Jazz Connect Conference at APAP|NYC 2014
Focused Series of Workshops, Panels and Events
on January 9-10, 2014 will Address Important Issues
and Trends Affecting the Jazz Community
The Jazz Connect Conference at APAP|NYC 2014, organized by JazzTimes in conjunction with the Jazz Forward Coalition,
announced the tentative schedule of events for one of the largest
gatherings of the professional jazz community. The conference will be
held January 9-10, 2014 at the Hilton New York Hotel in New York City and will feed into the annual APAP (Association of Performing Arts Presenters) Conference as well as Winter Jazzfest. Continuing the momentum from the January 2013 event which tripled to over 1,000 registrants, the Jazz Connect Conference
in 2014-based on feedback from attendees-will feature a series of
essential workshops, panels and events held over the course of two days.
Early Bird Registration is only $75 until October 31,
with additional discounts offered to members of various organizations.
Registration is free for APAP members, although they must pre-register.
With
a theme of "The Road Ahead" the conference will again bring together a
wide cross-section of the jazz community for 12 workshops and 5 plenary
sessions, on topics such as: "Navigating Social Media"; "The Role of
Education in Presenting Jazz"; "The New Paradigm for Record Labels";
"Cutting Through the Clutter"; "Jazz Grantmaking"; "Expanding the
Language of Jazz"; "Getting to the Gatekeepers in the Jazz Media"; "Give
to Get: Growing Your Fan Base with Online Content" and other timely and
engaging subjects. Moderators and panelists include an impressive
cross-section of artists and professionals. The keynote speaker will be
announced soon. New this year will be a networking session enabling
emerging artists and professionals to connect and get informed input on
their own careers and operations. "We noticed that attendees appreciated
the opportunity that Jazz Connect offered to network with each other
and meet colleagues face-to-face and so we decided to program a session
that facilitates that interaction," says Lee Mergner, publisher of JazzTimes
and one of the conference's organizers. "It seems that social media can
only take you so far in establishing relationships in the community."
The
schedule reflects the input from and collaboration with numerous
organizations such as JazzWeek (radio programmers), Jazz Education
Network, All About Jazz and the Jazz Journalists Association, each of
whom will host workshops or panels during the conference. In addition to
incorporating the involvement of various organizations, the sessions
also include a wide range of voices in and out of the jazz community.
Peter
Gordon, co-founder of Jazz Forward Coalition says that the new theme
for the Jazz Connect Conference is all about the jazz community looking
forward. "There has been a vibrant re-emergence in the sense of
community for jazz," says Gordon. "By providing a forum for this shared
passion coupled with top professionals guiding us with their deep
knowledge base, we hope to arm everyone with tools and strategies to
thrive in the coming year. Working together we have a collective
intelligence that is unstoppable for the road ahead."
By
popular demand, Jazz Connect will again include a session topic
suggested by the jazz community at large. Interested parties can submit
their ideas for a panel or workshop via e-mail to jazzconnectnyc@gmail.com.
The Jazz Connect conference is organized by Peter Gordon of the Jazz Forward Coalition and Lee Mergner of JazzTimes,
with assistance and input from over a dozen industry professionals. The
conference has received the support of the Association of Performing
Arts Presenters organization, which hosts the world's leading forum for
the performing arts every year in New York City. JazzTimes is the official publication for the event.
For more information about the Jazz Connect conference, you can e-mail jazzconnectnyc@gmail.com or visit www.jazz-connect.com.
To pre-register for the conference, go to the website. To reserve a
table-top display or to advertise in the Conference edition of JazzTimes, contact Miene Smith at 617-706-9092 or msmith@madavor.com.
Attendees can get a special discount at the host hotels for the APAP|NYC conference, but must go through the APAP|NYC website.
About the Association of Performing Arts Presenters
The
Association of Performing Arts Presenters, based in Washington, DC, is
the national service and advocacy organization dedicated to developing
and supporting a robust performing arts presenting field and the
professionals who work within it. As a leader in the field, APAP works
to effect change through advocacy, professional development, resource
sharing and civic engagement. APAP is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization
governed by a volunteer board of directors and led by President &
CEO Mario Garcia Durham. In addition to presenting the annual APAP|NYC
conference-the world's leading forum and marketplace for the performing
arts (Jan. 11-15, 2013)-APAP continues to be the industry's leading
resource, knowledge and networking destination for the advancement of
performing arts presenting.
About the Jazz Forward Coalition
The
Jazz Forward Coalition (JFC) is a consortium of industry leaders
focused on enhancing jazz's vitality and cultural relevance for audience
development. JFC is focused on developing programs and platforms to
support its two central themes of advocacy and infrastructure. By
providing a global voice, JFC will cultivate opportunities to motivate
growth for current and future generations to expand jazz's cultural
footprint. On the web at www.jazzforwardcoalition.com.
About JazzTimes
JazzTimes
is America's preeminent jazz magazine providing irreverent,
uncompromising and often provocative coverage of the American jazz
scene. Relying on an award-winning editorial staff, JazzTimes encompasses special themes, directories, comprehensive news reports and an extensive music review section. JazzTimes is a must-read for the jazz enthusiast. On the web at www.jazztimes.com.
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