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International Music Summit returns to Ibiza with a Wellness agenda for 2018

The 11th edition of IMS Ibiza examines the most crucial issues that face the industry, placing special attention on health and wellness for mind and body, and alleged sexual harassment within the genre

International Music Summit (IMS), the premier global platform for business, culture and education within the electronic music industry, returns to the dance music capital of the world for its annual three-day educational, inspirational and motivational thought-leadership forum. Aimed squarely at industry leaders and artists from the international electronic music sector, it throws a spotlight onto the complex challenges and emerging opportunities that really matter in today’s ever evolving industry.

Following the success of the 10th Anniversary event earlier in the year, today IMS announce the key themes for its 11th summit on May 23-25th 2018. The platform, previously described as “the TED of music conferences”, has been responsible for leading initiatives that have resulted in positive change within the electronic music industry and it continues to set the agenda for the genre across the world in Europe, North America and Asia.

New for 2018 is a three-day Wellness retreat, taking place before the main IMS summit at a soon-to-be-revealed location. The electronic music industry is a fast-paced environment, with busy days and late nights. As many industry players will recognise this demanding lifestyle can take its toll on the body and mind over time, and the Wellness event has been designed to address this prevalent issue. Tailored for the dance music community, the pre-summit event will help industry veterans and newcomers alike to disconnect from everyday stress and clear the mind, setting the foundation for meaningful work and providing tools to stay focused, relaxed and rejuvenated. The new intimate event will be announced in full in January.

Continuing its support of international music, IMS Ibiza flies the South African flag with MEET TEAM BLACK COFFEE. The multi-award winning DJ has had a meteoric rise to fame and has just finished a first successful summer residency at Hï Ibiza. From management to agent to Ibiza promoter, IMS will bring in Black Coffee and his full team to discuss his own unique and inspiring path to success, the role the team played on this journey, the many challenges he undoubtedly faced and their aspirations for the future.

With each year comes milestones and achievements celebrated by labels, artists and events alike, with 2018 being no exception. Firstly, 25 YEARS OF SONAR: SHAPING UNDERGROUND CULTURE, the world-renowned Barcelona festival will discuss its achievements and explain its extraordinary and innovative contribution to the genre. Joining the celebration with an equally impressive milestone is 25 YEARS OF POSITIVA RECORDS. The pioneering UK major label is known for breaking underground tracks into the popular mainstream and the talk will have a special focus on HOW THE ROLE OF THE A&R MAN HAS EVOLVED in the last 25 years. Leading this will be the label’s leading A&R directors throughout the time – Jason Ellis, Nick Halkes and Dave Lambert.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN DJ CULTURE is a real and unwelcome problem. SHE SAID.SO, an influential network of women in the industry, will chair a talk intended to assess the impact of the issue specifically to electronic music, detect root causes and endeavour to reduce its existence within the industry with a series of actionable recommendations.

IMS will also give geographical focus on the MIDDLE EAST a promising new growth region for electronic music with a growing appetite for the genre, highlighting breakthrough talent, the marketplace and key opportunities within it covering UAE, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.

Health and wellness will continue to be a focus with insight into the mental wellbeing of DJs, a long ignored problem that is sadly troubling a high proportion of artists, from breaking through to established talent. IMS Ibiza will ask is it, DJS COMPLAINING OR REAL PROBLEMS? This frank and open mental health discussion will be hosted by the Association for Electronic Music and will give vital advice on how to stay sane in the game and remain successful. Continuing the focus of wellness into the summit, IMS delegates will benefit from daily yoga and meditation sessions, reminding all of the importance of balance and self care.

IMS continues to support the future of our industry with the return of IMS VISIONARIES, in partnership with Mixmag, a global search for electronic music’s next generation of influencers, and an original programme aimed at and focused on supporting the next generation of start-ups called IMS ACCELERATOR.

IMS Ibiza 2018 will also feature discussions hosted by BURN RESIDENCY, KID TALKS, SHESAID.SOand YOUNG GUNS NETWORK. Plus more discussions on BLOCKCHAIN, BOTS, and not forgetting the return of the much-loved masterclass session IMS ANTHEM!

IMS co-founder Ben Turner states: “Health Vs Hedonism was our most popular talk in 2017, and it put us on the path of delivering more in the Wellness area for delegates. It’s a topic that is marrying professionals of all ages and gender, and we’re excited to offer something unique to an industry that is in need of greater advice and direction. It also affects many of the issues in our space, and people’s behavioural patterns around it. We’re also proud to focus on Black Coffee, Sonar and Positiva for their contributions to our world – past, present and future.”

Education partners POINT BLANK MUSIC SCHOOL, BERKLEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC and TOOLROOM ACADEMY will also be present at IMS Ibiza, joining them will be founding partner PIONEER DJ and returning sponsor BURN.

The 11th edition of IMS Ibiza offers for the first time a more accessible pricing structure, allowing you to choose your summit experience from three tailored packages. Additionally, there is a special discount for students and younger delegates wanting to attend, with all badges allowing entrance into selected Ibiza clubs over the duration of IMS week. Full details can be found below, listed badge prices will increase at the beginning of each month.