About MECA

About the MECA
MECA Music Conference • May 12-15, 2004 • Chicago, USA

An acronym for Musician’s Education and Career Advancement, MECA is a major music conference in the Midwest. This four-day Chicago-based event will offer forty panels, workshops and performance clinics, mentoring sessions, 250 live music showcases, and numerous networking events.

Anyone interested in attending the panels, clinics, workshops and mentoring sessions can purchase a conference registration. Discounts are available for students and for early purchase. For registration details - click here.

Bands/Artists can submit for showcase opportunities. Showcasing bands/artists receive free conference registrations. For showcase details - click here.

Panels/Workshops

Designed to provide real world education, MECA panels will provide musicians and industry professionals of all levels with an opportunity to learn from the example of successful professionals. See list of confirmed panelists.

Performance clinics

High-profile professional musicians will lead performance clinics in guitar, bass, drums and DJ/turntable techniques. Confirmed clinicians include drummer Steve Smith, bassist Billy Sheehan and turntablist DJ P-Trix.

Mentoring Sessions

Mentoring sessions will be offered on Thursday and Friday to all conference attendees. During these sessions, participating panelists will be available for one on one discussions with conference attendees.

Live Music Showcases

Both up-and-coming artists and professionals alike will perform at Chicago’s best live music rooms over the four nights of the conference.

Networking

Numerous networking events will be held throughout the conference designed to build relationships between up-and-coming bands from different markets, as well as between industry professionals.

MECA Music Conference & Festival is a registered d/b/a/ of The Morrissey Group, Inc. TMG is a corporation based in Barrington, IL and has operated ChicagoGigs.com since 1999.

NOTE: There is limited capacity at panel sessions, clinics and showcases. Although MECA Music Conference & Festival makes every effort to schedule a variety of events in adequately-sized rooms, it is not possible to predict attendance at individual sessions. If a particular session is important to you, plan to arrive early to secure a place for yourself. MECA Music Conference & Festival will not refund fees if you are unable to attend particular sessions.