The ADE runs annually in Amsterdam and is the worlds best Electronic and Dance Music Industry conference/festival. The day conference is held in the centre of Amsterdam at the historic canal-side Felix Meritis building and the luxurious neighbouring Dylan Hotel while the night program dominates every club in Amsterdam. They are expecting 2,000+ professionals from over 36 countries, 600+ artists/acts to perform and a festival audience of 80.000 at the ADE this year.
The ADE has a lot to offer so it is really down to what you want to do and achieve while there. Below is a guideline on how I'll be approaching things based on my experiences from the last two years.
Sleeping
There are many fine hotels in Amsterdam. The Dylan Hotel for example is right beside the Felix Meritis. However this can be expensive so if you don't plan on sleeping much a hostel might be a better option. There's tons of them around Amsterdam.
Eating
Hmm I'm sure there are lots of fine restaurants in Amsterdam. Unfortunately I never found them! There's an Irish pub near Dam Square that does a mean breakfast. You can get a sandwich at the Felix Meritis during the afternoon and in the evenings I usually hit a MacD's or get some pub grub. Lots of Junk food available also. I know, I'm a hopeless culture vulture.
Smoking
Apart from its Art, Amsterdam is also well known for its Cafes. Very important to note that the "Smoking Ban" came into effect on the 1st of July of this year so no tobacco smoking. You can hit as many pipes as you want or just not use tobacco. Some Cafes have a tobacco substitute you can use as well.
Tourist Stuff
If you do one thing cultural in your time in Amsterdam hit the Van Gogh museum. The Ajax Amsterdam Arena is class if you are a fan of Ajax. The tour is really good and the museum is massive. Great club. There is also the Heineken brewery but how much do you really need to know about Heineken? Nice pints though.
Day Program
This is what really sets the ADE apart. The day program is outstanding and really well run from the topics covered, the speakers, the venue and the conference facilities available via the business lounges (wireless Internet, bar, lots of seating). Thursday and Friday is when it all happens so get any meetings out of the way then. Any time you are not in a seminar you can chill in the Business Lounge. The important thing really is to be around. Pull yourself out of bed and get down there. It's worth it.
Good conferences I have seen include Approaching Markets in Asia/Eastern Europe/North America, The clubbers circuit, Positivity in Dance Music with Josh Wink, Music Technology with Dave Clarke to name but a few. People are usually in bits by the Saturday so it's very much a low key affair. There wont be as many people around. There's usually a Q&A session with somebody big. Last year it was Kevin Saunderson. Dave Clarke usually hosts "Demolition" where he and other guests dissect submitted tracks from people attending the ADE.
from the website:
"Natasha Kizzie, head of entertainment at EURO RSCG KLP London will be taking part in the Brands On the Live Circuit panel. Kizzie has been instrumental in putting together large branded events such as the V Festival and T In The Park as well as brokering the Groove Armada deal with Bacardi. The Music Synching panel will include Jason Alexander, founder of Hit the Ground Running (HTGR), which is a leading boutique music supervision company based in Los Angeles. Jason and his team oversee the music for several award-winning TV programs such as CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Everybody Hates Chris, Entourage, Cold Case, Without A Trace, and studio films including Flicka and Goal, along with various documentaries. Joining Jason will be the music supervisor of Vertigo Films Lol Hammond who has been music supervisor on many British movies, Including 'Its all gone Pete Tong', 'Football Factory', 'Dirty Sanchez The Movie', the bafta nominated 'London to Brighton', 'Outlaw' and 'Sparkle'.
Further panels: The Artist Debate; How to Manage Success!, Health and Environment, Investment in Sound and other topics concerning Licensing, Management, and (Online) Distribution."
Night Program
This is where the fun starts. Every club in Amsterdam will house various DJs, Artists and Label nights. Unfortunately my favorite club "Club 11" is closed. Devastated. The standard of clubs in Amsterdam overall is outstanding so wherever you decide to go will be good. So what you do for the night program is really down to yourself and your own tastes. Here's some parties I would recommend.
Wednesday:
The official launch party for the ADE takes place on the Wednesday for those attending the conference. Last year Monochrome (Romania) were the featured act and there was lots of free Heineken.
Thursday:
From 10 am until 9pm there will a photo exhibition from the KLM Paul Huf Award 2008 winner Pieter Hugo. Also the "SAE and Bootleg DJ Cafe present: Insidelook Producer Workshop with Vince Watson" at Studio K from 6 to 9:30pm.
The Westerunie will host Joel Mull, Ste Rachmad and Michel De Hey. Clashing with that though will be Monika Kruse and Gregor Threshor at the Flexbar. Nice dilemma to have and all but I really don't know where to go. Monika is one of my favorite producers.
Friday:
No doubts about Friday. The Sand club is host to "Cocoon Goes Amsterdam Part V: Disco Invaders" with Sven Vath, Mathew Johnson, Guy Gerber, Tobi Neumann and Andre Galuzzi. Seen Tobi and Andre in Ibiza recently. Quality. There is also an official Cocoon afterparty in Club Home; starting at 5 in the morning and finishing at 12 the next day. Line-up not confirmed.
DJ Pierre is also playing at the Mansion if you have problems getting in and there's an Intacto night at the Flexbar. Innervisions will have a party at Melkweg with performances from Ame, Dixon, Schwarz and Marcus Worgull. Seen them in club 11 last year. Always worth a look these guys.
Saturday:
Some interesting early evening entertainment provided by Addictive TV at the Concrete Image Store: "Twice voted number 1 VJs in the world by DJ magazine Addictive TV will present a special installation of selected audiovisuals works at Concrete. Visitors are invited to view selected pieces of work and see why mainstream Hollywood film companies, from Paramount to New Line Cinema, are queuing up to have their movies, like the blockbuster "Iron Man", remixed into audiovisual dance music tracks by the Addictive TV duo."
The "Contakt - 10 Years of Minus" party will take place in the Sand on Saturday. Monster line-up including: Richie Hawtin, Magda, Troy Pierce, Marc Houle, Heartthrob, Jon Gaiser, Barem and Konrad Black. Not a single weak link. Sick.
For Plan B I would recommend perhaps checking out Juan Atkins and DJ Pierre at the deejaybooking.com "Afro Acid Party" in club Vakzuid. In case you happen to be going to Amsterdam with your teenage sister Hed Kandi will be running a party. Oh and "DJ Wanka" will be playing at club Canvas!
After hours there will be an all nighter on at club Akhnaton. Starting at 10:00 pm and going right through until 10 the next morning. Mainly Dutch DJs with an appearance from Andre Crom.
Sunday:
There's a closing party at Club NL and a few other wind down parties. If you're still up for it at this point you're doing well.
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