Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference
September 6-8, 2006
Renaissance Waverly Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia


Registration: Garden Court Registration, 2nd fl.
Panelist Ready Room: The Library, 2nd fl.
Conference Sessions: Habersham Ballroom, 2nd fl.
Showcases & Parties: Grand Ballroom, 2nd fl.


Wednesday, Sept. 6

1:00pm - 5:00pm
REGISTRATION

Conference attendees receive free admission to
REMIX HOTEL
1:00pm - 8:00pm daily
Remix magazine's traveling music production seminar consists of workshops for studio pros and bedroom beatmakers. Register for demos (use Apple's LogicPro7 and Digidesign's Pro Tools LE with new virtual instruments and plugins) and get the skinny on PR, production, mixtapes, and marketing from Public Enemy co-founder Hank Shocklee's Innertainment Q&As.

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Channeling the Digital World
Experts provide updates on the latest technological advances affecting the industry and address pressing issues in the world of digital distribution.
Moderator:
Tamara Conniff, Executive Editor/Associate Publisher, Billboard Magazine
Speakers:
Barry Benson, Merchandising & Promotions Manager, Infospace
David Ellner, CFO/SVP of Operations, Universal/ Motown
Chris Frankenberg, Sony BMG
Sumant Sridharan, Director of Product Management, LiveDigital

3:15pm - 4:15pm
Cashing In: The International Connection
Sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment
Label executives, internet gurus, industry tastemakers and artists weigh in on how to best capitalize on the import/export value of R&B/hip-hop.
Moderator:
Hillary Crosley, R&B/Hip-Hop Correspondent & Editor, Billboard/Radio & Records
Speakers:
Fiona Bloom, President, The Bloom Effect
Randall Grass, GM, Shanachie Entertainment
Kendall Minter, Entertainment-Attorney, Minter & Associates
Michael Thomas, CEO, Infiniti Productions International

4:30pm - 5:30pm
R&B: Declaration of Independence
R&B is holding its own in a hip-hop world, thanks to a percolating underground scene. Panelists explain the ins and outs of the genre’s independent crusade.
Moderator:
Gail Mitchell, Senior Editor R&B/Hip-Hop, Billboard
Speakers:
Craig Bowers, President, Soul Thought Entertainment
Kevin Harewood, President, EDclectic Entertainment
Frances Jaye, President, Neo Soul Cafe
Jeff Robinson, CEO, MBK Entertainment Inc.
Eric Roberson, Artist, Blue Erro Soul
Lamonda Williams, Director/Urban Programming, Music Choice

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Warner Brothers Records
Performances by
Bohagon
Lil Flip

7:00pm - 9:00pm
WE HEAR THE FUTURE
Live Artist Showcase & Competition!
Come hear a selected array of talent who will be judged by an industry panel of experts.
Live Performances by:
Ahmir
Baller Status
Dru
Dustyboyz
Havnotz
Melissa Providence
Steve Stone
VAR G

Thursday, Sept. 7

9:30am - 4:30pm
REGISTRATION

1:00pm - 8:00pm
REMIX HOTEL

10:00am - 11:15am
I’m With the Brand
Now more than ever, branding hookups are becoming the name of the game. A diverse panel culled from the worlds of film, TV, clothing/shoes, video/games, fragrances and more share the secrets of finding the right partner as well as the latest marketing trends.
Moderator:
Michael Paoletta, Brand Marketing Editor, Billboard
Speakers:
Brian Feit, Chief Buzz Officer, The BMF Media Group
Valerie Graves, Chief Creative Officer, Vigilante Entertainment
Mathew Knowles, Founder/CEO, Music World Entertainment
Alonza Robertson, SVP, Westin Rinehart
Wanda Shelley, Partner/Producer, B2 Entertainment
Jennifer Yu, Entertainment Marketing Manager, Fila
Chaka Zulu, co-CEO, Disturbing Tha Peace


11:30am - 12:45pm
What the Bling?!: The State of Hip-Hop
Sponsored by The Recording Academy
Is there a happy medium between hip-hop’s socially conscious roots and its more popular booty-shaking persona? Artists, producers and label execs debate hip-hop’s past, present and future.
Moderator:
Greg Street, On Air Personality, WVEE
Speakers:
Tuma Basa, MTV Programmer, MTV Networks
Kerry "Krucial" Brothers,Producer/Songwriter/Artist, Krucial Keys
Mr. Collipark, Producer/Manager, Collipark Music
Chuck D, Founder-Chuck D Mobile, Co-Founder-Public Enemy, Artist
Troy Marshall, VP/Rap Promotion, Universal/Motown
Jeff Robinson, CEO, MBK Entertainment Inc.
DJ Toomp, Producer, NZone Entertainment
Joyce Wilson, President, Joyce Productions

