Second Wave of Guests Announced for 2011!

We are happy to announce our next wave of special guests for LAUNCH 2011!

Returning in 2011 is Grammy Chapter Board Adviser and talent buyer for Summerfest (certified by the Guiness Book of Records as the "Worlds Largest Music Festival"!) David Silbaugh! David will be joined by Matthew "Portland" Hay of Sons of Nero/Good Fight Entertainment, Felix DeLuna of DDrum, Billy O'Brien of Anchor & Hope Music and Daniel DeFonce of Love As Arson Booking Agency. For more information on these industry professionals, please visit the panels and panelists page of our website here.

We'll be announcing even more panelists soon in addition to exciting news about headliners, sponsors, special events, and more - so stay tuned!!!

First sponsors announced for LAUNCH 2011!

LAUNCH is proud to announce its first sponsors for 2011! Without these great companies and brands, we wouldn't be able to bring you the event that we do!

Headlining this first wave of sponsors is PERFORMER MAGAZINE, a nationally distributed musician's trade publication, which focuses on independent musicians - both the unsigned and those on small labels, and their success in a DIY environment. The magazine is dedicated to promoting lesser-known talent and being the first to introduce readers to artists they should know about.

Joining PERFORMER in sponsoring the event is ATTICUS BLACK CLOTHING - a leader in fashion that is firmly grounded in the culture of music. ATTICUS was founded by BLINK 182's Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, no strangers to either music of fashion, as well as BLACK LODGE PUBLICITY, DEAN GUITAR, DDRUM, SONIC BIDS, ATRIUM AUDIO, THE CI COMPANIES and DECADENT SUITE RECORDS.

For more information on our sponsors, make sure you visit the Sponsor Page on our website. Make sure you support these fine brands and stay tuned for more news announcements about LAUNCH 2011!

First Guests Announced for LAUNCH 2011!

We are excited to announce our first wave of panelists for LAUNCH 2011!

Returning in 2011 is Dean Guitars head of artist relations Josh Maloney! Josh will be joined by first time LAUNCH panelists Mark Bubb of Atticus Clothing, Mike Mowery of Outerloop Management, Todd Erickson of Masterkey Management and Leah Urbano of Crimson Management! For more information on these industry professionals, please visit the panels and panelists page of our website here.

We'll be announcing even more panelists soon in addition to exciting news about headliners, sponsors, special events, and more - so stay tuned!!!

Now Accepting Artist Submissions for LAUNCH 2011

We're now accepting artist submissions for opportunities to showcase at LAUNCH 2011! Perform alongside likeminded artists in Downtown Lancaster which will be packed with music industry professionals and thousands of potential new fans!

For more info or to submit to showcase, visit:
launchmusicconference.com/festival/submit/index.htm

LAUNCH 2011 Site Now Live!

The website for LAUNCH 2011 is now live! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for news, announcements and more info about who will be attending LAUNCH 2011!

visit us at:
www.launchmusicconference.com

LAUNCH co-director Rick Gadd in Alternative Press

Rick Gadd, co-director of LAUNCH was quoted this week in a great article from Alternative Press about band sponsorships from large corporations.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this feature for insight from Rick and others!

Thanks for a great year!!!

Well, another LAUNCH has come and gone, and while everyone at LAUNCH central is about to get started brainstorming for next year - a huge thankyou to all of our participants! From the panelists, to the performers, to the trade show vendors, to attendees - and most importantly our sponsors - without whom LAUNCH couldn't exist.

Make sure you support all the brands/businesses who supported LAUNCH this year - launchmusicconference.com/sponsors

A huge thank you to all of our staff and volunteers as well!

Here's some thoughts that some folks had on LAUNCH 2010:
http://www.padutchcountryblog.com/?p=1231

http://www.tristateindie.com/?p=647

http://blacklodgeblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/wrapping-it-up-from-2010-launch-music.html

If you were at LAUNCH and blogged about your experience, share it with us! Send it to us at: artistnews@launchmusicconference.com

We'll be back with more recapping LAUNCH 2010 soon and news about LAUNCH 2011 in a few months! Thanks!!!

LAUNCH starts Tomorrow! Online Registration Closes at 3:30pm today!

