Want to spend less money and party more during Winter Music Conference 2010? Follow our nine rules to maximize your hard earned dollar and limited time in Miami.

Rule #1 – Plan way ahead. This goes for buying party tickets, booking your hotel and flights, and arriving to parties. The longer you wait, the more you can expect to spend. Planning ahead is the key to saving money.

Rule #2 – Stay close to the parties. If at all possible avoid staying in North Beach, or anywhere beyond walking distance of the strip (1st Street to 40th Street is “The Strip”). The best location to stay is between 15th Street and 43rd Street on Collins or Washington Ave.

Rule #3 – Share your hotel room. Split a hotel room with up to four people, but don’t let the concierge know this. Most hotels have a  limit to the number of people who can stay in a room and charge for extra guests, whereas other places don’t take too much stock either way, as long as you’re not making noise and check out on time. Most of the larger hotels will actually fine you for having more than the indicated number of guests in the room, but thanks to their large size, as long as you stagger your entrances and exits, no one will really notice.

Rule #4 – Use public transportation. If you do end up farther than walking distance from the main strip, modes of transportation can be hard to find if you don’t have the cash to shell out on a rental car. There are other options though including: bus, cab, bike rental and bumming a ride with new friends.

Rule #5 – Drink cheap. One of the largest expenses during Winter Music Conference week is booze. There are a lot of ways to get your drink on without going broke. To avoid spending $7 for a Budlight and $12 for cocktails drink before leaving your room, drink en route, and try to sneak in alcohol wherever you go. When you do find yourself at a party, go with the $10 well vodka or seek out the super hooked up sponsored parties that offer free booze.

Rules #6 – Eat cheap. You can avoid pay for breakfast and buying $20 lunches and $50 dinners with a few eating options. Eat a free breakfast at your hotel. For a filling $5 lunch hit up the many corner Cuban stands and while you are there order their espresso which kicks Redbull’s booty. For an inexpensive dinner, avoid anything directly on Ocean Drive, as they hike up their prices for the tourists.

Rule #7 – Pack carefully. Think of Winter Music Conference as a rigorous test of endurance and prepare accordingly. Sunscreen is vital for survival. So are comfortable shoes, Band-Aids, Tylenol and water. Make sure to raid your medicine cabinet before leaving your house for your travels. You probably already own the necessities you need to survive with, there is no point in wasting the money buying everything again. Also, don’t pack a lot of valuables, you’re going to be drinking and partying and let’s face it, drunk you is a lot less reliable than sober you. Check out our checklist on what to bring to Winter Music Confernce.

Rule #8 – Avoid party hopping. A guaranteed way to rack up expenses and waste valuable time during Winter Music Conference week is by party chasing. Don’t leave a good party in search of a better one, you will regret it. Try to map-out your itinerary and avoid only hitting up the big venues. This will ensure you don’t spend most of your night in line. And remember, the best place in the world is wherever your friends are!

The last thing you are going to want to do while in Miami during Winter Music Conference is sleep; and since Miami parties till dawn and sleeps in the morning all year-round anyway, the place for most locals to sleep and shower is typically the beach. But before you arrive to Miami read our “Sleeping with Miami” guide to find the perfect place to sleep, store your stuff and get some off-the-dance-floor action during one of the wildest weeks of your life.

Where to stay.

If you want to be in the heart of all the action, and noise, be sure to stay in South Beach between Collins & Washington Ave from 3^rd through 23^rd St., this is where most of the parties will be. You could even go as far us as 43rd St. but the farther you get away from 23rd, the farther you will have to walk.

To get away from the noise and to have a more peaceful time during Winter Music Conference, consider staying in these parts of the city.

• North Miami Beach Area – Anything south of Bal Harbor, but North of 64th Street, including Surfside and North Shores
• Downtown – Can be accessed by bus, and is just over one of two bridges from the beach. If you’re going to WMC to attend Ultra and nothing else, consider the Intercontinental Hotel, which faces Bayfront Park, where the event is held, or the Holiday Inn off Biscayne Blvd across from the Bayside Shopping Center.
• Wynwood – A blossoming art district just west of the design district. While hotels are scarce in the area, it is conveniently located.
• Design District – Located north of Downtown proper, the Design District runs from 36th street until around 59th and houses some of the best restaurants in Miami.
• Upper East Side – This area has been developing like mad lately. New houses, condos, restaurants, and art galleries are popping up every day. The area runs from 69th street to around 85th and is new as well as hip. (If you end up here, be sure to eat at Dogma for some amazing hot dogs)
• Brickell – If you somehow find a Brickell condo at a decent price, don’t look anywhere else. While you’re not directly on the strip, you’ll never be more than 20 minutes away. Brickell has some of Miami’s most beautiful city views.
• Airport Area – It’s just off the 112, which takes you to downtown, or connects you directly to the 195 towards the beach.
• The Roads – The area just south of Brickell, located near Viscaya and the Science Museum has limited hotel choices, but it provides not only easy access to the beach and downtown, but is also centrally located to Coral Gables and Coconut Groves, which are huge shopping and dining districts.

Keep in mind that while Miami is a relatively safe city to vacation in, there are certain parts that have a worse reputation than others, especially in terms of tourists. Here are a few places you do not want to stay in.

• Overtown – Located just northwest of Downtown Miami, Overtown is bound by NW 5th Street to the south, I-95 and the Dolphin Expressway to the northwest, NW 1st Avenue to the east, and the Miami River to the southwest. It is one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, and as such has a higher crime rate than a lot of the city, as well as a reputation as a rough spot.
• Hialeah – While Hialeah isn’t exactly unsafe anymore, it definitely has not become any easier to get around. It’s easy to get lost in a city where W 49th St is also NW 103rd St, and even locals have a tough time finding their way. If you do make it out to Hialeah, make sure you have access to a mobile app such as Google Maps, have a GPS system like a Tom-Tom, or are an avid map reader.
• Little Haiti – While northern Biscayne is home to some of Miami’s newer trendy places to hang out (an area referred to as the Upper East Side) it’s also home to one of the most diverse cluster of communities. Little Haiti is the center of Haitian culture in Miami, and as such, offers visitors a unique Caribbean experience. However, care should be taken if walking around on foot, especially at night, as the area is high in burglary.

