The debut Michigan Music Business Conference kicked off in 2023, born out of a desire to expand Michigan's presence as a hub for music business education, recruitment, and opportunity. We wanted to create a space where students and professionals could collide, sparking conversations that would shape the future of the industry.

The first MMBC Conference began with an unforgettable morning keynote, “Working Your Way Up,” featuring Rob Gibbs, Partner and Co-Head of UTA Atlanta. Gibbs shared his journey, from grinding his way through the early days of being an agent to eventually climbing the fiercely competitive ranks at UTA, where he now helms the Atlanta office. His story set the tone for the day: inspiring, real, and all about making your mark.

After a quick networking and coffee chat hour, we dove into the “Up Next” panel with Sylvie Konner, Tyler Eilenberg, and Jon Sumner. This panel was designed to bring fresh perspectives from younger industry professionals, all about navigating the early stages of their careers, innovating in real time, and giving us a glimpse of what the future holds. With Sylvie from AG Artists, Tyler from Republic Records, and Jon from Spotify, the conversation was a mix of hard truths and exciting possibilities—exactly the kind of energy we wanted to channel.

Then came the “Artist 360” panel featuring Noah Simon, Garret Koehler, and Justin Scarbrough. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build and sustain an artist's career, this panel covered it all—touring, management, licensing, and brand partnerships. Noah from UTA, Garret from Assemble Sound, and Justin from EQT gave us a glimpse into how the modern artist is supported from every angle.

We wrapped the day with a powerful keynote conversation with Lee Dannay, Head of A&R at Thirty Tigers. A&R can seem quite ambiguous to someone new to the music industry, but Lee broke it down for us, sharing what it really takes to succeed in this space, and how the role can vary depending on the company, background, and skill set of the A&R person. It was the perfect way to cap off the day—practical, insightful, and motivating.

Through incredible speakers, engaged attendees, and the support of our sponsors, including our headline sponsor United Talent Agency, the success of the first Michigan Music Business Conference was tremendous. With over 250 attendees, it set the stage for what’s sure to be an exciting future of conferences to come.