Winter Music Conference was March 25-28 at the Faena complex in Miami Beach.

So, I went to check out the new WMC this year. Gotta say I loved it. The new location is beautiful. The vibe was positive and buzzing. Maybe I’m biased because I love being around music biz people, but that is certainly how it felt to me.

It was definitely smaller than back in the heyday, but I heard quite a few people remark that they hoped it would grow in its new home. It does seem like there is still a desire for a professional industry gathering, which is good.

It was well organized. The signage was plentiful and clear, something I am a real stickler about. The staff was polite and helpful, something that is not always common.

They had a nice variety of workshop sessions, including a few that covered more uncomfortable, but necessary, topics, such as mental health issues. There were demos and tutorials, and the modest exhibit hall had quite a bit of gear that attendees could test out.

I think the one thing I missed the most was a talent showcase. I like those a lot. Also, the networking at the Tree of Life was too loosely organized. I would have like to have seen some better management of that. Making connections is really one of the most powerful aspects of a conference, and they let it slide by the wayside this year.

All in all, it seemed a positive and upbeat restart to the brand. I look forward to future iterations as they grow. Below are a few photos of the various spaces and the IDMA after-party.