Lodging choices.

Your options for lodging during Winter Music Conference are condos, hotels, hostels and for the adventurous type – the beach.

Condos (Villas & Mansions)

+ Average Cost: $3,000-$10,000/week – get one for the entire month for just as much.
+ Hook Up Probability: Good. The closer you are to the strip and nicer the condo, the better chance you have.
+ Pros: Piece of mind, no mini bar prices, fit as many people as possible to split costs.
+ Cons: No room service, it’s hard/expensive to find a rental in South Beach, and potential for scams.

The longer you plan on staying in Miami the more money you can save by renting a condo. However, a lot of owners are scared shitless of Winter Music Conference and will make you sign all these crazy “no partying” agreements (usually).  It’s a bit of a headache and you might get scammed too (countless people are scammed every year).

Going directly through the homeowner does work for some people, but it is best to go through an agency, to avoid the risk not having a place to sleep when you get in town on the beach, and losing your money. However, if you prefer to deal directly with owners, use of many websites which also provide services where the actual owner (not working through an agency) rents out the condo to those looking to use it for vacation (rates available for both weeks and months at a time.)  Check out these sites Home Away , VRBO and  Vacation Rentals.

When searching on these sites, email every single one that looks like it might fit your criteria. Next, try and deposit a down payment (usually around 50%) through paypal.com and pay the rest when you get there.  Never pay the entire price up front.

Hotels

+ Average Cost: $100-500/night
+ Hook Up Probability: High. Close by neighbors who love to part as much as you do. Penthouse = guarantee.
+ Pros: Room service (most have included breakfast), 24hour maintenance, pool access, hotel parties.
+ Cons: Limit on number of people allowed, most expensive and rules.

Hotels dominate the landscape on SoBe and downtown Miami; there is no shortage of them.  However, as we approach the conference dates the prices skyrocket, so NOW is the time to search for the best deals.  Most Hotels and resorts provide very luxurious amenities for their guest in order to offer an exquisite stay for those who need to be pampered.  Here are some of the more high-profile stays:

• Eden Roc Beach Resort & Spa: This hotel is the official host hotel of WMC 2010 with room specials starting as low as $219 per night.
• Fountainebleu: This extravagant resort not only host an over the top array of luxury and style, it is also home to the high-profile nightclub Liv,  a sushi bar named Blade lounge, and the pool side bar Glow.  Currently promotions are running for rooms starting at $299 per night.
• The Shelborne Resort: Many official WMC parties are held at this resorts pool every year, with the DJ Mag opening party featuring David Guetta among others being quite the spectacle to witness.  Check the website for promotions.
• The Gansevoort- One of the most impressive hotels on the beach, the newly renovated Gansevoort welcomes visitors with a jaw dropping shark tank in the lobby, true Miami style. Modern design throughout, access to some of the best pool-side parties and conveniently located, the Gansevoort will make you feel like royalty, with a matching price tag.
• The Delano – The pool at the Delano is famous. The hotel, and its restaurant, The Blue Door, are celebrated as Iconic for the city. While the Delano doesn’t typically host many WMC events, it is centrally located to pretty much all the action.

The hotels above are undoubtedly your higher end stays, trying to find lower priced rooms to be a little tricky, however doable.  Start by scouring your standard sites like Hotels.com and Travelocity.  Here are some mid priced hotels:

• The Kent Hotel: A funky choice for young travelers, the Kent has playful appeal. Psychedelic colors and geometric shapes define the lobby, while rooms are decked out in lilac and steel.
• The Hotel Chelsea: This is an outstanding choice for jet-setters on a budget, this Art Deco gem has a Feng Shui feel. Bamboo floors and Japanese-style futon beds make rooms stylish and relaxing.
• The Chesterfield: An African jungle safari theme reigns at this renovated Art Deco designer hotel. Extras include a free breakfast, nightly cocktail hour with a DJ spinning hip hop music, and VIP access to several hot nightclubs located nearby.

For the lowest prices, some Miami specific search engines are worth a shot, such as Miami.Bookit or Miami-Bookings.  As a disclaimer, the cheapest hotels can be found near the airport which is on the opposite of downtown Miami from SoBe, and may call for expensive cab rides.  Here are a couple of the lowest priced stays:

• Hyatt Place Miami Airport: From the outstanding guest services, activities and on-site amenities, The Hyatt Place is sure to please travelers of all kinds. Take advantage of the amazing location, and close proximity to MIA International Airport.
• Sofitel Miami: This hotel is ideally situated just 5 minutes from Miami International Airport, 15 minutes from beautiful beaches and 10 minutes from the Port of Miami.
• Red Roof Inn Miami Airport: located off I-95 at SR 836, four miles west of downtown Miami, and approximately one mile from Miami International Airport. The hotel provides affordable and comfortable accommodations for both business and leisure travelers.

For more wallet friendly hotels, see our post on the 10 best places to lay your head (or your date) for less

Hostels

+ Average Cost: $30-$75/night
+ Hook Up Probability: No chance. Stick with the beach…or bathrooms.
+ Pros: Cheap as hell.
+ Cons: Little to no privacy, share common space and bathrooms.

Those traveling on a dime mainly want somewhere to stash luggage, shower, and sleep (although you won’t get much of that!)  This is why in recent years hostels and budget hotels have gotten really popular amongst WMC goers.  By ridding themselves of extra amenities and sticking to the basics, hostels offer a much lower price than both condo’s and hotels.  Sites such as HostelWorld and Hostels.com provide a search engine where one can find and book rooms in virtually any major world city including Miami.  These sites also provide a calculated average customer rating so one can make an informed decision when making the final booking.  Here are a few popular locations:

• Jazz City Hostel: The Jazz on SoBe is meant for the international party kid.  They provide breakfast, and an open bar.  And its house music all day and night as the guests mingle in the lobby before heading to the clubs!
• The Tropics Hotel & Hostel: As with most hostels Europeans are prominent, however this place comes with a swimming pool, and a bar to chat up the hot foreign girl you’ve had your eye on all day.
• The Shelley Hotel: for a low price one can book a very swank dorm, and last WMC the hostel hosted various DJ’s that turned the front lobby into a dance floor.
• The Clay: this is by far one of the most well decorated hostels I have ever visited.

