Winter Music Conference Unveils First Wave of Programming for 2026 Edition
Winter Music Conference (WMC), the world’s longest-running electronic music conference, returns March 24–26, 2026, with its most ambitious program in over a decade.
Building on its newly revitalized foundation at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, the Official Miami Music Week Hotel, WMC now unveils its First Wave of Programming, including speakers, panel topics, workshops, partners, activations, and new delegate spaces.
The 36th edition of WMC continues its mission of uniting artists, creators, industry leaders, and fans to explore the future of music, technology, and global dance culture. This year’s expanded offering includes dedicated programming across both the Industry and Creator tracks, a three-day rooftop pool party series, a fully activated Gear Exhibition Hall, and the launch of the A&R Pop-Up Lounge.
Beatport x WMC Pool Parties @ The Miami Music Week Hotel
Winter Music Conference announces an official, three-day pool party series hosted by Beatport Live, taking place Tuesday, March 24 – Thursday, March 26 on the iconic Kimpton EPIC Pool Deck overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Produced in partnership with L-Acoustics, AlphaTheta, and FEVER, these daytime events will serve as a centerpiece of the week’s programming.
The pool party series will feature three days of top-tier electronic label showcases, curated by some of the world’s most influential imprints. Designed for networking, discovery, and celebration, the Beatport x WMC pool parties will bring together artists, industry leaders, and fans in a premium waterfront setting during the heart of Winter Music Conference.
Educational Programming: Panels, Keynotes, and Workshops Shaping The Future Of Dance Music
As electronic music’s most influential industry gathering, Winter Music Conference curates programming that brings together the world’s leading artists, executives, creators, and innovators to explore the future of global dance culture.
For 2026, WMC introduces a two-track format – WMC // INDUSTRY and WMC // CREATORS – designed to serve the full spectrum of the music ecosystem. From label leaders and platform founders to breakthrough producers and creative technologists, attendees will connect through a mix of panels, keynotes, and hands-on workshops tailored to inspire, inform, and accelerate careers.
First Wave of Creator & Industry Panel Programming
Winter Music Conference’s panel program offers expert-led conversations at the intersection of music, business, culture, and technology – designed to inform and inspire both creators and professionals across the electronic spectrum.
WMC’s Creator & Industry panels bring together thought leaders from across the electronic music world for expert-led conversations at the intersection of music, business, culture, and innovation.The First Wave of Programming includes speakers from renowned companies such as: AFEM, AlphaTheta, Beatport, BUDDY, Create Music Group, Discogs, DJay Pro, DJaayz, Free Your Mind, L-Acoustics, Prodigy Artists, Submix, The Circuit Group, Vinyl Me Please, We Group, and more.
First Wave of Panel Topics Include:Create Music Group Presents: From Founding To Exit Fixing the Fragmented Fan: How Artists Can Finally Own Their AudienceLow End Theory: The Evolution and Future of Bass Music Gaming the System: AI, Streaming, and the New Rules of Music Distribution The Green Room: Sustainability in Club CultureThe Pop Up Shop: Creating Revenue, Building Brand, and Empowering FansLet’s Get Physical: The Unexpected Return of Physical Media AFEM Presents: Surviving The Digital AvalancheThe Artist As A Startup: Disrupt, Breakthrough, and Grow Beatport Presents: DJs Are The Ultimate InfluencersMore speakers, panels and keynote sessions to be announced through February.
First Wave of Workshop Sessions: Hands-On Skill Building
WMC’s workshops offer smaller-format, skills-based sessions focused on applied learning across music production, technology, and career development.
Led by respected educators, brands, and working professionals, each session offers real-world tools and live demonstrations delegates can apply immediately – from upgrading studio workflows and exploring new gear to launching a live show or scoring project.
First Wave of Workshop Sessions Include:Event Masters: Building a Career in Event ProductionFrom Studio to Screen: Careers in Film, Television & Commercial ScoringEDM Tips Presents: Using AI Without Losing Your SoundAlphaTheta Presents: CDJ-3000x Demo + Artist WorkflowMore to be announced.
Label Radar x WMC A&R Pop-Up Lounge
Winter Music Conference is launching a brand-new onsite activation for 2026: the A&R Pop-Up Lounge — a curated space where artists and label teams can connect directly, in person.
Presented in partnership with Label Radar the Lounge will be hosted inside the WMC Gear Exhibition Room and will feature a rotating lineup of respected dance labels across the dance music landscape.
