Winter Music Conference 2026 x Miami Music Week
Background
We Group delivered the 36th edition of Winter Music Conference (WMC), marking the return of one of electronic music’s most influential global gatherings. A cornerstone of Miami Music Week since 1985, WMC continues to shape the culture and direction of the international dance music industry, bringing together artists, executives, promoters, brands and emerging talent from across the world.
Hosted at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami, the official Miami Music Week hotel, this sold-out, three-day conference transformed the venue into a central hub for the electronic music community. Our programme combined industry insight, artist development and networking under one unified event experience, while also offering additional live music pool parties and events for those looking to party throughout the week.
Two distinct content streams, Industry and Creators, delivered 38 conference sessions across panels, workshops, A&R meet-and-greets, networking mixers and an interactive gear exhibition hall. Key speakers and guests included Armin van Buuren and Sara Landry, alongside a diverse range of artists, industry executives and innovators – providing insight on everything from DJ culture and AI to streaming, creative ownership and the evolving future of electronic music.
Our teams worked with globally recognised brands including adidas, Beatport, L-Acoustics, AlphaTheta and TikTok Live, alongside a range of other partners and industry leaders, helping deliver impactful activations, industry conversations and brand experiences throughout WMC.
Beyond the conference programme, We Group delivered three poolside label showcases in partnership with Beatport Live, featuring Mood Child, Rekids and Hot Creations. Evening activity continued through the launch of We Group Hi-Fi, a free nightlife series hosted at Miami Sound Bar, featuring label takeovers from Brobot Records, Free Your Mind by Arielle Free, and The Disco Express.
We Group delivered this event from concept curation, programming, speaker management and sponsorship through to marketing strategy and implementation, on-site build and live event delivery – bringing together the electronic music community from across the global for the revival of this iconic event.
Delivery
- Directed the strategic planning and live delivery of Winter Music Conference across conference programming, brand partnerships, marketing and production
- Delivered an integrated marketing campaign across ticketing, website, email marketing and WMC social media channels
- Designed and produced a multi-space event environment across the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, integrating conference programming, networking areas and poolside activations
- Curated and delivered a structured content programme tailored to both Industry and Creator audiences, including 38 conference sessions across three days
- Produced three poolside label showcases in partnership with Beatport Live as fully integrated extensions of the core conference experience
- Created and launched We Group Hi-Fi, a free evening event series designed to broaden accessibility and expand audience engagement during Miami Music Week
- Managed complex stakeholder coordination across international artists, partners, sponsors, venue teams and technical suppliers during a high-profile relaunch year
- Oversaw live event logistics, scheduling, production management and partner integration across multiple concurrent event formats
- Delivered a cohesive audience experience that successfully blended conference programming, nightlife, brand activation and live performance
Results
- Successfully re-established Winter Music Conference as a major fixture within the Miami Music Week calendar
- Sold out event
- Generated an estimated $212,000 in earned media value, driven by more than 4.4 million views, 300+ media placements and 100+ social media posts
- Delivered strong engagement across conference sessions, networking events, poolside label showcases and evening programming
- Created high-impact partner integration opportunities that enhanced both commercial value and attendee experience
- Expanded audience reach through free-to-attend nightlife programming and community-focused events
- Received positive feedback from artists, industry professionals, delegates and commercial partners
- Established a strong operational and commercial foundation for future editions under We Group leadership
Press
“ELECTRONIC MUSIC’S MOST INFLUENTIAL INDUSTRY GATHERING” SPIN Magazine
“The conference delivered some of the most impressive programming the forum has seen in years.” EDM Identity
“WMC 2026 was an outstanding event, giving attendees an up close and personal look at not only the artists, but the people and the brands that make up the whole dance music industry.” EDM Tunes
Testimonials
“The event was amazing! everything from the speakers to the panels to the other attendees. Everybody was so warm, welcoming, and friendly, you really did an incredible job. It sounded like everybody was extremely excited to have the conference back up and running in full swing and I look forward to coming back in the years to come.” Adam Rapchik, Head of Festival and Expo Partnerships, Stubhub
“Everything was great: the panels, the participants, the overall atmosphere. I really enjoyed my time and made some great connections.” Pierre-Alban Mulliez, Co-founder & CEO, Claimy