Beaches

+ Average Cost: Free, unless you get arrested, or get your stuff stolen mid-sleep
+ Hook Up Probability: Low. If he/she is an exhibitionist and doesn’t mind Miami sand in their ass you may have a shot. Be sure to prepare a good excuse before anything gets started. “David Guetta is in my penthouse at the Standard right now partying. Let’s do it on the beach.” usually works for me.
+ Pros: It’s a beach. Come on.
+ Cons: See above + it is illegal.

For those of you who are a little adventurous sleeping on the beach is an option – but I don’t advise it. Sleeping next to the calm Miami ocean may seem romantic but it is illegal. It is, after all, considered by the city to be a public park, and as with any public park, sleeping overnight is prohibited. As a general rule, sleeping is only legally allowed on the beach during daylight hours, so if you’re one of those “I-don’t-go-to-bed-till-the-sun-comes-up” types, this may just work for you.

If you’re dead set on being adventurous, here are a few beaches that make for decent sleep…and romantic love-making.

• South Beach, between 1st and 3rd (Penrod’s) – You get a lovely view of the Miami skyline if you go closer to the pier, but run a higher risk of getting caught.
• South Beach, between 5th and 15th – The buildings here arent directly on the ocean, and the walkway buffer provides some privacy from on lookers. But beware, this is a busy area, so if you’re gonna do it, you’re gonna have to be creative.
• Key Biscayne Causeway – While its out-of-the-way, this beach offers you the best view of the Miami Beach Skyline. If you’re not driving, your chances of getting caught are surprisingly low.
• The Golden Beach area north of Sunny Isles – If you’re not driving, don’t even think about. If you are, then this may be your best bet. You’re far enough away from the strip that cops aren’t out looking, and you can hide in the sea grape if necessary.

Under any and all circumstances, do not attempt to sleep anywhere near the Julia Tuttle Causeway. This is the bridge portion of the 195 that connects downtown Miami to South Beach. While its prime location may be appealing, and the bridge provides cover from the rain, you’ll be sharing your zz’s with a colony of sex offenders, which says little in the way of safety.

Whether you decide to book a condo, hotel, or hostel do your homework! Due diligence is a sure way to avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival.

No one wants to wait in line when they have so many places to go and DJ’s to see. If you are looking to get inside the party faster during Winter Music Conference we have laid out six options and their cost for you.

#1 All Access Pass or F*ck You Wristband – Nothing will get you into a Winter Music Conference party faster then having either of these passes. Offered by Opium Group and Vice Ventures, the two biggest nightclub owners in Miami,  hold up one of these bad boys at the door of the respective venue and be escorted inside, leaving everyone else in line. For more info visit All Access Pass and F*ck You Wristband.

Cost: $150-$900

#2 Bottle & Table Service – The second best way to get into almost any party is to pay for table and bottle service. Table service at any venue includes party admission for each person in your group and allows you to jump the line. Their are three ways to buy a table depending on the venue. Some venues make table service packages available as an option at the time of ticket purchase through Wanttickets.com. Another way to guarantee you a table is to book your table ahead of time directly from the venue. You can also book your table at the venue the time of the party, however, we strongly advise against this since most good parties will sell all of their tables. Check out our Miami table service directory.

Cost: $800 – $5,000 depending on number of people in your group

#3 Buy Tickets Early – Another sure way, and most commonly used, is to buy tickets before you get to Winter Music Conference for the parties you know you are going to attend. Having a ticket in hand when you arrive to the party means no waiting in the much longer General Admission line and guarantees you get into the party. You can start purchasing party tickets as early as January from Wanttickets.com or whichever method the promoters are using, and pick up tickets . Tickets will be available for sale at the doors of most venues but it is always safer to have tickets to avoid long general admission lines and increased prices the day of the event.

Cost: Pre-sale ticket prices range from $10-$40. Expect to pay twice as much the day of the party.

#4 Winter Music Conference Badge – All delegates, fancy word for Winter Music Conference badge holders, have access to free or discounted “Official Events”. There are typically a 100 or so parties each year that will accept the WMC badge. To find out which parties are free or discounted check out The List and look for “Official Event”.

Cost: $235-$475 depending on time of purchase.

#5 RSVP – If you are invited to a party or know a promoter or performer be sure to RSVP for their guest list. This will get you inside faster and for free. There are dozens of free RSVP only parties during Winter Music Conference, but you need to be in the know to get word of it.

#6 Tip the Doorman - When all else fails tipping the doorman works. Figure $100 per person, anything less is insulting during Winter Music Conference week.
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Arrive Early - The most important of them all! Regardless if it is a daytime, afternoon or night party, try to be on time if you know it’s going to be a popular party to avoid the venue hitting capacity or getting greedy. There is nothing worse then standing in line for an hour for a party that you bought a ticket for a month ago or arriving at 3pm party that started at noon and having to wait and pay even though you have the WMC badge. If the venue is at capacity, no one is getting in.

Have Your ID Ready -  A valid (not expired) passport, drivers license or government issued ID is required to get into all parties. Most Miami nightclubs have a strict door policy when it comes to checking for identification, however, during Winter Music Conference it is known that minors have infiltrated many parties. All Miami nightclubs are 21+ years up unless otherwise specified. If you are under 21 years of age stick to Ultra Music Festival and pool parties at your hotel.

Network - Believe it or not, knowing the doorman, DJ or promoter actually does work during Winter Music Conference. While you in Miami be sure to meet as many people you can.  From the people on the plane to the person at the hotel bar, you never know who you are going to meet. Just be sure to ask them to put your name on their guestlist and take their name and phone number just to be sure.

Dress Code – During Winter Music Conference dress codes are pretty much the same from venue to venue in Miami. You can wear anything or nothing at all to daytime parties. At night, guys must wear pants (no shorts) and girls just look your best without over doing it.  Be ready to dance, party and sweat so you can leave your suits and gowns at home.

