadelphia, PA, at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in the downtown area, within short distance of several venues suitable for IMC performances. The Sheraton is a perfect venue for the IMC and they are working very hard to help us make this event a success once again! The Sheraton proved itself to be an extremely effective location for the IMC and we're proud to be back there for our third year.
The third IMC will be held August 31st - September 5th, 2005.
The schedule this year is PACKED!!! IMC05 is jammed to overflowing with panels, workshops, mentoring, networking and performance critique and education. All workshops are repeated at least once to help you avoid schedule conflicts. Full daily schedules are now online so plan ahead and maximize your time at IMC05. Check out the agenda page to see all the educational opportunities that will be available.
Over FIFTY instructors have committed to teach at IMC05! Industry members who are generously donating their knowledge and experience include: Elaine Law, CCC-SLP/A, Steven Memel, Bill Pere, David Wimble, Dick Gabriel, Ducado Vega, Ravi, Dave Dickson, Theresa Aldao, Maurice Henderson, Michael Driscoll, Kyle Ober, Gilli Moon, Toni Koch, Noel Ramos, Thom McGuire, Jeff Cohn, Jason Rubal, James M. Ballard III, Ph.D., Jordan Tishler, Marcy Rauer Wagman, Esq., Robert Case and more. The educational value represented by these fine instructors makes the IMC one of the greatest learning opportunities you can find. Join us and learn how to advance your independent music career.
If you would like to attend the conference, you will need to register for the event. The current $75 fee will get you ONE full registration for all the conference activities. Click here to purchase your registrations online. Your purchase also includes one free IndieGate.com set-up!
You can register online for the IMC right now! The Drop-deadline for registration is Friday August 19th. You do need to purchase at least one registration to be eligible to perform, so hurry!
As you know, we're trying to change people's perceptions regarding music conferences. The term "showcase" has earned a bad reputation, it's a lot like that other phrase "battle of the bands." The "s-word" has often been used in many promotional schemes designed to simply make a lot of money off of hopeful musicians who pay $25, $35 and even more just for a CHANCE at a performance slot. The carrot that these events dangle in front of the musicians is the promise of "industry people" in the audience who might "sign you" or "discover you." How many bands can you name that this actually happened to? The IMC will not take advantage of any performers by promising things we can't absolutely deliver. This event is based in reality, and we promise to give you a high quality educational and networking experience, not carrots. We prefer to use the word "performance" instead and that's exactly what the IMC will be presenting... high energy independent music performances just like last year's and IMC2003. We drew great crowds to the clubs and the bands that performed made awesome connections, increased their fan base, and some even got booked at the clubs for future gigs.
No, definitely not. The IMC does not want you pay for a mere "chance" at a performance. If you are going to spend some money, it should be on things of value. Your registration fee gets you started with IndieGate.com, our online independent music store and full registration to the IMC. Your IndieGate start-up is FREE when you take advantage of this offer! The things we need to get you set-up on the IndieGate are also the things we need to consider you for a performance slot, so you get two things accomplished in one easy step, and you save the usual $30 IndieGate set-up fee!
All IndieGate artists who register to attend the IMC are automatically eligible for a possible performance slot. There are no "showcase application fees" or any other additional costs. In fact your IndieGate set-up, usually $30, is included FREE. Just click here to register
No, only one member of your group needs to purchase a registration, but at least one must purchase or you will not be eligible to perform. In order to become eligible to perform, at least one artist must commit to attending the IMC by purchasing a registration. We believe the most important aspect of the IMC is the educational events taking place during the dayparts of the conference. The registration process is designed to encourage all attendees to take advantage of the carefully designed Workshops, Panels and Mentor sessions that make the IMC a revolutionary educational opportunity for indies trying to advance their DIY career. Plan to attend the IMC for its true value as an educational event, and if you're also chosen to perform, all the better! We really want to discourage bands from attending the IMC just to perform. You don't need a music conference to get you a gig in a bar, you can book it yourself and get paid to perform! If you're going to perform at a conference, think of it as a way to support the event, network, expand your touring area and fan base, and a great way to augment the learning you'll be doing during the workshops.
Definitely not! We are very strongly opposed to "pay to play" situations. All we are trying to do with the IMC's fee structure is encourage musicians to attend the IMC workshops, and at the same time discourage people who really just want to perform and don't plan on attending the workshops. We don't want your hard-earned cash if you don't plan to get your money's worth out of the IMC. Please do not come to the IMC if you are not fully intending to attend the workshops. Click here for the "T-shirt analogy," another attempt to explain the IMC more thoroughly.
No! We encourage you to bring your team. We fully understand how much help roadies, girlfriends, boyfriends, managers etc, provide to the band. We feel the IMC will be even more valuable to you if they take advantage of the learning opportunities along with you. So we created the MAXX Discount. Please bring up to 8 people as part of your band if you wish, and pay only $300. That's only $37.50 per person for five days of awesome internetworking! You also get the free IndieGate set-up. We feel that the more motivated attendees we can attract, the more effective this event will be for all of us.
No, absolutely none and there can be no exceptions. This is much like purchasing a ticket for any large event. There can be be NO refunds for registrations or room reservations if you become unable to attend after purchasing, so please plan wisely! It would simply be logistically and financially devastating to us if we had to worry about possible refunds, and most of the income is covering things that have already been paid for, such as hotel rooms and facility expenses. The IMC can not get that money back! We need your support on every level to make this event work, and we really need you to be there! Please plan to attend the IMC and stay in the hotel.
Just as we did last year, we will be announcing the performers for IMC on a most appropriate date: Independence Day, July 4th, 2005.
No! Because this event focuses only on the independent music market, and features many procedures and policies that are not like the typical music conference, it may not be right for every musician. We do not want you to be disappointed and feel that you wasted your time and money on an event that does not meet your needs. There are many other worthwhile conferences being presented and you should only attend those that really offer what you need for your specific situation. Your time and money are far too valuable to waste and you can only afford to attend so many music events per year. Do plenty of research, ask other musicians in the various egroups and choose wisely. We are not interested in huge numbers of attendees, we're more concerned with attracting indies who see value in the learning that is being offered at the IMC. If you're unsure about attending the IMC, we'll be glad to help you make a determination. Call us at 203 606 4649.
Vendor's tables, banner placement, sponsored parties, goodie bag inserts, lit table, ads in our directory... Check out the info on the site featuring details of the sponsorship opportunities. Vendor Tables in the Expo room are only $500.00 this year, so please contact us soon if you'd like one. IMC registrants can get small round tables to present their band merchandise and info at the IMC for only $25! There will be a special IMC Directory Edition of our InterMixx Webzine and ads can be purchased within it. There will also be a printed handout schedule and map at the event. The Goodie bag is an awesome backpack that was a huge hit at IMC2003 and the laminates can be sponsored too. Please email IMC@InterMixx.com if you are interested.
If you haven't gotten the hint yet, join the mailing list and get in on the planning. Help us build the kind of music conference that you need! If you are interested in becoming a member of our Volunteer Staff please email us at: IMC@InterMixx.com.
Thanxx and we hope to see you at the IMC!
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