1:00pm - 2:30pm
Grand Ballroom
ARTIST SHOWCASE LUNCHEON
Performances by:
Mishal Moore
Ron Artest
E&J Blood Brothers
Ruler Rah
Tosha Scott
620


2:45pm - 3:45pm
Who’s Signing Who?
Key publishing and A&R executives discuss the musical trends in store for R&B and hip-hop.
Moderator:
Qiana Conley, Director of Creative/A&R, Notting Hill
Speakers:
Ethiopia Habtemariam, VP, Universal Music Publishing
Chris Hicks, VP of A&R Urban, Warner Brothers Records & Warner Chappell Music
HipHop
Rodney Jerkins, President/VP of A&R, Darkchild Productions/ VP of A&R @ Def Jam
Kawan "KP" Prather, SVP/A&R, Sony BMG
D Prosper, Director of A&R, G Unit Records
Shakir Stewart, SVP of A&R, Def Jam

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Retail & the Digital Divide
What is traditional retail’s game plan as it adapts to the brave new world of digital technology? Key urban music retailers and buyers share ideas and forecast the future.
Moderator:
Ronnie Jones, President, The Big Picture Group
Speakers:
Jasz, Owner, Ear Wax
Tabaygo, Owner, DBS Sounds
George Daniels, President/Owner, George's Music Room
Tara Garrett, CEO, Face2Face M.E.G.
Neil Levine, SVP/ GM, Caroline Distribution
James Lewis, Owner, Reflections Emporium
Jeff Price, President/Founder, spinART Records.

5:30pm - 7:00pm
R&B/Hip-Hop Radio Awards Reception
For the first time Billboard and Radio & Records honor & celebrate the best in radio... as voted on by subscribers!

7:00pm - 8:30pm
Grand Ballroom
Cocktails and Showcase!
Sponsored by MBK Entertainment Inc.
Performances by:
Mike Millz
Jermaine Paul

8:30pm - 9:30pm
Grand Ballroom
... More Cocktails and Showcases
Sponsored by Butter Records
Performance by:
Jascat

Friday, Sept. 8
9:30am - 3:30pm
REGISTRATION

1:00pm - 8:00pm
REMIX HOTEL

10:00am - 11:00am
The Billboard Q&A with LUDACRIS
Sponsored by ASCAP
Billboard’s Gail Mitchell interiews the rapper, actor, philanthropist and label executive who is pushing the industry to new heights.

11:15am - 12:15am
Everything You Wanted To Know About Radio, But Were Afraid To Ask
From how music gets played to radio promotions, Elroy Smith of WGCI Chicago and other top radio program directors from around the country break down the truths and myths of the radio industry.
Moderators:
Raphael George, R&B/Hip-Hop Charts Manager, Billboard/Radio & Records
Elroy Smith, Operations Manager, Clear Channel Chicago
Speakers:
John Dimick, Program Director, Emmis New York
Tony Fields, Operations Manager, Cox Radio Miami
Thea Mitchem, Program Director, Clear Channel Philly
Eric Mychaels, Program Director, Clear Channel Norfolk

12:30pm - 1:30pm
Relationship Counseling
Eliott Spitzer’s payola investigation has affected the work relationship between radio and record labels. Panelists assess the changing dynamics and how to move forward to everyone’s mutual benefit.
Moderator:
Kevin Fleming, Editor, The Urban Buzz
Speakers:
Craig Davis, Sr. National Director of R&B promotions, Jive Records
Troy Dudley, VP of Urban Promotions, Universal Motown
Jamillah Muhammad, Program Director, WMXD Detroit
Reggie Rouse, Program Director, WVEE Atlanta
Nicole Sellers, Senior National Director of Promotions, J Records
Doc Wynter, VP Urban Programming, Clear Channel

1:30pm - 2:30pm
SHOWCASE LUNCHEON
Performing:
Brian Cook
D-BOYZ 386
Lyrasis
Phenom
S.P.
Young Dami

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Mix Show Master Class
Key DJs spin tales and techniques from the mixtape circuit.
Moderator:
Ebro Darden,Assistant PD, WQHT/New York
Speakers:
DJ Drama, Sirius Radio
DJ Khaled, WEDR Radio/Terror Squad
J. Period
Robert “Kaspa” Smith, Hittmenn DJs
Michael "5000" Watts, Swishahouse

4:30pm - 5:30pm
Virgin Records Happy Hour
Performance by Johnta Austin
Hosted by Jermaine Dupri


8:00pm
Atlanta Live, 3595 Clairmont Road
THE BILLBOARD R&B/HIP-HOP AWARDS PARTY
Join us as we honor the best in R&B and Hip-Hop.

Performing Live:
Bobby Valentino
Governor
Lupe Fiasco
Lyfe Jennings
Shareefa
Young Dro


Immediately Following...
Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Afterparty @ Atlanta Live!
Co-Hosted by Intaprize/GTT Entertainment
Live performance by Khao!



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