FastForward announces final keynotes, speakers & interactive zone

PRESS RELEASE:

AVID EMERY, SILVIA MONTELLO & DARREN HEMMINGS TO PRESENT MENTAL HEALTH KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

SINGER-SONGWRITERS SAM LEE & MELISSA BEL TO LEAD ARTIST KEYNOTE

AiSOLVE, MQA & STUBHUB TO SHOWCASE TECH IN NEW INTERACTIVE SPACE

LIMITED PASSES REMAIN

With only three weeks until FastForward – the international music conference aimed at, but not exclusive to, under 35s – returns to Amsterdam for 2017, the event has limited delegate passes remaining, approaching a second sell-out year.

The conference takes place across two days, 23-24 February 2017 in Amsterdam, and will offer a combination of keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and specialist ‘FastFifteen’ presentations that explore the latest trends emerging in music, technology, and the wider entertainment sectors. The full schedule is available here: https://www.fastforward.xyz/program/

The final keynotes to be announced include a conversation discussing mental health & well-being in the music industry from David Emery (VP Global Marketing Strategy, Kobalt), Silvia Montello (former SVP at BMG), and Darren Hemmings (MD of Motive Unknown); and an Artist-centric Fireside Chat with Mercury Award-nominee Sam Lee and Canadian folk artist Melissa Bel, presented by PPL UK.

A new addition to the conference this year is the FastForward ‘Interactive Zone’, with virtual reality company AiSolve, award-winning music tech company MQA, and live music ticketing company StubHub showcasing their new and existing technologies for our delegates to get hands-on with.

Completing the 49-strong speaker lineup for 2017, including companies such as Warner/Chappell Music UK, AiSolve, BBC Radio 1, Sony Music, Ticketmaster, Warner Music Group, Columbia Records UK, 7digital, Rocket Music, Forbes, and Shazam, are:

    -  David Emery Vice President, Global Marketing Strategy, Kobalt Music Recordings

    -  Gareth Deakin Founder and CEO, Out & About Consulting

    -  Matt Phipps-Taylor Head of Innovation & Insight, PPL UK

    -  Matthijs Boom Artist Manager (Netherlands)

    -  Melissa Bel Independent Artist (Canada)

    -  Rhian Jones Freelance Journalist (HITS, Music Business Worldwide)

    -  Sam Lee Independent Artist

    -  Silvia Montello former SVP, BMG Rights Management

    -  Sulinna Ong Vice President, Artist Marketing, Deezer

    Capacity for the conference is once again limited to 150 people, allowing for deeper networking and discussion amongst those in the formative stages of their career. Remaining Delegate Passes can be purchased from www.fastforward.tickets at £250.

For more information about FastForward 2017, visit www.fastforward.tickets