Winter Music Conference 2026 Moves to Downtown Miami’s Kimpton EPIC Hotel

Winter Music Conference (WMC) will make its highly anticipated return to Miami for its 36th edition from Tuesday, March 24 through Thursday, March 26, 2026, headquartered at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami – the Official Miami Music Week Hotel.

WMC 2026 ushers in a new chapter for this legendary institution, reaffirming its place as a global hub for music, technology, education, and culture. The conference will feature two curated programming tracks (Industry + Creators), daily rooftop pool parties at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, and the Bridges for Music × International Dance Music Awards Gala, honoring excellence throughout the electronic-music landscape.

Globally recognized as the longest-running electronic music conference of its kind, WMC returns with a program built to connect industry leaders, creators, and rising talent through panels, keynotes, workshops, exhibitor showcases, and curated networking. 

Set against the Kimpton EPIC Hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay, WMC 2026 re-centers Miami as the nexus of Miami Music Week and the global electronic music community.

WMC 2026: Daily Programming Snapshot

Tuesday, March 24: Badge Pickup & Opening Pool Party
Wednesday, March 25: Panels, Workshops, Exhibitors & Networking Opportunities, Pool Party
Thursday, March 26: Final Programming Sessions, Closing Pool Party, and Bridges for Music × International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) Gala

Educational Programming for Industry & Creators

WMC 2026 delegates will connect through panels, keynotes, workshops, and networking opportunities, designed to inspire both industry leaders and creators.

• WMC // INDUSTRY: The Industry Track is built for music and live events professionals. Programming includes panels, workshops, and networking sessions designed to dive deep into the business of music, event production, emerging technologies, and the evolving landscape of dance culture. From thought leadership discussions with top executives to practical insights from adjacent industries like tech, marketing, and social media, this track is the place to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of the global electronic music ecosystem.
• WMC // CREATORS: The Creators Track is dedicated to DJs, producers, and content creators shaping today’s and tomorrow’s scene. Expect gear demos and showcases from leading brands, artist-led workshops, and career path breakout sessions designed to inspire and inform. This track puts the spotlight on creativity, empowering the next generation of music makers and giving them the tools, skills, and connections to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.

Bridges for Music x International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) Gala – Thursday, March 26

Thursday evening concludes with a landmark collaboration between Bridges for Music – a global nonprofit that empowers underserved communities through music and education – and the International Dance Music Awards (IDMA), electronic music’s longest-running awards institution.

Bridges for Music has built a powerful reputation for its work in bridging cultural and economic divides through music-led education programs. Known for its pioneering Academy in South Africa and for the support from artists like Richie Hawtin, Skrillex, Martin Garrix and Black Coffee, the organization has become a global model for social impact through electronic music and is expanding rapidly across the African continent.

The International Dance Music Awards, established in 1985, are electronic music’s original award platform, honoring artistic and technical excellence across the global dance landscape. From pioneering producers and emerging acts to industry leaders and behind-the-scenes innovators, the IDMAs celebrates the culture’s evolution and future.

The 2026 Gala will mark a new era for both institutions – merging philanthropy, recognition, and celebration into one unforgettable night. The event will feature in-person award presentations, artist performances, and opportunities to support the mission of Bridges for Music through ticket proceeds, auctions and awareness.

Note: The gala is not included with WMC badges and will be separately ticketed. Additional details to follow.

Miami Music Week Hotel: A Unified Vision between ULTRA Worldwide and We Group

Since 1985, Winter Music Conference has served as the heartbeat of the global dance culture – a meeting ground where the industry’s pioneers, innovators, and future leaders converge to shape the sound and spirit of what’s next.

Under the stewardship of ULTRA Worldwide – the world’s most international music festival brand – WMC 2026 continues to evolve as a forward-looking incubator for ideas and innovation while honoring its legacy as the industry’s annual cornerstone.

Beyond the educational programming, the Kimpton EPIC Hotel will transform into the Official Miami Music Week Hotel, hosting daily rooftop pool parties at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, blending business, creativity, and celebration in Downtown Miami.

The Kimpton EPIC’s panoramic pool deck offers a distinctive mix of luxury and energy, serving as the week’s social centerpiece and gathering point for artists, executives, and fans alike.

We Group, the award-winning London-born collective behind WMC’s production and operations, brings decades of expertise in large-scale festival and event delivery – including production, operations, health & safety and licensing. The teams, based in London and Miami, have delivered experiences for some of the most renowned promoters in the UK and US. Building on its successful expansion into the US, We Group shares WMC’s vision to craft experiences that merge education, entertainment, and community impact on a global scale.

WMC 2026 will conclude on Thursday, March 26, just before Ultra Music Festival’s 26th-anniversary edition begins at Bayfront Park (March 27 – 29, 2026), bridging the conference, the Official Miami Music Week Hotel, and the festival into one unified weeklong celebration of electronic music culture. Tickets to Ultra Music Festival 2026 are on sale now.

Join Us At Winter Music Conference 2026!

Stay tuned for additional announcements in the coming weeks, including panel topics, keynote speakers, and pool party programming. Winter Music Conference and the Miami Music Week Hotel have officially partnered with FEVER and DICE to provide attendees with the best possible customer experience.  For 2026, WMC will offer two badge tiers: WMC Access and WMC Pro: The WMC Access badge provides delegates with admittance to all Winter Music Conference Programming, including keynotes, panels, exhibitor spaces, and workshops. Conference programming starts on Wednesday (25th) and runs through Thursday (26th), with early badge pickup on Tuesday (24th) at the registration desk on the 14th Floor. NOTE: The Access badge does not include admittance to any of the pool parties or sanctioned events.The WMC Pro badge provides delegates with admittance to all Winter Music Conference Programming, including keynotes, panels, exhibitor spaces, and workshops. This badge also covers pool parties at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, taking place from Tuesday to Thursday (1 pm – 10 pm) featuring top-tier DJs and label partners. Additionally, the Pro badge grants entry to all our sanctioned events during Miami Music Week, with select parties to be announced as they are secured. NOTE: Entry to sanctioned events is not guaranteed and is typically the first hour to two hours after doors open.