(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) –The Roadwork ‘05: The Billboard Touring Conference taking place October 25-26 at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City has set its panels. “Billboard has assembled an elite group of touring professionals for Roadwork ‘05,” commented Ray Waddell, Billboard senior editor for touring. “This conference will give attendees a better perspective on the state of the touring industry and will also provide them with excellent networking opportunities with top players in the concert business.”
The panels:
October 25:
Take the Money and Run –Has the concert industry become strictly a checkbook business? Promoters, managers and agents will discuss the state of the art of the deal today and whether money is the only consideration. The moderator is Alex Hodges, executive VP, House of Blues Concerts, and the panelists are
Dennis Arfa, president, Artists Group International;
Charles Attal, president, Charles Attal Presents;
Chip Hooper, senior agent, Monterey Peninsula Artists;
Doc McGhee, president, McGhee Entertainment;
Simon Renshaw, president, Strategic Artist Management; and
Bob Roux, president, PACE Concerts.
I Fought the Law (sponsored by Segal McCambridge Singer Mahoney, Ltd) –When the plug is pulled or a show goes bad, who is responsible? This panel will deal with legal issues in the touring industry, including examining some high-profile cases and liability concerns. The modereator is Susan Butler, senior editor Legal/Publishing, Billboard, and the panelists are
Matthew Burrows, Esq., attorney, Lapidus & Haft, LLP;
Bob Donnelly, attorney, Law Offices of Bob Donnelly;
Ricardo Garcia-Moreno, attorney, Winsteed Sechrest & Miniat P.C.;
Neil Glazer, general counsel & director of Business Development, Madison House Inc ;and
Jeffrey Singer, attorney/partner, Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd.
On The Radio –What is radio's role today in the concert business? Why are radio station 'presents' increasingly a thing of the past, and what is the impact? Have radio shows killed the touring festival? Where does satellite radio fit in? How will the iPod and personal DJ-ing change the model? The moderator is Bill Reid, president, Rising Tide Productions, and the panelists are Andy Cirzan, VP, concerts, Jam Productions;
Ken Fermaglich, agent, The Agency Group;
Patterson Hood, artist, Drive-By Truckers;
Eric Logan, executive VP, Programming, XM Satellite Radio;
Greg Oswald, senior VP, Williams Morris Agency; and
Tom Poleman, senior VP, Clear Channel New York.
Genre Roundtables –Each roundtable will examine the pertinent issues in genre-based touring, headed by an expert in the field. Topics include:
Country: Rod Essig, agent, Creative Artists Agency;
Latin: Kate Ramos, SVP, Clear Channel Latin;
Hip-Hop: Stephanie Mahler, agent, Monterey Peninsula Artists Paradigm;
Rock/Metal: Tim Borror, Agent, ahe Agency Group;
Jam Band: Mike Luba, president, Madison House;
Jazz/Blues: Bruce Houghton, president, Skyline Music;
Pop: David Zedeck, agent, Creative Artists Agency.
October 26:
Rock This Town –When routing a tour, choosing the right venue in each market is crucial. Representatives from clubs, theaters, amphitheaters, stadiums, arenas and other venues will discuss the state of their business and the current deal structures. The moderator is Pam Matthews, general manager, Ryman Auditorium ,and the panelists are
Marty Diamond, Owner/Agent, Little Big Man Booking:
Mike Evans, Senior VP, Sports and Entertainment, SMG;
Jay Marciano, president, Radio City Entertainment;
John Meglen, co-CEO, Concerts West;
John Moore, talent buyer, The Bowery Ballroom/The Bowery Presents; and
Charlie Walker, COO, North American Music, Clear Channel Entertainment.
Dancing in the Moonlight –Festivals such as Bonnaroo, Coachella, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival have changed the face of the modern day U.S. rock festival, in many ways taking their cues from venerable European fests.
The moderator is Marcie Allen Cardwell, president, MAC Presents, and the panelists are
Ashley Capps, owner, A.C. Entertainment;
Peter Conlon, president, Peter Conlon Presents;
Tony Conway, president, Buddy Lee Attractions;
Stuart Galbraith, director of festivals, Clear Channel Entertainment, UK; and
Charlie Jones, Principal, executive producer, Capital Sports & Entertainment.
Change My Ways of Thinkin' –Top execs in the music industry discuss business in 2005. Did the industry learn anything from the 2004 bloodbath? Should we be more focused on customer service? Do we know our audience? Hear these power players weigh in on the state of the music industry.
The Moderator is Tamara Conniff, Co-executive Editor, Billboard, and the panelists are Paul McGuinness, managing director, Principle Management;
Merck Mercuriadis, CEO, Sanctuary Artists;
Jerry Mickelson, co-CEO, Jam Productions;
Randy Phillips, CEO, AEG Live;
Michael Rapino, CEO Global Music, Clear Channel Entertainment and ;
Neil Warnock, CEO, The Agency Group.
Help! –The record business has been turned upside down in the new millennium. Tour support dollars are drying up. The entire label paradigm is being reinvented. Where does touring fit in the modern day record business? How have touring/label relations changed? Who has the leverage?
The moderator is Dave Kirby, president, TKO, and the panelists are
Liana Farnham, VP Tour Marketing, Sony Music;
Harlan Frey, senior Director of Touring/Artist Development, Roadrunner Records;
Harvey Leeds, senior VP Artist Development, Epic Records;
Ken Levitan, owner, Vector Management;
Heath Miller, president, Excess dB Entertainment; and
John Scher, co-CEO/ Manager, Metropolitan Talent.
Issue Rountables:
Ticketing: Marla Hoicowitz, executive VP, Ticketmaster;
International: Rob Markus, international agent, William Morris Agency;
Security: Bart Butler, president, Rock Solid Security;
Merchandise: Jeffery Bischoff, president, Cinder Block;
Sponsorships: Bill Chipps, senior editor, IEG Sponsorship Report;
Production/Travel: David Bernstein, CEO, Rock-It Cargo;
Online Marketing: Geno Yoham, executive director, AOL Tickets/CityGuide;
Staying Clean and Sober on the Road: Bill Teuttleberg, Caron Foundation & Hired Power.
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
