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WMC & Ultra no longer the same week

Techno Kelvin

Techno Kelvin

WMC is March 8th - 11th 2011 and at a Convention Center? Wow.

Ultra is March 25th - 27th, 2011.

ASOT will be on the 26th and even when they announced it they said during WMC.

What a stupid move.

Thoughts?

EDIT: Also, Ultra is 3 days now which is going to be a nightmare. Yeah, more talent and performances but my MD & I were lucky enough to get media access last year and we were dead tired from navigating Ultra for 2 days, 3 days is going to be a joyous hell. Ugh.
 
Heck, I'm getting laid off on January 31st. Hopefully I can find a job somehow and even if I do, I still may not be able to go to the Winter Music Conference since I would be the "low man on the totem pole". :(

As for the separation of the events I think, and just my opinion, the WMC wants to get back to its "roots" as an actual conference regarding the dance music industry instead of just one big "party" which it had been over the years. To get the Miami Beach Convention Center instead of ballrooms at hotels is HUGE. That's just my guess....that happens while the college/20 something crowd that goes partying will head down to Ultra for that week.

3 days? Electric Zoo is thinking about that too. For what it is, 2 days is fine....I think a third day will tire the heck out of a lot of people.
 
FOLLOW UP:

I'm going! You know, sometimes in life when the chips are down and things seem tough this is the case where you face adversity DEAD ON and just say "eff it!" :) If you are going to the WMC, I will see you there if not sooner :)
 
That's great news! I normally don't attend WMC because of work / I didn't leave the company on the best terms. Granted if I can get some interviews I'll be there.

When I worked there in 2009, a big aspect of WMC was the parties that happened during the week. They were always negotiating with clubs to get "WMC Delegates" in for free, discounted rates, etc. Besides, "The List" is a website / booklet / ad revenue for WMC and the parties during the week. While some might consider it noble they are trying to be more a conference instead of a big party, they are going to take a huge hit in the wallet for this move.

A lot of people bought tickets to WMC because they got into Ultra also for free. With Ultra spanning 3 days "Holiday" ticket rates are already $179 and that will go up. $200+ for WMC and now $200+ for Ultra? That's not going to turn out well for WMC.

I'm sorry but a lot of people book hotels, planet tickets, etc. for the last week in March for WMC/Ultra. Even Armin himself said ASOT500 would happen on 3-26-11 during WMC week. I doubt him and others will move everything to follow WMC in the first week of March. Instead I feel the last week in March will be more of an Ultra week.

I honestly feel WMC thinks they have more of a pull than they actually do.
 
There is absolutely no way I would be able to attend both, and probably wont be able to go to Miami for more than 2 or 3 days this year anyway,. It doesnt help that it takes me about 2 days to drive there, id be better off flying. But then I wouldnt have a car when I got there.
 
Techno Kelvin said:
That's great news! I normally don't attend WMC because of work / I didn't leave the company on the best terms. Granted if I can get some interviews I'll be there.

When I worked there in 2009, a big aspect of WMC was the parties that happened during the week. They were always negotiating with clubs to get "WMC Delegates" in for free, discounted rates, etc. Besides, "The List" is a website / booklet / ad revenue for WMC and the parties during the week. While some might consider it noble they are trying to be more a conference instead of a big party, they are going to take a huge hit in the wallet for this move.

A lot of people bought tickets to WMC because they got into Ultra also for free. With Ultra spanning 3 days "Holiday" ticket rates are already $179 and that will go up. $200+ for WMC and now $200+ for Ultra? That's not going to turn out well for WMC.

I'm sorry but a lot of people book hotels, planet tickets, etc. for the last week in March for WMC/Ultra. Even Armin himself said ASOT500 would happen on 3-26-11 during WMC week. I doubt him and others will move everything to follow WMC in the first week of March. Instead I feel the last week in March will be more of an Ultra week.

I honestly feel WMC thinks they have more of a pull than they actually do.
Click to expand...

Another story that I'm hearing (based on some posts in FB about it) is that the organizers of "Ultra" allegedly pulled a "fast one" and switched the date on the WMC organizers. I don't know how valid that is or not....just what I'm hearing. Though it should be interesting.....those that are really there for Ultra will crowd up the hotels that week, and those that want to attend the WMC and the parties associated with that will go prior.

Either or, the REAL winner.....City of Miami Beach for the $$$$$$ they'll rake in on tourism for TWO weeks instead of one.
 
I admit that being a fan, more so than a bussiness excect im there more for Ultra,, but their are certain people I like to talk to,, and still loads of people I want to meet, some of these will now avoid Ultra like the swine flu.
 
My God what a shit storm this has become!

WMC blames Ultra for breaching contract and switching dates on them.

This is insane.

WMC Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winter-Music-Conference-Inc

Ultra Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ultrafanpage

One rumor is WMC couldn't book a hotel during it's own week and had no choice but to move to the Miami Convention Center and the beginning of March.

Ultra, knowing most parties / people plan to be in Miami at the end of March, left them high and dry and kept their usual dates.

On one hand Ultra would be nothing without WMC even though Ultra has gotten so big it no longer needs them.

On the other hand WMC ALWAYS books their hotels around this time. From a business standpoint I don't understand why they wait so long and don't book this way in advance.

Is Ultra really expected to follow WMC to the start of March because they wait until last minute to book a venue?

I can't believe all the drama. What a slap in the face you can't get a hotel during the week you created and made famous.

EDIT:

Bill Kelly, part found of WMC, speaks out:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652565/20101118/story.jhtml?xrs=share_fb

WMC Press Release
http://wintermusicconference.com/eblasts/2011/ultra_release/index.htm

Owner of Club Space Speaks Out:
http://digi10ve.com/2010/11/17/club-space-owner-speaks-out-about-wmc/

MTV Covers Story:
http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/11/17/ultra-music-festival-2011/
 
It is weird that the WMC has 4 official hotels this time around (I'm staying at the Courtyard at Marriott......the two "boutique" ones are too rich for my blood and the other hotel up Collins (where they usually book the WMC hotels) is a bit far from the action.)

Something tells me as we get closer to the event, more crap is going to go down. This really is crazy.
 
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