One more day until LAUNCH means that today is the last day to register to attend or purchase wristbands Online. Online purchasing closes at 3:30pm

You may still walk up and register in person at the Lancaster Convention Center - registration is open Thurs 5-9, Fri-Sat 10-5.

Wristbands can still be purchased in person at Registration or at CI Records (226 N Prince St, Lancaster) or FIG Central (5 West King St, Lancaster).

See you at LAUNCH!

Volunteers No Longer Needed!

Thanks to all who got in touch - thanks to you we've got a fantastic staff helping to make sure this year's event is a success! Unfortunately, we were unable to accomodate all the requests we received and are no longer accepting volunteer requests. However, registration is still open if you wish to attend!

See you in 3 more days!!!

Volunteers Needed!

LAUNCH is currently looking for a few more volunteers to keep the ship sailing April 16-17.

Volunteering for LAUNCH is a great way to get to experience everything for FREE by working a single 8 hour shift (either Friday or Saturday day/evening). In return, you'll receive an all-access LAUNCH badge that allows you to participate in the rest of the conference at no cost to yourself!

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

For more information contact rick@launchmusicconference.com

We Were Hacked!

Our apologies to anyone who tried to visit launchmusicconference.com in the past few days only to receive a warning that the site wasn't safe. It seems the site was hacked sometime in the past few days. As of this morning, the site is cleared of any problems - so browse without fear of compromising your computer!!!

LAUNCH Guide and Schedule Available Now!

Later this week, thousands of copies of the 2010 LAUNCH Guide and Schedule will be distributed all over Central PA. But you can dig into the content early via the convenience of the internet!

Flip through the guide below and pass this link around to your friends!

Last Day for Standard Registration!

Today is the final day day for "Standard" Registration to attend all of LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival! The standard rate of $35 goes up to $40 as of tomorrow, and that rate is in effect until the start of LAUNCH (last minute folks can still register at the conference itself!).

LAUNCH registration grants a person access to everything LAUNCH has to offer, from the daytime Conference schedule to the nighttime Festival performances. Registration includes:

• All-Access Laminated Badge good for FREE access to all performing showcases, panels, trade show, seminars and conference parties for all 4 days.*
• 2010 LAUNCH Conference Guide
• 2010 LAUNCH T-shirt
• 2010 LAUNCH 2-Disc CD Compilation
• Attendee Bag filled with promo items, music and other goodies

For more information on the various ways to attend LAUNCH, please visit: http://launchmusicconference.com/register/

2010 LAUNCH Performers Announced!

We are excited to announce the performers for the Music Festival portion of LAUNCH 2010!

More than 175 acts will perform during LAUNCH 2010, representing all genres of music from all over the US and Canada! For a complete list of performs and venues, please visit our performers page.

There were an overwhelming number of truly outstanding artists that submitted to perform at LAUNCH this year, and unfortunately, we simply could not give all of them a spot. Thankyou to all who submitted.

Registration Has its Benefits!

With the submission deadline to perform at LAUNCH passed, we are now opening the floodgates for online registration!

Missed an opportunity to submit your band? There's still plenty to be gained by attending LAUNCH! Interested in networking, learning more about the business or just checking out some new original music acts? We've got you covered!

Full registration includes an all access badge, a LAUNCH 2010 tshirt and Compilation CD and plenty of other perks!

For those interested in just checking out live music, you may purchase wristbands that grant you free entry into any performance showcase. Wristbands come in 3 varieties - Friday only, Saturday only, and Weekend pass. And, of course, as always folks are invited to attend performances on a case by case basis by simply paying the applicable cover charges at each venue.

Starting today interested parties can register to attend online at: www.launchmusicconference.com/register

See you at LAUNCH!

Artists - LAST DAY TO SUBMIT!!!

Last call artists - this is your final chance to submit for a chance to perform at LAUNCH 2010!
All the details are here:  www.launchmusicconference.com/submit

Don't delay!

Three New Panelists Confirmed for LAUNCH 2010!

More panelists have been announced for LAUNCH 2010! Joining the fray this year to share their knowledge and expertise with those in attendance are Phill Mamula of Sons of Nero, Mike Eaton of The Artery Foundation, and Ken Mueller of Inkling Media!

