To celebrate 5 years of #shesaidso, we’re introducing MEETSSS - the first conference made by us for music industry professionals & artists of all genders.
Taking place in Portimão, Portugal between October 3–6, 2019.
MEETSSS is the first female-first, music-forward conference made by shesaid.so, marking 5 years since the community launched in London at the end of 2014. Members of the network from all over the world are invited to gather in Portimão, Portugal to bring their online connection to life and nurture new friendships in the music industry. The event is open to music executives, artists and other professionals working in the creatives industries of all genders.
The event will embody shesaid.so’s core brand values: collaboration, diversity and inclusion; focus on personal and professional growth for female-identifying professionals in the music industry; nurture community among music executives and creatives of all genders; and showcase the work of women, non-binary and other underrepresented talent in the music business.
Topics include personal & professional growth; intersectionality, diversity & inclusion; starting and running your own business; mentorship & community; mental health & wellbeing; solutions to address workplace harassment & misconduct; other music industry issues.
MEETSSS talks & music showcases will be curated together with partner organizations such as the British Council, Kickstarter, Village Underground Lisbon, Italia Music Export, Resident Advisor, Le Bureau Export and more. Delegates will include but not be limited to shesaid.so members, industry executives, creators, activists, and other tastemakers in music and beyond.
Featured speakers consist of industry professionals and other inspiring individuals in their fields who will share the best tools to thrive, give back to the community, and mentor future generations of leaders.
Keynote speakers include UK body positivity influencer Chidera Eggerue, better known by her Instagram handle The Slumflower, who has been included in this year’s Alternative Power 100 Music List. Eggerue speaks further about her inclusion:
“I am honored to be part of a list that celebrates diversity, rebellious thinking, and non-traditional careers and backgrounds. Community (this year’s theme) is important to me- not only because of the social media network I have built through connecting with those who resist social norms but also the Peckham neighbourhood I grew up in, keeping me grounded in my Nigerian roots.”
Oronike Odeleye, co-founder of muteRKelly and Festival Coordinator at ONE Musicfest in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, will also take part in a keynote interview focused on harassment & misconduct prevention in the industry:
“Though the #MuteRKelly campaign specifically focuses on bringing serial abuser, R Kelly, to justice, the tools that we developed to educate the public and demand accountability for his actions are ones that we hope are used by the entertainment industry worldwide. We can no longer continue to manufacture more R Kelly’s — who hide behind the fame and wealth granted them by the community, to avoid the consequences of their crimes against that same community.”
Jennifer Justice, who recently quit her role as Head of Corporate Development at Superfly where she expanded the company’s portfolio of live music event brands, has previously worked as an attorney for Jay-Z, Mark Ronson, Wolfmother and Slipknot, among others as part of Roc Nation. Jennifer is now the co-founder of The Justice Dept, a female focused advisory and legal firm which works with entrepreneurs, executives, talent, brands and creatives in all stages of their careers and businesses in the areas of tech, media, entertainment and fashion.
Other speakers include Alison Wenham, former CEO at AIM and WIN who will deliver a workshop on public speaking and confidence; Clare Scivier whose career spans across 20 years of A&R as one of the only female A&Rs at a major record label in that timeframe before shifting her focus to Behavioral Psychology to support the wellbeing of artists; Georgia Taglietti, Head of Communications at SONAR Festival in Barcelona and has worked with the SONAR team for 25 years; plus more to be announced.
The summit agenda will be complemented by a series of music showcases featuring local and international artists with a clear but non-exclusive focus on female-identifying talent. The showcases will include an opening concert, three sunset sessions, an official dinner live performance, and two beach parties. Some of the music events curated as part of MEETSSS will also be open to the public, featuring a mix of headliners and up-and-coming artists curated by shesaid.so and partners. The full lineup will be revealed at the end of July.
In addition, delegates will be able to take part in a series of intimate community experiences that will enable them to easily connect with other delegates, explore the beautiful Portimao surroundings and immerse themselves in the local culture. Included among the itinerary are yoga classes, traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, cinema screenings, wine tastings and a boat trip.
MEETSSS is made possible with funding from the Tourism Board of Algarve and Portugal, as well as our partner organizations. Produced in partnership with Portimao-based creative agency Pipol with support from Village Underground Lisbon.
Website: https://www.shesaidsomeetsss.com/
Early bird tickets on sale: https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1282804