Bring Girls – Miami is no different then your hometown. Attractive girls are like currency. The higher the quantity and quality of females in your group, the better the chance you have of getting inside faster. Just have one of them walk to the front of the line, make eye contact with the person in charge and politely ask, “can my hot group of friends get inside?”.

Know When to Leave - If there is a large line ask the doorman how long the wait is. They are pretty good at judging how long you will have to wait if you are at the back of the line.This is also a good time to flirt your way in.  If it is more then an hour, you should consider leaving and checking out another party.

Be Polite – Above all else, treat the people at the door with respect. In most cases they are not trying to ruin your fun and are doing everything in their power to get you in the door. Being rude will not get you in faster, in fact it may just have you not getting in at all. Take a deep breath and remember you are in Miami bitch! Enjoy it.

When it comes to producing and promoting a successful party during Winter Music Conference week in Miami it takes planning, knowing the right people and a lot of promotion…and a little experience doesn’t hurt either. So, we asked our friends Matt Ladner who has promoted for Mad Decent and Tony Garcia of Phuel Marketing for some advice. Matt has thrown a number of very successful Winter Music Conference parties over the years and Tony is an industry veteran who is producing his first WMC parties this year. Here is what they had to say.

Matt says…….…….

1) Location, location, location. Throwing parties in offbeat places can easily go wrong. Even with the best intentions planning a party from thousands of miles away and months out can create a dangerous/bad situation. You always want to scout your location and never take someones word on a location. For example, last year one of my favorite labels in the world threw a daytime party that is notorious for being one of the best day shows. It was held at a marina on the bay. A massive Void audio sound system was brought in from Europe, and Jesse Rose and many many other big names were booked. The party was scheduled form 12pm – 10pm. We arrived a little after 2pm to discover that the marina was connected to a large hotel and shortly after the party started the people in the hotel had begun to complain about the sound. On top of that the wind blowing off the bay was literally 30 mph. It was miserable. In theory the location sounded great but had it been properly scouted by any experienced promoter before hand I am sure something better would have been worked out.

2) Work with someone local. There are probably a hundred or more promoters in the Miami area that throw thousands of parties a year. Finding someone that has connections with sound guys, light guys, venues, etc will make you party planning a million times easier. They also have a good sense of what kind of parities will work in what spaces, as well as knowledge of permits and city laws regarding alcohol sales. You will find that you cant pay enough for that kind of insider knowledge. (2010 most connected Miami promoter is Overthrow)

3) Hire a marketing company. I always find it best to work with a marketing company to help offset expenses and help with logistics. I work with Revolt Marketing, they do everything from getting flyers designed to finding sponsors and booking talent. They are heavily involved with several venues in the Miami area and are one of my biggest allies when planning a show.

4) Expect to be very “flexible”. With all the shows happening in the span of a week crazy things will happen, artists will cancel for a bigger booking, people will jump in the dj booth for a picture, time slots will get shuffled, a smoke machine will get stuck in the on position, someone will puke behind the decks. The way you handle those kinds of obstacles will ultimately determine the vibe of your party and the success of your WMC show.

Tony says…………..

1) Planning and budgeting. In my experience roundtables are very important for ideas to be generated. It should include people with the backgrounds of marketing coordinators, event planners, public relations specialists, and music directors. We gather costs and put together a budget and make decisions based on expenses which include marketing, travel, entertainment and staff.

2) Book a location, then book talent. Finding the right venue can be difficult. You are shopping for something that has to be the size, location based on demographics, a layout that can be easy to work with, the right price, and a owner of the venue who is open to ideas. Once you find a location, book your talent for the party. Some promoters decide on the talent before deciding the space. I like to decide on talent after and that is because the venue can sometimes create an aura. The lights and sound should be in a fashion according to the space. The talent will then create the night.

3) Promote months in advance and week of. The party needs to be promoted months ahead of time since many WMC attendees will purchase their tickets before they arrive in Miami, and as early as January. To promote your party you will need two things – a place to sell your tickets and marketing/press to drive traffic to that place. Most promoters use Want Tickets to sell tickets. Once you set up your ticket system, be sure to send out press to Winter Music Conference organization, and highly visible EDM and WMC related websites, like this one. The week of Winter Music Conference be sure to spend some time networking so you can pass out handbills/flyers. For Winter Music Conference, I do not like to be the first to throw an event because I like to promote during the first events and network at the location of where the actual conference takes place.

4) Rehersal and event day. All events should have a rehearsal before they go live just to make sure that we are ready and all staff is in place. The day of the event is always the hardest. You have to be calm and presentable. It is also important to be sober. Like everything in life, such as a date or a new job, come early to your party and make sure everything is good to go. Make sure you stay on top of everything and keep in touch with your contacts there. This is your responsibility so make sure your talent gets there okay and plays a good professional set. You never know who will be listening.

General tips.………….

1) Pitching your idea. You want to establish contact with the venue’s events or sales department via phone, although emails won’t hurt either. Finding the right person to speak with isn’t hard to do; it’s what you say that will determine everything. You have to let them know you have a serious interest in throwing a well-run party. Remember that one phone call is your only chance with that person to make a good impression. After all, they are trusting you with their venue during the busiest week of the year!

2) Signing contracts. Many venues will want you to sign a contract for liability and services rendered (the party). Depending on the venue, the terms and conditions to throw a party can vary. Some places want a deposit of up to $15,000 so that if the party doesn’t work out, they will still make money. Some places want a fee, and they supply their own bartenders and the security, leaving you to make money from the door.

Next you need to establish the equipment situation (i.e. sound system, cd-j’s, mixers, etc).  The venue may not be able to supply any and you will have to bring your own. That can be a big inconvenience, especially if you’re coming from out of town. Other places will simply let you have your party without any money to drop, but you won’t make money either. That can be negative especially if you want to book a headliner out of pocket.

3) Ask for favors. If you are well connected or partner with someone that is. Ask around to see if a headliner(s) will perform at your party for free or minimal cost for the exposure. Usually the agent for the talent will try to not let that happen, this is where having a good relationship with them will come in handy.  During Winter Music Conference week, there’s a good chance you can make your connections work for you and save a ton of money on talent…and ultimately make your party.