WMC badge holders will be able to hand their USB demos directly to participating labels during these fast-paced meet-and-greet sessions, offering producers the rare opportunity to share their music with influential A&R teams and connect face-to-face with decision-makers.
First Wave of Participating Labels Include: Balance Music, BroBot Records w/ Junior Sanchez, Create Music Group (mau5trap, Monstercat, !K7, and Cr2 Records), Dirty Workz, Experts Only, Ultra Records, and more to be announced.
Featuring: L-Acoustics DJ – The First Spatial Audio System Built for DJs
L-Acoustics DJ transforms traditional stereo DJ setups into fully immersive spatial audio experiences using proprietary machine learning. The system separates tracks into individual stems—beats, bass, melodies, vocals—in real time, giving DJs complete creative control over spatialization.
DJs choose their approach: select an atmosphere preset and let the system handle spatial movement, or take full control to position each element throughout the venue. Unlike other stem separators, the multi-channel stems route directly into a spatial mix engine, creating three-dimensional sound that moves around and above the audience. It integrates with any DJ setup—no equipment changes required.
Experience L-Acoustics DJ live at WMC 2026 with dedicated pool deck shows and demos.
Brand & Industry Partners
WMC and the Official Miami Music Week Hotel welcome their first wave of 2026 brand partners, each activating with custom experiences, demo zones, workshops, and branded integrations.FIRST WAVE OF PREMIER PARTNERS: adidas, Amaze (WMC’s Official Merch Partner), Beatport, L-Acoustics, AlphaTheta, FEVER, More TBA.
Gear & Industry Exhibitor Partners
The WMC Gear Exhibition Room returns as a hands-on technology playground for DJs, producers, and creators. Delegates will have the opportunity to check out the latest gear and demos from top industry brands and get hands-on demos.
The International Dance Music Awards will return to Winter Music Conference in 2026, in partnership with Bridges for Music
The International Dance Music Awards will return to Winter Music Conference in 2026, marking a meaningful homecoming for electronic music’s original award platform. Launched in 1985 at the first edition of Winter Music Conference, the IDMAs were created to recognize excellence across the rapidly growing global dance music scene.
Over the decades, the awards have celebrated pioneering DJs, producers, labels, tracks, and events that helped define generations of club culture and electronic sound. Their return in 2026 underscores both the enduring legacy of the awards and their continued relevance in a constantly evolving industry. Set during Miami Music Week, the reunion of the International Dance Music Awards and Winter Music Conference reaffirms a shared history rooted in innovation, community, and the celebration of dance music worldwide.
The IDMAS will be celebrated in partnership with Bridges for Music – a global nonprofit that empowers underserved communities through music and education. Bridges for Music has built a powerful reputation for its work in bridging cultural and economic divides through music-led education programs. Known for its pioneering Academy in South Africa and for the support from artists like Richie Hawtin, Skrillex, Martin Garrix and Black Coffee, the organization has become a global model for social impact through electronic music and is expanding rapidly across the African continent.
WMC 2026 BADGES & HOTEL ROOMS
For 2026, WMC will offer two badge tiers: WMC Access and WMC Pro:
- The WMC Access badge provides delegates with admittance to all Winter Music Conference programming, including keynotes, panels, exhibitor spaces, and workshops. Conference programming starts on Wednesday (25th) and runs through Thursday (26th), with early badge pickup on Tuesday (24th) at the registration desk on the 14th Floor.
- NOTE: The Access badge does not include admittance to any of the pool parties or sanctioned events.
- The WMC Pro Badge provides delegates with admittance to all Winter Music Conference programming, including keynotes, panels, exhibitor spaces, and workshops. This badge also covers pool parties at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, taking place from Tuesday to Thursday (1 pm – 10 pm) featuring top-tier DJs and label partners. Additionally, the Pro badge grants entry to all our sanctioned events during Miami Music Week, with select parties to be announced as they are secured.
- All WMC Pro Badge holders will also receive complimentary access to the new Event Masters Event Production Course — a comprehensive online training program designed to teach the fundamentals of producing live events, festivals, and large-scale experiences. This exclusive benefit gives delegates a professional certification pathway, empowering both emerging and established creators to elevate their production skills and advance their careers.
- NOTE: Entry to sanctioned events is not guaranteed and is typically the first hour to two hours after doors open.
