Launch2015: Full Schedule

10:30am EDT

VALUE OF EDUCATION (AKA: SPACE ACADEMY)

A discussion on the value of a formal education in music, from conferences & educational seminars to a full-blown degree.

Speakers

Barry Atticks

Director of Music Business Technology, MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY

Dr. Barry Atticks teaches music technology courses at Millersville University. Dr. Atticks holds degrees in Business Management/Piano (B.S.), Commercial Music Composition (M.M), Intelligence/Terrorism (M.S.) and Music Education (Ph.D) from Elizabethtown College, California State University-Los... Read More →

Chrissy Borsellino

Publicity Director, THE CATALYST PUBLICITY GROUP

Chrissy Borsellino graduated from SUNY Oneonta in 2008 with a B . A . in Music Industry. She has over 5 years professional experience in many different aspects of the music business. Her broad background includes stints in concert promotion, music publishing, indie... Read More →

Dakota Gartner

Director of Education Out Reach/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 4FINI INC./ THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Dakota Gartner is in charge of education outreach for 4fini inc. and is creative director for The Entertainment Institute. Dakota started playing music at an early age and quickly became interested in all aspects of the music industry. At age twelve he set up his first concert... Read More →

Jen Kellogg

VANS WARPED TOUR / THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Jen Kellogg is currently the tour accountant for the Vans Warped Tour, co-founder of The Entertainment Institute, and instructor at Columbia College Chicago. Jen started her career at SCOPE Productions at the University of Iowa before becoming a talent buyer at Jam Productions, where... Read More →

Lou Plaia

Co-Founder & CEO, REVERBNATION

In 2006, Plaia co-founded ReverbNation, the leading provider of marketing & business tools for more than 3 million solo artists and bands worldwide. ReverbNation’s innovation is in developing technologies that integrate the wide array of distribution, marketing, and promotional... Read More →

Kevin Rife

Tour Manager, INGRID MICHAELSON

"Kevin Rife is a Freelance Tour Manager who has actively toured the world since 2009. Although he is currently a Tour Manager he has been on full tours and festival runs as a Guitar Tech, Merchandiser, Lighting Director and Production Assistant. He is a graduate of Millersville University... Read More →

Friday April 24, 2015 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

11:30am EDT

PROTECTING WHAT'S YOURS (AKA: INTERSTELLAR DEFENSE)

A discussion on publishing & licensing, placements & sharing, whether you’re soliciting with or selling your music, as well as the perils of piracy.

Speakers

Ted Comerford

LOW WATT LICENSING

Over his 15 years as a producer, Ted has worked for about every major label in some fashion, in addition to some of the biggest producers/mixers in the music business. After being in a band that was signed to Maverick/Warner Bros and EMI publishing, Ted started dipping his toe... Read More →

Joyce Sydnee Dollinger

Attorney, DOLLINGER, GONSKI & GROSSMAN

Joyce Sydnee Dollinger, Esq., “of counsel” at Dollinger, Gonski & Grossman (www.dgglawoffices.com), is a licensed New York and Florida attorney and entrepreneur who has been practicing law and working with entertainment businesses, innovators and individuals for over 15 years... Read More →

Howard Hertz

Co-Founder, HERTZ SCHRAM PC

Howard Hertz co-founded th law firm Hertz Schram PC in 1979. He specializes in entertainment law and is the lead attorney of Hertz Schram's Entertainment Practice Group. Since 1976 he has represented numerous artists and entities in the entertainment field, including authors, filmmakers... Read More →

Jonathan Maisel

Owner, JONATHAN H. MAISEL

Jonathan Maisel is licensed to practice law in New York State and the Southern District of New York federal courts. As a sole practitioner, Jonathan represents clients in a wide range of transactional and litigation matters, including contract negotiations, protection of intellectual... Read More →

Michelle Manghise

Associate Program Director, Music Industry; Assistant Teaching Professor, DREXEL UNIVERSITY

A music industry professional with more than 30 years of international experience representing songwriters and their intellectual property, Michelle has represented the catalogs of the world's most well-respected and influential songwriters, producers and recording artists. A... Read More →