One of the must important things to remember when promoting a party during Winter Music Conference is inviting me. Send details to wmc@nightlyfe.com to get listed on our site and we will see you there.

You want your glow to come from the inside, not from irreversible skin damage caused by the sun.

One thing you don’t want to do at Winter Music Conference is to look like a tourist who just showed up without a clue and is just begging to be taken advantage of by shiesters and swindlers who do not have your best interests at heart. Here are ten things to avoid from doing at all costs unless you want to look like a Winter Music Conference and Miami newbie.

1. Wear your WMC badge around your neck, proudly showing it off to anyone who will look like it’s a car phone in the 80′s. Pop your collar and give us a fist-pump while you’re at it.

2. Get extremely sunburned to the point where your scalp starts to peel and your bright pink neon skin is distracting people on the dance floor from the strobe lights. Even in the shade and especially in the pool, the Miami sun will fry your face.

3. If you run into your favorite producer hanging out by the pool, be sure to gush like a teenage girl meeting Robert Pattison. Scream loudly while you jump up and down and then demand a signature for your grandma.

4. Party hop as much as possible, never staying at any one event half the time it took you to get inside, even if you are having a blast- because the grass must be steazier at the other party, right? Judge the success of your WMC by the number of parties you went to- NOT by how much fun you had.

5. Don’t read the fine print on party flyers and advertisements, assuming that the start times, artists or cover charges never change. Believe what the DJ or promoter told you is set in stone. Show up to the party with the flyer in your hand and make a stink when you realize you read it wrong and the event is tomorrow.

6. Pay the first price offered when shopping at stores on Collins Avenue, assuming they never overcharge people and that you can’t haggle them down. Don’t worry about packing the right things; just plan to buy all your clothes once you arrive in Miami.

7. Plan your nights based around what you can get for “free,” like free drinks at clubs before 10PM, free gift bags of useless schwag and free entry to parties. Believe every ‘free’ offer that you see. Carry no cash.

8. Pay your restaurant bill without looking and then slap down a 20% tip, not realizing that many Miami restaurants already add a service fee of 15% during WMC.

9. Get sloppy drunk as often as possible, forcing your friends to leave the club and take care of you as you puke blue malt liquor smoothies into the elevator of your hotel before passing out in a plant in the hallway. Everyone loves to babysit their friends!

10. Assume that the club scene and music industry work the same way in Miami as they do in your hometown. Become indignant and really pissed off when you find out that they don’t. Yell at bouncers as often as possible to relieve your frustration.

Even if it is your first time to Winter Music Conference, read our guides section to learn a few tricks of the trade before you arrive and people will be asking you for directions to the party.

You are not in Kansas anymore.

"Is this the way to Future Sound of Breaks?"

Whether you’re a musician or just a music enthusiast, having a general idea of what types of technology DJ’s and performers are using during Winter Music Conference will help to round out your experience and give you some insight into where the life of your party is coming from.

Where DJ culture started – Two turntables & a mixer

Two Technics 1200's were the standard for years, with mixer of choice.

It used to be simple. Two turntables and a mixer. A DJ would put a vinyl record on a turntable, use the volume faders and EQ on the mixer, and the sound would head on out to the speakers, where the music would rock your body and blow your mind. Between tracks, DJ’s had to duck down into their record bags, flip through sleeves until they found the right EP, and then come back up for air. The DJ’s could even hold the record up in the air, teasing you, and you could recognize the track just by its album artwork …

Then came CD turntable technology

Two CD decks and a mixer

Then CD decks came along, and everything changed. Suddenly, DJ’s didn’t have to lug around 200lbs of vinyl to play a show, so they could carry around more music. And they didn’t actually have to buy vinyl anymore, at all. They could download songs and burn them onto a CD. And the music on the CD didn’t have to be on an official release. It could be a track their friend made, or a collection of samples from a movie. And, they could use the numbers on the digital display of the CD deck to cheat (just a little bit) when they were matching beats. So the skill set for DJ’s changed. It didn’t take at least five years of practice and thousands of dollars of vinyl to be an awesome DJ; instead, it took a good ear for music and a firm knowledge of equipment, and they were good to go.

Now we add computers to the mix

The basic Serato Scratch setup

Then came Serato Scratch. Now, with a specialized software/hardware combination, DJ’s could use a laptop to store music in instead of burning CD’s. Using either vinyl or CD control discs, their entire music library was with them. Add to that, now they had a computer screen in front of them showing the basic form of the song and a real-time display of when the beats hit. Creativity in track selection was becoming more and more important.

Then comes accessible, reliable production software

Ableton Live's session view, for live performances

And then came Ableton Live. With popular use of this computer software, this was when people who played electronic music for crowds switched from being ‘DJ’s’ to being ‘performers’. There was even some initial confusion among promoters how to say that performers were using Ableton vs. using CD’s or vinyl. That was when you started seeing the phrase “live PA” in tiny print next to the headliner’s name. That could also indicate that a performer was using actual hardware, but that distinction is a little fuzzy from the audience’s perspective.

With Ableton Live, artists could now produce their own music in pieces and play those pieces live, import tracks into their computers and pre-beatmap their songs so that it was impossible to make mistakes while they were mixing them, and do seamless live re-edits. Once again, the skill set for electronic music performers had changed. Now it was less about what they played, and more about what they could do with what they were playing.

Now we’re really getting crazy

Traktor Scratch Pro - just add a laptop and you're ready to go

Then came Native Instruments Traktor Scratch. With Traktor, they could do everything that they could with Serato, except now they didn’t even need a mixer, because the Traktor hardware box also functions as an audio card. That means that you can hook the outputs from the box directly to your amp and speakers. Plus, with Traktor, you could now add two additional virtual turntables, allowing you to mix off of four decks simultaneously. And now, there was a virtual mixer inside the Traktor software, essentially turning your computer into the mixer. Right around this time, companies were modeling MIDI controllers to act as turntables, mixers, and effects processors. All those extra breakout cables that come with Traktor allow you make those hook ups to your other control devices. Essentially, this all means that the audio from a show could technically be entirely contained within the computer. You could perform a whole show with a keyboard and a mouse, if you wanted, or go nuts with every processor you can plug in. As far as I know, the Traktor software was also the first DJ software to offer the “sync” button, which automatically fixes the timing of your beatmatching if it wasn’t quite on. The debate about whether using that button is cheating continues to rage on.

