Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards Set for November
The Awards (formerly known as the Billboard Touring Conference and Awards) will take place in Los Angeles on Nov. 13 and 14.
The 2018 Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards (formerly known as the Billboard Touring Conference and Awards) will take place at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Nov. 13-14. The 15th annual event celebrating the best in live music, comedy and entertainment will gather the industry’s insiders, top decision-makers, power players and some of the biggest stars in music, comedy and live entertainment to discuss emerging trends and the storylines that are driving the business.
“This year’s Billboard Live Music Summit will be the most consequential event in live entertainment,” said John Amato, CEO of The Hollywood Reporter–Billboard Media Group in a statement about the event that will look at the momentum for diversity and inclusion in the business, as well as sessions aimed at creating the music industry’s first inclusivity rider for touring and the technology shift toward blockchain. “We will present a 360-degree look at the challenges and opportunities in the industry as well as engage all stakeholders to help set the path forward.”
The Billboard Live Awards will kick off on Nov. 13 with the first-ever Live Comedy award to comedian/actor Sebastian Maniscalco, currently on the second leg of his “Stay Hungry” tour, which is selling out marquee venues including New York’s Radio City Music Hall and L.A.’s Greek Theatre. The event will also once again present the Legend of Live Award to an artist that has made a significant and lasting impact on the touring industry; past recipients include Bon Jovi, Bob Seger, Neil Young, Elton John and Lionel Richie. Among the other awards to be handed out are the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the first-ever Artist of the Year honor for a remarkable year in touring.
“This year’s Live Music Summit celebrates the exchange of ideas in an open environment that gives voice to the concerns and aspirations of all attendees,” said Dave Brooks, Billboard’s senior correspondent for Touring and Live Entertainment in a statement. “The summit is an opportunity to expand our understanding of our fans and the overall live experience. In the coming weeks and months we’ll be announcing new speakers, keynote interviews and artist panels, so please stay tuned!”
Last year’s line-up included discussions with Jay Marciano, Chairman/CEO of AEG Presents; Louis Messina, CEO of Messina Touring Group and Ty Stiklorius, CEO of Friends at Work, as well as artists including Diplo, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, X Ambassadors, comedian Hasan Minhaj, Matoma and Lil Dickey. The 2017 event also honored Everytown for Gun Safety with an award presented by director J.J. Abrams.
For more information on this year’s Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards click here.
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