Phill is an oft-emulated graphic artist who's work has changed the music industry views web marketing and myspace design.

Eaton works to procure endorsements and sponsorships for tastemaking management company The Artery Foundation.

As owner of Inkling Media, Mueller works to with the fine art of properly utilizing social media as an integral part of overall marketing strategies.

For more information on these and other panelists, please visit: www.launchmusicconference.com/panels

Artists - the deadline to submit is now only 10 days away - don't delay!

Submission Fee is Half-Off Today Only via SonicBids

Our partners at SonicBids are offering a ONE-DAY ONLY half-off price for artist submissions today, meaning the submission is only $10 instead of $20! Remember, artists submissions close in exactly 10 days, so don't delay!

For more information: www.sonicbids.com/launchmusicconference or www.launchmusicconference.com/submit

More Sponsors Announced for LAUNCH 2010

LAUNCH 2010 is proud to announce several new sponsors of this year's conference. Without these fine brands we couldn't do what we do so make sure you support them.

Our most prominent sponsor for 2010 is a little known beverage you may have heard of called.... Coca-Cola!!!

Also, helping to bring you LAUNCH this year is VegasFuel Energy Drink. VegasFuel drinks bring flavor, color and attitude to excite your senses, energize your body, and fuel your mind. Our ultra premium energy blend and burst of tropical flavor make VegasFuel the perfect drink to elevate your spirits and brighten the mood!

Back to help provide the fantastic staging and sound that LAUNCH enjoyed in 2009 is Illusion Sound and Lighting!

In addition we welcome:
Conestoga DPI - the best place for custom event printing in Central Pennsylvania
Atrium Audio - one of Central PA's finest recording studios
Inkling Media - masters of the fine art of social networking

Stay tuned for more news!

LAUNCH to be Held at the Brand New Lancaster County Convention Center!

LAUNCH is excited to announce that much of the 2010 conference will be held at the beautiful new Lancaster County Convention Center located in the heart of Downtown Lancaster!

As the hub of the conference, the Convention Center's spacious Freedom Hall will be home to LAUNCH's 2010 panels and tradeshow along with being a main performance venue!

Discounted rooms at the attached Lancaster Marriott will be available to everyone traveling to LAUNCH - stay tuned for details.

For more information on the incredible Convention Center, visit: www.lancasterconventionccenter.com

Latest Panelist News Update

 Four more panelists have been added to the growing list of confirmed speakers for LAUNCH 2010!  Returning to speak at LAUNCH this year are Dean Guitars' Josh Maloney, Sons of Nero's Portland and The Red Room's Carson Slovak. New to LAUNCH this year is John Daly of Good Fight Entertainment.

Maloney, has worked as Director of Artist Relations for Dean Guitars, and is instrumental in selecting which artists Dean sponsors. He has spent the last 12 years working with artists such as Dave Mustaine of MEGADEATH, Jerry Cantrell of ALICE IN CHAINS, COLLECTIVE SOUL, VINNIE PAUL, MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER, TRIVIUM and countless others with the marketing, advertising and branding for Dean Guitars to uphold the Dean name and it's reputation.

Portland is the founder of successful graphic design studio Sons of Nero, one of the leading design firms in the world of underground music. Sons specializes in all forms of print and web design, and has designed packaging, apparel or websites for a wide variety of clients ranging from JEDI MIND TRICKS to EVERY TIME I DIE to THE USED.

Slovak, a man of many talents, is owner and engineer of recording studio The Red Room. Additionally, Slovak is a well versed graphic artist, heading the graphics division of Aurora Films & Music, a full-service media production company, as well as serving as Art Director for the label Prosthetic Records. Slovak has designed album and merch artwork for bands like: ALL THAT REMAINS, AUGUST BURNS RED, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, SENSES FAIL, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, THURSDAY and more.

Daly works for management company Good Fight Entertainment and directly works with such juggernauts in the independent music scene as EVERY TIME I DIE and CHIODOS, as well as co-managing Lancaster's-own TEXAS IN JULY. He has formerly managed acts such as NORMA JEAN and A LIFE ONCE LOST.

For info and background information on the confirmed panelists click here.

Many more panelists have yet to confirm, so stay tuned for the latest info!