This piece of equipment costs more than my car did

Pioneer's new CDJ-2000

Now there are a few new types of CD turntables that accept thumb drives. So it gives the DJ the appearance of spinning CD’s, but the data itself is actually coming from hard drives (or iPods, in some cases). The new Pioneer CDJ-2000 CD decks even have a whole folder system that displays on a small screen on the player itself. I’ve heard it even makes a mean cup of coffee, and you can set it up to wake you up in the morning with a nice foot rub.

So just about everyone you see during WMC will be using some hybrid of these devices. The old-schoolers will be playing vinyl, the anti-computer DJ’s might play on CD decks, and the producers will probably be using Ableton with some combination of MIDI controllers to do live edits and effects processing. My best guess is that most of the DJ’s you see during Conference will be using Serato or Traktor Scratch with their laptops, while the live PA performers will mostly be using Ableton Live. It’s also common now for artists to work in pairs, each one controlling different parts of the performance process.

One quick early indication of what type of show artists are going to put on is whether they wear headphones during the show or not. If they do, that means they’re doing live beatmatching, or at least they are previewing what they are going to play for you next. If they don’t wear headphones, that means their beats are locked in, their material is pre-recorded, or they’re working with pre-matched material. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing, just something to be aware of.

As a member of the audience, being aware of what types of technology a DJ or performer is using can increase your appreciation of the time and type of skill sets that artists have to learn and master these days. It’s not quite so simple anymore.

Partying for a week straight is a conquest best left to the party professionals – and if you are attending Winter Music Conference, that would be you. While no one partakes in Winter Music Conference week for a good night’s sleep, a little shut eye is inevitable. Following our guide to refueling will help keep your energy up while minimizing your time down.

If you start feeling sick, sad or tired during the week, chances are the solution is very simple and you just need one of three things: food, water, or sleep. By keeping tabs on your energy level, you can ward off waves of lagging lethargy by making sure you keep your body stocked up on these three variables.

Eat.

Protein is the key to sustained energy during Winter Music Confernce or anywhere else. Sugar and fat-laden snacks will give you a quick burst of mojo, but to dance all night you need protein. If you have a high metabolism and tend to get hungry (and grouchy) fairly often, carry a few granola bars or some trail mix with you so that you don’t have to shell out cash or drag your friends to a restaurant every time you need food.

Dining out in Miami can run you $6-$50+ per meal, and if you let yourself become exceedingly hungry, you are more than likely to end up overpaying for a meal just to get something in your belly. Plan ahead with your meals and you will save money. Whatever you do, don’t head out for a night of heavy drinking on an empty stomach. After three or four drinks you will be on Cloud Nine; after a few more you will be on the floor under a table.

What you eat in Miami is often determined by the time of day:

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfasts can be great because there is nothing better than treating yourself to a big, greasy breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, hash browns, coffee and orange juice after waking up with a head full of fuzz. However, you will probably be waking up around 4PM, so be sure to check your hotel’s breakfast hours before you count on a big breakfast.
• Lunch: If you want to go out for a nice meal, it is usually less expensive to do so for lunch rather than dinner. Hit up one of the many street vendors selling Cuban sandwiches – it might just be the best meal you eat while in Miami.
• Dinner: There are no shortage of excellent restaurants in Miami to choose from; ask locals for advice and have at least one nice meal while in Miami even if you eat PB&J the rest of the week.

Sleep.

While sleep is no doubt the last thing on your mind as you prepare for Winter Music Conference, the sad truth is that you will probably have to get a few winks in during the week. Do so smartly, and you can limit the time you spend recharging in favor of more moving endeavors.

• Timing is of the essence when refueling. If you stay up for three nights in a row before your favorite DJ is scheduled to play on Saturday night, chances are you will crash and miss the highlight of your week. This might mean going back to the hotel to sleep on Saturday morning so that you can make it out Saturday night; only you can judge whether you need rest and fuel, so pay attention to your body’s needs or you will suffer the consequences.
• Bring an eye mask and ear plugs. While a few of you may have a private hotel room or roommates who won’t make a peep when you decide to sleep, the other 99% of us will have to deal with less than ideal sleeping arrangements and must bring these items to shut out some of the light and sound. When ear plugs aren’t cutting it, headphones and an MP3 player can better block out the noise.
• All hail the power nap. Getting your Z’s in where they fit in may have your friends laugh at you as you nod off for thirty minutes in the back booth of a club or on the beach, but you’ll be the one smiling hours later when they head back to the hotel and sleep through the next party.

Drink…water.

No secret here, the number one cause of sickness and pain while partying is dehydration. Don’t wait until you get thirsty to drink water; rather have consistently throughout the day. To avoid paying for $5-$10 waters, bring your own water bottle and sip on it all day long.

• Along with your water you might want to take a multivitamin every day and especially a big dose of, such as the one provided by packets of Emergen-C. Certain “party favors” require vitamin C to work their magic and will thus deplete your body of its natural resources. You must fill those stocks of vitamin C back up, or you will be tired and sleepy – and your drugs won’t work as well. No vitamins? Try to drink orange juice as often as possible; this can be as easy as choosing a Screwdriver over a Jack and Coke.
• Other beverages can hydrate you, so consume the following whenever possible: juices, soft drinks, punch, smoothies, tea and coffee all contain water and will up your fluid intake.
• Alcoholic drinks have the opposite effect of these fluids and actually dehydrate you while you drink them; your body needs an extra glass of water just to offset the dehydrating qualities of the shot of tequila you just downed. You know the horrible headache you get when you’re really hungover? It’s your brain hitting your skull, because the cushy pad of fluid around it has been sucked dry.
• The more water you drink, the less hungover you will be. To minimize hangovers, before you crash for the night drink a giant glass of H20 and pop two Tylenol, but never Advil- unless you like it when your stomach bleeds. Click here for more tips on beating your hangover.
• Caffeine as we all know can provide the spark your brain needs to switch from zombie-mode to party mode. Many hotels will have a small coffee maker, and true addicts can travel with a French press to make pristine cups of caffeine wherever they go. Be wary of Vivarin because it is easy to take too much, and if you don’t like coffee, a chemical-rich Red Bull can do the trick as well.