James Shotwell

HAULIX

James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He’s also a seasoned entertainment critic and co-owner of Antique Records. When not sitting in dimly lit theaters eating popcorn or drinking hard cider at your favorite band's next show, he can usually be found sipping coffee... Read More →

Friday April 24, 2015 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

12:45pm EDT

FESTIVALS AND TOURING (AKA: SPACE INVADERS)

The landscape has drastically changed, from seller (agent/artist) to buyer (promoter/talent buyer). Record sales are way down, so touring is way up, as a means to monetize your band. Whether dealing with established or developing artists, find out what the buyer is looking for and why they choose the bands they do. Hear how the agent and artist determine when to tour, how long, on what packages, etc to maximize their worth. An authentic inside perspective view from the people making such decisions daily.

Speakers

Tim Borror

Senior Vice President, THE AGENCY GROUP

Tim Borror is a Senior Vice President in the New York office of The Agency Group. In this role, Borror is responsible for discovering promising new talent, developing careers for his roster of artists and booking large scale tours for some of today’s most influential bands including... Read More →

James Boswell

Artist Manager, GOOD FIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

James Boswell is an artist manager at Good Fight Management, handling the day-to-day affairs of the careers of AUGUST BURNS RED, BALANCE & COMPOSURE, BEHEMOTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, and more. Prior to managing bands, James was a Tour Manager/Live Sound Engineer for 4 years, touring internationally... Read More →

JB Brubaker

Guitarist, AUGUST BURNS RED

JB Brubaker is the lead guitarist and primary song writer for internationally renowned metal band August Burns Red. He has toured over 40 countries and played over 1,300 shows in the band's 10+ years of existence. Brubaker has also been actively involved in the management and... Read More →

David Silbaugh

Talent Buyer, SUMMERFEST / BANSHEE MUSIC / GIBSON GUITARS

David is known as a talent buyer for Summerfest ("The World's Largest Music Festival") and fulfills entertainment relations and production supervisor duties in addition to producing the Emerging Artists Series for the festival. He is also an A&R Consultant for Banshee Music, an Entertainment... Read More →

Mike Ziemer

Owner, THIRD STRING PRODUCTIONS / SOUTH BY SO WHAT?! MUSIC FESTIVAL

Mike Ziemer is a young entrepreneur responsible for founding Third String Productions, South By So What?! Music Festival, and Evolve Music Management. Ziemer started his career in the music industry at the age of 16 helping out friends in local bands & writing for a small online... Read More →

Friday April 24, 2015 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

1:45pm EDT

WEARING MANY HATS - (AKA: COMMANDING THE FLEET)

It's not uncommon for those in the industry to have many irons in the fire, especcialy in todays industry climate. Industry professionals are developing and combining company and revenue streams that compliment each other, under one company umbrella. This panel will discuss how how industry entrepreneurs balance many businesses, manage their time, and deal with previously percieved conflicts of interest, under this new model.

Speakers

Vince Edwards

Head of Publicity / Social Media, METAL BLADE RECORDS

Vince Edwards started at Metal Blade during the summer of 2007. He serves as the head of publicity, in addition to handling radio promotions. Since joining the Metal Blade team, he's built the social media department, and tackled various projects involving: graphic design, video editing/directing... Read More →

Mike Mowery

Co-Founder & CEO, OUTERLOOP MANAGEMENT

Mike Mowery is the President and Managing Partner of Outerloop Management. He began the company with Jeff Cohen in 2004. With Mike's extensive knowledge of the road and what it takes to make a band survive along his partner's legal background and extensive network, Outerloop... Read More →

Randy Nichols

Manager, FORCE MEDIA MANAGEMENT / ATVENU / BANDSINTOWN

Randy Nichols has guided my artists to several Gold records and Grammy nominations. Overseen releases and sold out tours on six continents. His acts have seen a combined sales of over 3 million records and $10 million plus dollars in merchandise sales. He manages or has managed Bayside... Read More →

Mike Ziemer

Owner, THIRD STRING PRODUCTIONS / SOUTH BY SO WHAT?! MUSIC FESTIVAL

Friday April 24, 2015 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

3:00pm EDT

MARKETING YOUR BAND (AKA: THE LONE SIGNAL)

Social media, print media, image development, aesthetic, etc. With so many marketing stratagies out there, how do you choose the BEST, most comprehensive, efficient, and EFFECTIVE way to market your band or brand? Listen to industry innovators talk about how they've managed to make their artists and brands stand out among the rest.

