From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Best Annual Event

October 18 2006

Winter Music Conference
March 23-28, Miami and Miami Beach, Wmcon.com

The biggest gathering of dance-music professionals in the world, the annual Winter Music Conference is ostensibly one giant networking event during which aspiring DJs, producers and other industry types can learn the tricks of the trade from people who are never -- and we mean never -- seen indoors without their sunglasses on. We kid, we kid. But honestly, the reason WMC is so popular has less to do with the turntable workshops and marketing seminars it offers than with the attendant parties that take place in nightclubs throughout South Beach. The world's top drum 'n' bass, trance and hip-hop DJs can be found the week of WMC, which generally takes place in late May, working crowds into a sweat at venues such as Mansion and Space. Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox and Oscar G are just a few of the world-renowned DJs who make their presence felt during the event. WMC peaks with the corresponding, daylong Ultra Music Festival, which features performances by more than 200 DJs and bands.