Follow this refueling trio and who knows…you may even be able to keep up with me.

The best way to stand out from the other 70,000 people attending Winter Music Conference is table service. Known for their velvet ropes and reserved areas Miami nightclubs really know how to separate general admission and their “very important people”. If you are looking to to be considered VIP there are a few Very Important Procedures and People you should know to ensure you get serviced properly.

Very Important Procedures

Booking your table. When reserving your table, it’s best to do it as early as possible. Quite simply put, there are only so many tables available at each nightclub and with the influx of people in town partying most popular nightclubs will sell out of their tables each night. The best way to go about securing a table at a party you want to attend is buying a “pre-sale table package” which about half the nightclubs offer – see our Pre-Sale Table Packages Directory. The other option is to book it in person at the time of the party.

Most, if not all, pre-sale tables need to be paid in full to secure table. If you purchase a pre-sale table over the phone be sure to ask for a reservation form and print it to take with you to the club. This will ensure that you are taken care of immediately at any of the venues and do not lose your table.

When booking your table be cautious of “specified seating” which some nightclubs will have. Typically the 1st seating is 10pm to 4:30am and 2nd seating is 5am to close. However, this may not apply to some clubs and varies in time. Also note that for prime tables such as stage and dance floor tables there is a higher bottle minimum.

Bottle service cost & minimums. The average cost of bottles begin at $250 (Absolute, Jim Beam, Tangeruy etc.) and you must add 30% to the base price for the tax and gratuity. So a $250 bottle will cost you $325 with tax and tip included. Most clubs have a “bottle minimum” which requires one bottle per 4 or 5 people, which means if you have a table of 8 to 10 people you must buy a minimum of two bottles ($650+ w/ tax and tip), and for 10 to 14 people you will be required to buy at least three bottles ($975+ w/ tax and tip).

The sooner you book your table packages or bottles, the cheaper it will be and the easier it will be for you to get away with a smaller bottle minimum. You can expect to pay $100-$200 more the day of an event and up to $400 more at the door of a popular party.

There are no substitutions for champagnes or bottles included in table packages. If you wish to buy a nicer bottle of champagne or liquor the difference will be added on top of the package.

The Other Very Important People

Having direct access, no middle man messing things up or overcharging you, is extremely important when booking your table. Here are our favorite Miami hosts to make sure you get serviced properly.

This marks the end of our guides and the beginning of the most unforgettable week of your existence. As the most complete and accurate source of all Winter Music Conference parties we considered the seemingly impossible…choosing the best Winter Music Conference parties that you should attend. But with over 200 parties with lineups spanning all genres of electronic dance music we couldn’t bring ourselves to telling you wish parties are the best- so we asked you.

After asking our knowledgeable readers what they feel are the best pool, boat, beach, free and night parties of Winter Music Conference 2010 we came up with our day-by-day list below to help make those difficult decisions of which parties to attend a little easier.

Tuesday, March 23rd

• Pool/Beach Party: DJ Mag Pool Party @ The Shelborne
• Free Party: Alter Ego
• Night Party: Supermartxe @ Nikki Beach

Wednesday, March 24th

• Pool/Beach Party: DJ Mag Pool Party / The Beachbombing
• Free Party: The Intricate Beauty Album Release Party w/ King Britt
• Night Party: Danny Howells: Dig Deeper Miami 2010

Thursday, March 25th

• Pool/Beach Party: HARD Pool Party / Juicy Beach
• Boat Party: Cosmic Gate & Friends Yacht Party
• Free Party: Do you Wanna Boogie?
• Night Party:  Juicy Beach with Robbie Rivera and Friends

Friday, March 26th

• Pool/Beach Party: Juicy Beach
• Boat Party: Sander Kleinenberg & Desyn Masiell Yacht Party
• Free Party: Beatport Pool Party
• Night Party: Future Sound of Breaks

Saturday, March 27th

• Pool/Beach Party: Get Wet Pool Party
• Boat Party: James Zabiela and Friends Boat Party
• Free Party: Slippery Glitch Hop Party
• Night Party: Miller Genuine Draft & Get Physical Music presents M.A.N.D.Y. LIVE

Sunday, March 28th

• Pool/Beach Party: Sunday School for Degenerates
• Free Party: Down with Rogue Dubs and Dubstep.FM
• Night Party: The Techno Loft presents Clink Showcase

What are your favorite  parties? Add them to the comments section below!

The week of Winter Music Conference can be overwhelming with the sheer number of events that are available to conference goers.  Every DJ, producer, or artist that you’ve ever wanted to see is going to be there, plus some that you’ve never even heard of, so it pays to plan ahead.

Look at available parties and pick your AMAE’s: ABSOLUTELY MUST ATTEND EVENTS

How many should you choose?  Five is a good number, or at least I would avoid more than one AMAE per day, although sometimes you can’t help a double header… but check to be sure that none of your AMAE’s conflict with each other. If you’ve been to WMC you already know what yours are, and if it’s your first year there are so many to choose from that narrowing it down is often the hardest task. A few of  AMAE’s are any Listed Productions Tikki Boat (last year I went on the Leeeeky and the Freaky Tikki), Crosstown Rebels party, ULTRA Music Festival, and Sunday School For Degenerates.

Buy pre-sale tickets for those events as early as possible

The tickets most of the time will be way cheaper and if you MUST ATTEND then this will save you the most money.  As Conference gets closer, the ticket prices will increase all the way up to the door price which can be more than double the “early bird special price.” The Sunday School for Degenerates tickets were around $40 early and more than $100 at the door. Here are a few links to buy your tickets now!

–TICKET LINK–

Pre-event Will Call

If available this is the best option to save on fees and lines. This allows you to pick up your tickets before the event at a centralized ticket location. Be sure to check note the operations hours for ticket pick-up, and if possible pick up all tickets on Tuesday. Then in most cases you’ll be able to go to the event, walk up to the door and breeze right in.