Speakers

Jen Appel

CEO & Publicity Director, THE CATALYST PUBLICITY GROUP

South Florida native, Jen Appel graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors in Communication and Culture and Barry University with a Masters in Corporate Communications and Public Relations. With over 7 years of professional experience in the Public Relations industry working... Read More →

Vince Edwards

Head of Publicity / Social Media, METAL BLADE RECORDS

Lou Plaia

Co-Founder & CEO, REVERBNATION

Nikhil Potdar

Creative/Marketing Director, OUTERLOOP MANAGEMENT

Nikhil Potdar is the Creative/Marketing Director of Outerloop Management. He joined the company in 2009, establishing the company's New Media and Digital Marketing department. The department developed into a diverse promotional machine for Outerloop’s roster and branded tours.Nikhil’s... Read More →

Andrew Zell

Art Director/Marketing Director, THE CI COMPANIES

Andrew Zell is the art director for both the LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival and CI Records, as well as a musician and tour manager. Besides developing visual assets for bands such as AUGUST BURNS RED, TEXAS IN JULY, CAROUSEL KINGS, and ONE YEAR LATER, Zell works on planning and... Read More →

Friday April 24, 2015 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

3:30pm EDT

Debra Zuke Vocal Clinic

Speakers

Deborah "Zuke" Smith

Founder, ZUKETUNES

Deborah “Zuke” Smith, founder of zuketunes LLC (www.zuketunes.com), is a vocal coach and artist mentor based in the NYC metro area. She has worked with many types of artists including Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), several finalists on The Voice, X-Factor, American Idol, and... Read More →

Friday April 24, 2015 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Lobby 23 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA

Conference

3:30pm EDT

Matthew Greiner & Adam Gray Drum Clinic

Speakers

Adam Gray

Drummer, TEXAS IN JULY

As the drummer for the Lancaster-based TEXAS IN JULY, Adam Gray has toured North America, Europe, Asia and Australia nonstop for the past 4 years. His acrobatic drumming talents have seen him appear on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno after a video of him juggling 3 sticks while playing... Read More →

Matthew Greiner

Drummer, AUGUST BURNS RED / GREINER KILMER DRUMS

Matt Greiner plays drums for August Burns Red. In 2011 he started Greiner Kilmer Co with friend and business partner, Kaleb Kilmer. His interests include teaching drums, traveling the world with ABR, working on the family farm, and spending time outside and with family.

Friday April 24, 2015 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center

Conference

10:20am EDT

TURN YOUR CAREER UP TO 11

Join Kevin Lyman, Jen Kellogg for an in depth look at how to launch your career both as an artist and a music business professional. In either case, you need to THINK like an entrepreneur to turn your career up to 11. They will share practical tips and real world advice.

Speakers

Jen Kellogg

VANS WARPED TOUR / THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

A constant innovator, Kevin Lyman is best known as the producer and creator of the extremely successful Vans Warped Tour, the longest running traveling music festival in the world today. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the tour has played to over 9 million fans. Kevin... Read More →

Saturday April 25, 2015 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

11:25am EDT

SPOTLIGHT: ARTIST MANAGER

A one on one interview between Kevin Lyman and Mike Mowery.

Moderators

Dakota Gartner

Director of Education Out Reach/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 4FINI INC./ THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

Speakers

Mike Mowery

Co-Founder & CEO, OUTERLOOP MANAGEMENT

Saturday April 25, 2015 11:25am - 11:50am EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

11:50am EDT

SPOTLIGHT: TALENT AGENT

A one on one interview between Kevin Lyman and Nick Storch.

