It’s that time of year again, when electronic music lovers all over the world start to plan out their trip to the beautiful, exotic city of Miami. The location is perfect, just like key be to lock. The rush of the sound mimics that of the hypnotic waves the ocean brings, not to mention the feeling of paradise those palm trees give. It’s the perfect combination; fresh beats, hot heat, cocktails to cool you down, all surrounded by the energy that just ties everyone together. We all live for the music, so why not revel in a week of celebration with each other?

Kinda hard to resist, right?

That’s why this will be, not 1, not 2, but my 8th year going! I know - I can never get enough. Being that I’ve gone so often, there are some tips I’d like to share with those of you going for the first time. If you’ve gone before, still stay tuned as you may gain from these tips as well.  

Tip #1 – Plan ASAP: This isn’t like your normal, “I’ll do whatever & arrive fashionably late for the party!” Not even close. The sooner you start planning (I recommend when dates are released, usually Oct.) the more carefree you’ll be for this ultra fun week. That includes rounding up your people, deciding who’s truly down to live it up and scoping out places to stay. In my experience, if you have a larger group, staying in a condo or house for the week is best and way more affordable! South beach hotels love to jack up the prices, as they know this week is where they make the most money.

Tip #2 – Booze & Grub: On the real, this is where most your money goes, if you’re not smart about it. There are plenty of liquor stores around, so peep those out & make yourself some drinks before you head out. It’s like Vegas, you can pretty much walk & drink everywhere, so make the most of your pennies, because drinks inside some venues can be well over $15 a piece! WetWillies, off 8th & Ocean St., is one of my favorite spots; just two Superman special mixed smoothies and you are set to go! Swing by on your way to a party. As for food, they will entice you every step you take on Ocean Dr., so beware. One nice night for dinner is fine, but in Miami, they’ll tack on mad gratuity no matter how small your party. Fill your room with snacks & stay hydrated!

Tip #3 – Packing Smart: When you think of Miami, you think glitz & glam .. but not for the conference. You want to be comfortable! Bring lots of loose clothing that will be easy to toss off if you get too hot. The humidity & winds there are no joke. Expect the unexpected. Pack shoes you can walk in, because to get cabs in south beach aren’t as easy as you would think; it’s better to walk. Sunscreen, band-aids & Tylenol are just a few items you should bring with you, as well.

Tip #4 – Parties: The great thing about the conference is that WMC provides “The List” which is like your bible all week! Parties will be added daily as it gets closer to the week of. A nice feature is that on that site you can save lists of parties that you’re interested in attending and just print out those parties to keep handy in your hotel room. Some parties, especially the day ones, actually have free guest lists, if you sign up early. Look out for them and print out the email confirmations they send you as proof. Get a folder, be organized ahead of time, because I guarantee once you are there, you’ll lose your mind!

Following these tips and having an open-minded, carefree group surrounding you, you are bound to have the time of your life! You’ll leave WMC with new friends, new beats & inspiration to carry you to through the rest of the year. It’s a memorable experience and let me just tell you, that every year I go, it’s completely different. Like I said, expect the unexpected and feed off the vibrant energy the people give!

See you all out there!

Peace & Love,
Vanessa Marie