The International Music Summit, the premier platform for thought leadership in electronic music, today announced the IMS Visionaries contest: an unprecedented effort to find and develop the next generation of industry thought leaders. IMS will offer individuals aged 25 and under across the globe the chance to deliver keynote speeches and provide a platform for exposure and experience at their events in Los Angeles, Ibiza, and Singapore in 2015.
IMS Engage, taking place April 15 at the W Hollywood in Los Angeles, has also announced its third unmoderated conversation, pairing two of nightlife’s biggest forces, MMG CEO David Grutman, whose properties include LIV and Story Nightclubs in Miami, and Jason Strauss, a partner at TAO Group (Tao, Marquee, LAVO). The duo joins previously announced pairing of Seth Troxler and Chuck D, as well as rising manager Jake Udell and Lyor Cohen.
With 3 regionalized contests, IMS Visionaries in partnership with VICE’S THUMP platform is doing its part to let the future of the industry take center stage. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a handful of individuals and the only one of its nature amongst entertainment conferences.
The winner of the Los Angeles competition will get the opportunity to have a 1-on-1 Q &A session with David Grutman, allowing the lucky individual to pick the brain and glean advice from one of the industry’s brightest and most accomplished minds. The rest of the prize package includes attending IMS as a delegate, delivering a keynote speech to summit delegation, a roundtrip ticket to Los Angeles from any North American city, a one night stay at the W Hotel Hollywood, access to all official parties, and the opportunity to interview for 3 potential industry internships.
“IMS Visionaries gives the next generation a chance to directly present their views to the most influential people in electronic music” says Pete Tong, one of IMS’ co-founders. “It’s IMS’ goal to find the young who dare to challenge current standards with innovative ideas that will take the industry to the next level. These individuals will influence our industry in years to come and we aim to give them a platform to lead.”
David Grutman and Jason Strauss are two of nightlife’s biggest personalities and most storied successes. Under MMG, Grutman’s venues and commitment to electronic music have helped make Miami into one of North America’s and the world’s pre-eminent nightlife destinations. In the other corner is Jason Strauss, a partner at TAO Group, one of America’s leading nightlife companies, operating venues like Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue and more. Strauss along with partner Noah Tepperberg, have played a crucial role in the emergence of Las Vegas as a world class destination for electronic music and nightlife, and has been a pivotal figure in NYC nightlife for over a decade. Their pairing should make for a fascinating and no-holds-barred discussion about the inner-workings of nightlife, and a rarely heard, but pivotal, perspective on the rise of electronic music in America.
How To Enter
Participants must submit a 5-10 minute video essay addressing the question ‘How to continue to grow and innovate the electronic music industry?” via the IMS website found here. IMS encourages participants to think progressively and challenge current standards in an effort to take the industry to the next level. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to deliver their keynote speech at IMS Engage to a delegation of leaders and influencers. Additional prizes include: 1 night stay at the W Hollywood, access to all official parties, a private mentorship with key speakers the day of the event, and the opportunity to apply for an internship at 3 key industry companies.
About Jason Strauss
Jason Strauss is a partner in TAO Group, a powerhouse player in the hospitality industry. Strauss and his partners are the masterminds behind some of the most successful nightclub and restaurant brands to open in the past decade, including Marquee, TAO, Avenue and LAVO and the company boasts venues in New York, Las Vegas and Sydney, Australia.
Jason’s career successes include receiving the Nightclub & Bar’s “Hospitality Operator of the Year” Award for his work with Marquee and TAO as well as being honored by the Harvard Business School through a published case study about the group’s myriad of businesses entitled: “Marquee The Business of Nightlife.” He was named by In The Mix as one of the 50 Most Powerful People In EDM for 2013 and 2014, as well as taking the #15 spot in Rolling Stone’s 50 Most Important People in EDM. The man can be credited with making Las Vegas the world’s premiere capital for dance music, as it stands today.
About David Grutman
Sitting across from Jason Strauss will be David Grutman, the CEO of MMG. David is responsible for spearheading some of the biggest clubs in the world, including LIV Nightclub at the Fontainebleau Hotel, LIV Sun Life Stadium, and Story Nightclub on South beach. Under his guidance the mega clubs of LIV and Story consistently rank as some of the best – and highest grossing- in the world, with Reuters naming LIV the #2 nightclub in the world in 2010. LIV and Story have also both been in the top 10 of Nightclub & Bars annual list since their respective launches.
For these accomplishments, Mr. Grutman ranked #11 on Rolling Stone Magazines “50 Most Important People in Electronic Dance Music” in 2014.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
About International Music Summit
International Music Summit is an educational, inspirational and motivational thought leadership platform dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, electronic music, the artistry related to DJ-ing and all related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of summits and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of the genre to art and culture worldwide.
Over seven years in Ibiza has earned IMS a reputation as the “the TED of music conferences”, featuring conversations and interviews with luminaries such as Hollywood director David Lynch, musical pioneers Giorgio Moroder and Nile Rodgers, tech innovators from Twitter, Soundcloud, Google, Disney and Electronic Arts, plus DJs including David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Richie Hawtin, Danny Tenaglia and more. IMS was created by BBC Radio 1 / Evolution Radio broadcaster Pete Tong, along with electronic music industry veterans Ben Turner, Danny Whittle, Mark Netto and Simeon Friend. IMS Engage has been running for three years in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and has featured speakers including Sean Diddy Combs, Hans Zimmer, David Lynch, Skrillex, Moby and more. In 2014, IMS launched IMS Asia Pacific in Singapore.