Choose your WLTAE: Would Like To Attend Events

This can be a very long list, and it doesn’t matter if they conflict. Also, don’t waste time planning out every minute of every day you’ll be at Conference; things change and it’s better to be flexible and have options, and often you’ll find things that you couldn’t plan for and wouldn’t have time for if you’re adhering to a minute by minute schedule.

Be polite to the bouncers and security staff

If you do end up waiting in line or for some reason the venue is “at capacity” even though you have a ticket… or any other possible issue, PLEASE be nice to the bouncers and staff. In most cases they are not trying to ruin your fun and are doing everything in their power to fix the situation and get you (the ticket holder) in the door. Being rude will not get you in faster, take a deep breath and remember it’s not personal, the bouncer is just doing his job.

Whether it’s your first time or your 15th, and no matter what you’re looking to get out of the experience, everyone at Winter Music Conference in Miami should hit the ground running with the basics. Don’t fret-you don’t need a Blackberry, even though you’ll see tons of them during the week. Some of these may be incredibly obvious, but using street smarts and making sure you’re equipped with these 10 things will get the job done:

1. BUSINESS CARDS. You’ll meet scores of people all week, many just once. Whether you bump into someone poolside or at a club at 3 a.m., exchanging business cards is a must. Giving someone your card is often the easiest way to become part of his or her database, and is way more professional than jotting your email down on a bar napkin. Cards don’t need to be fancy: your name, company affiliation (or job description if you’re self-employed), snail and email addresses, and phone number are the priorities. If you still need to order cards, it’s not too late. Visit VistaPrint, which even prints cards for free (just pay shipping) and, if you’re really crunched for time, have them shipped to your hotel. You should also have something to store cards you collect from others. A small notepad and pen are a smart investment, too-you never know when they’ll come in handy (and they’re useful in keeping a list of the parties you want to hit each day).

2. CASH. You’ll be on the go, and navigating the streets of South Beach on your Amex alone isn’t going to cut it. Taxi fare is a given-the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, site of the WMC panels and seminars, is way more than a walk from the bustling nighttime club scene. Don’t forget money for food, drinks, tips (even at parties with open bar) and whatever you “have to have” at 5 a.m. Many clubs will be packed, and paying cash instead of credit is much less of a hassle. Bring cash for cover charges as well, even if you’re “certain” you’re on the guestlist. The promise of your name being left at the door, and even free passes you walk up with in hand, don’t always translate into an automatic entrance. The best strategy: set a daily budget and take that much cash with you when you start your day-exorbitant ATM charges add up quickly.

3. CELL PHONE AND CHARGER. Coordinating with your posse among the chaos of WMC is not always as easy as it should be, and any number of snafus-people being held in lines outside clubs, missed appointments, etc.-will keep you on your toes. Communicating via cell phone and charging your battery often are vital to keeping the pace.

4. SAMPLES. No matter how you’re involved in the creative process, WMC is some of the best exposure your product can get. If you’re an artist, producer/re-mixer or label representative, promo copies of your work can create instant buzz. Format diversity always helps-vinyl purists will always clamor for exclusive 12″ but most people now accept (and many prefer receiving) CDs. CD-R’s (burned CDs) are inexpensive and easy to tote around. DJs on the hunt for club bookings should come armed with a demo mix on CD as well. The graphics don’t have to be pretty, but make sure your contact information (name, phone number, email address and, if you have one, Web site address) is included on the CD/12″ or sleeve.

5. BATTERIES. Your camera and portable music devices will be used extensively during the week, and chances are you’ll need to replace your batteries at some point. Hotel gift shops and convenience stores may run low or charge you the cost of a night’s bar tab, so it’s a good idea to stock up at Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. before you leave home.

6. SUNSCREEN. The forecast is for sunny skies and low ’80s temperatures all week, and whether chilling poolside at the Wyndham, hopping from barbeque to barbeque, or strolling Ocean Drive during some downtime, being prepared for tropical-intensity UV rays is a necessity. Take sunscreen with you wherever you go-you may not be able to get back to the hotel in time to reapply when you need.

7. AN EXTRA BAG. One thing is for sure: you’ll be coming home from Miami with more than you left with. Running out of room can be disastrous, especially if you’re flying, so take an extra bag with you to collect the new records, t-shirts, and assorted swag you’ll acquire during the week. Make sure it meets FAA and airline requirements for checked or carry-on luggage, whichever way you get it home.

8. CLOTHING VARIETY. WMC is not a fashion show, and t-shirts and shorts are more than acceptable at the Wyndham and afternoon parties, but it never hurts to show some style at night. You never know who will be taking your picture and where it will end up (especially if you run into our own DJ Ron Slomowicz along the way). For the guys, jeans or lightweight pants are fine for the clubs and go a long way when paired with a comfortable but classy shirt. Most venues don’t have dress codes, but dressing to impress has been known to ease entry into some self-important nightspots. Bring at least one pair of non-sneakers, but make sure they’re comfortable enough to power you through long nights.

9. TWO FORMS OF ID. It is quite possible that you might lose one in the heat of the night (another good point as to why you should bring cash and not carry your wallet when you hit the clubs/pools/mansions/hotel lobbies/bars/restaurants/etc.) and you’d be stranded outside the party explaining the bouncer at the door that you are really an immature looking 35 year old to no avail. So have a back up and leave it in your hotel room where it will be safe from your own mindless ventures.

10. COMFORTABLE SHOES. If you’ve been on Ocean and Collins Ave at night during the WMC you might have noticed that it is a bizarre version of a car show. Everybody and their mom are showcasing their just-washed and polished rides and they are going nowhere fast. Bumper to bumper, people hanging out of car windows, trying to pick up girls who are walking by and the like. So taking a cab on those streets is not always the best idea in peak hours. After 3am different rules apply. So look outside before you rush into the night and assess the situation. Walking, at least out of the area, might be your best bet. Don’t wear anything besides flip-flops at Ultra-you want to be able to dance for hours and hours and hours! *kp*