EMC announces advisory board as hard-hit EDM recovers in 2021

The Electronic Music Conference (EMC) has set up an advisory board to work with its director Jane Slingo to develop the organisation’s strategy across 2021 – 2024 and to shape the future of EMC.

Slingo said it’s been a challenging time for the industry.

“The electronic music sector is constantly changing with ongoing challenges to address and navigate.

“The events and impacts of 2020 have heightened this significantly.

“I’m honoured and grateful to have such an exceptional brains trust to inform EMC’s strategic direction as we embark on a period of reimagining and building resilience.”

The advisory board consists of:

Chair:
Leanne de Souza – non-executive director of Nightlife Music, and a trustee of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust (QPAC) (Yuggera and Turrbul land/Brisbane).

De Souza said: “Jane’s commitment to governance and the electronic music community are key to her success.

“It is fantastic to be chairing her advisory board and support a clarity of purpose and focus for what are important strategic decisions for the business and the sector.”

Board members:

Belinda Raeburn – finance and administration support for EMC, Sweat It Out, and Young Strangers (Wangal and Gadigal land/Sydney)

Andrew Jackson – founder/director, Milton Archer Inc / Avoca Drive Pty Ltd; climate reality leader (Cammeraygal land/Sydney)

Elliott Bledsoe – director, Agentry & Copyright Officer, Australian Digital Alliance (Yuggera and Turrbul land/Brisbane)

Emily Nicol – curator, journalist, radio podcast/producer (Kai’Ymay and Gadigal
land/Sydney)

Lilian Hautemulle – founder, Sivillian Affairs (Singapore)

Michael Manahan – group strategy lead, Kinetic Marketing (Wangal land/Sydney)

Paul Mason – music consultant (Gadigal and Bidjigal land/Sydney)

Richie McNeill – director, Hardware Corporation (Wurundjeri land/Melbourne)

Since March 2020, EMC has hosted 12 virtual events.

It also launched the United We Stream Australia initiative to showcase a diverse range of artists from around Australia to an international audience.

It assisted in raising more than $11,000 for artists and charities including Heaps Decent and Support Act.

Since June, United We Stream Australia has presented performances from 32 artists and had more than 170,000 viewers from Australia, Asia, Europe, South Africa, South America, UK and USA.