Moderators

Dakota Gartner

Director of Education Out Reach/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 4FINI INC./ THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

Speakers

Nick Storch

Talent Agent, AGI

Nick Storch is an agent for Artist Group International, a talent agency representing clients in the fields of music, comedy and sports. Founded by CEO Dennis Arfa some 30 years ago, AGI, one of the top independent booking agencies in the world, with such clients as Billy Joe... Read More →

Saturday April 25, 2015 11:50am - 12:15pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

12:25pm EDT

SETTLEMENT SERIES: PART 1

Deal structures for artist payments: flat fee vs percentage of ticket sales, promoter profit and versus.

Moderators

Jen Kellogg

VANS WARPED TOUR / THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Saturday April 25, 2015 12:25pm - 12:50pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

12:50pm EDT

SPOTLIGHT: CONCERT PROMOTER

A one on one interview between Kevin Lyman and Jeremy Weiss.

Moderators

Dakota Gartner

Director of Education Out Reach/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 4FINI INC./ THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

Speakers

Jeremy Weiss

Owner, THE CI COMPANIES / LAUNCH MUSIC CONFERENCE

Jeremy Weiss has owned & operated independent record label CI Records for more than 20 years, working with veterans and new artists alike. Most recently the label has helped launch the careers of bands such as AUGUST BURNS RED, THE PINK SPIDERS, and TEXAS IN JULY. 2 years ago... Read More →

Saturday April 25, 2015 12:50pm - 1:15pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

1:25pm EDT

SETTLEMENT SERIES: PART 2

Tour Budgets: For all levels of touring.

Moderators

Jen Kellogg

VANS WARPED TOUR / THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Saturday April 25, 2015 1:25pm - 1:50pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

1:50pm EDT

SPOTLIGHT: TOUR MANAGER

A one on one interview between Kevin Lyman and a special guest tour manager.

Moderators

Dakota Gartner

Director of Education Out Reach/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 4FINI INC./ THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

Speakers

Kevin Rife

Tour Manager, INGRID MICHAELSON

Saturday April 25, 2015 1:50pm - 2:15pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

2:30pm EDT

CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH? (AKA: The Empire Strikes Back)

Our most popular panel returns!!! How confident are you in your music? How much do you want real feedback from people who have to work with music every day? Artists will submit their music and those submissions are reviewed PUBLICLY to the entire panel with brutally honest feedback from the panelists. Think of it like our version American Idol. Get the critique you crave from the experts.. IF you can handle the truth!

Speakers

Chuck Andrews

Supreme Leader / President / VP of Operations / Mailroom / Creator of Titles, GOOD FIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

As a member of the management team at Good Fight Entertainment, Chuck Andrews manages the careers of artists such as AUGUST BURNS RED, BALANCE AND COMPUSRE, BEHEMOTH,CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEFEATER and more. In addition, Andrews also spent years of his life on the road tour managing bands... Read More →

Tim Borror

Senior Vice President, THE AGENCY GROUP

JB Brubaker

Guitarist, AUGUST BURNS RED

Vince Edwards

Head of Publicity / Social Media, METAL BLADE RECORDS

Howard Hertz

Co-Founder, HERTZ SCHRAM PC

Kevin Lyman

Owner, THE VANS WARPED TOUR / ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM

Michelle Manghise

Associate Program Director, Music Industry; Assistant Teaching Professor, DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Mike Mowery

Co-Founder & CEO, OUTERLOOP MANAGEMENT

Randy Nichols

Manager, FORCE MEDIA MANAGEMENT / ATVENU / BANDSINTOWN

Lou Plaia

Co-Founder & CEO, REVERBNATION

David Silbaugh

Talent Buyer, SUMMERFEST / BANSHEE MUSIC / GIBSON GUITARS

Carson Slovak

Owner & Producer, ATRIUM AUDIO

Carson Slovak is a music producer and co-owner of Atrium Audio, a boutique recording studio based in Lancaster, PA. After years of touring nationally in his bands ArmsBendBack (Trustkill Records) and Century (Prosthetic Records), Slovak teamed up with fellow musician and producer... Read More →

Mike Ziemer

Owner, THIRD STRING PRODUCTIONS / SOUTH BY SO WHAT?! MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday April 25, 2015 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lancaster County Convention Center - Vine Street Annex 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Conference

4:00pm EDT

ATTENDEE APPRECIATION PARTY

Sponsors

Conference