WAA :: Annual Conference

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Connections and Discovery

The Commons is WAA’s innovative take on the traditional
exhibit hall.

Our combination meeting, event, and exhibit space encourages discovery, conversation, and connection. We encourage you to explore The Commons at your own pace or schedule meetings in the hall during Accessible hours.
Open hours are the times artists and managers are required to staff their exhibits. See the conference schedule for details of Open and Accessible hours.

Sponsored by Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

New Colleagues' Orientation
Sponsored by NAPAMA
Tuesday, September 2, 4:30pm-5:30pm
The New Colleague/Mentor program is designed to ease your transition into the conference and facilitate your active participation in the field. Mentors are assigned before the conference and available to answer questions, provide advice, lend an understanding ear, and advocate for your success as a New Colleague at the conference. Please contact Robin if you would like to be matched with a Mentor, and plan to attend this event.

Dine-Arounds
Tuesday, September 2, 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM, meet in the Sheraton Lobby at 7:45 PM
Thursday, September 4, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, meet in the Sheraton lobby at 8:00 PM

Sign up at the conference for a Dutch-treat small group dinner with colleagues at a local restaurant. Dine-Arounds are wonderful opportunities to meet new folks and sample a taste of Seattle with your peers. Sign ups are on the bulletin boards at registration on the 3rd floor. There are many wonderful restaurants in Seattle and our Dine-Arounds will help you to enjoy their great flavors. We have 4 scheduled for Tuesday and four for Thursday.

If you are interested in hosting a Dine-Around in Seattle, please Contact us and we'll work with you to find a restaurant near by!

Artistic Threads
Delve into discipline tracks, artists, and work with Artistic Threads. This year’s threads include Jazz/Blues, World Music and Theater. Each thread includes guest speakers, performances, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities which all happen throughout the conference schedule.

Discovery Sessions
Thursday, September 4, 8:00am - 10:00am
Discovery Sessions provide opportunities for artists and artist managers to introduce projects to presenters within a two-minute pitch. Two sessions run simultaneously with five themed sessions all together. The pitch should be a highlight or teaser, and is meant to overview one or more artists or projects. This session is not a performance or an opportunity to hand out marketing materials, although you are permitted to mention your exhibit space number or a showcase you are doing during the conference. Discovery Sessions are great opportunities to not only pitch what you know, but also to learn more about your peers.

Artists with Fees of $5,000 or Less - 8:00 am - 9:00 am

World Music & Jazz - 8:00 am - 8:36 am

Theater & Spoken Word - 8:36 am - 9:00 am

Artists New to WAA - 9:00 am - 10:00 am
This session is open to members who are 'newer' to WAA than others. It takes a few years to get your ears wet at WAA, and this Discovery Session is meant to help members promote artists new to WAA over the past 2-3 years.

Chamber Music - 9:00 am - 10:00 am

If you are interested in participating, you must sign up in advance. Contact us and pick a session!

Roundtables and Workshops
Roundtables are topical open discussions. Share your ideas and learn from one another. This year’s list of topics will be available soon. Workshops are classroom sessions geared towards strengthening your understanding of specific issues. The full schedule of workshops will be published online once details are finalized.