The Musikfest Music Industry Conference is set to return Aug. 2–4 at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem, building on its 2024 debut with expanded programs, new interactive opportunities, and a focus on bridging music education with the evolving professional industry.
The three-day event, presented by The Foundry Recording Studio, coincides with Musikfest, the nation’s largest free, ungated music festival, which runs July 31–Aug. 9 and draws more than 1 million attendees annually to the Lehigh Valley city.
Attendees — including music educators, artists, students, and industry leaders — will participate in interactive sessions, technology demonstrations, keynote addresses, and networking amid hundreds of live festival performances nearby.
“The return of the Music Industry Conference to Musikfest continues to build momentum with the addition of world class speakers addressing timely, cutting-edge topics,” said Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest’s chief programming officer. “For decades, Musikfest has brought the most diverse array of music to the Lehigh Valley; this event builds upon that with the diversity of thought leaders in the music field who will be present to share and collaborate.”
The conference features five thematic strands: Production & Live Events Operations, Performance & Artist Development, Music Business & Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Future Trends, and Modern Music Education. More than 30 panels and presentations will explore topics such as sound engineering, artist branding, AI in music, digital strategy, mental health for performers, and integrating industry practices into school curricula.
Keynote speaker Dr. David Cutler, author of “The Savvy Musician” and “The Savvy Music Teacher” and a prominent voice in arts entrepreneurship, will headline the event. Other featured presenters include The Museum of Music Technology Powered by EMEAPP, which will showcase electronic instruments and their role in live production and education; Underground Music Collective on authentic artist branding; Jeremy dePrisco continuing discussions on AI advancements since 2024; and Kevin Longwill and Luis Aguilar of Abington School District presenting on integrating artist development into school programs.
New for 2026 are the Band Showcase Program, where selected youth and emerging bands (ages 10-adult) receive professional coaching, perform on an official Musikfest stage, and get feedback from talent buyers, agents, and producers; and the Green Room Mentorship Lounge, offering one-on-one and small-group sessions with industry veterans, modeled after NAMM’s “Networking with the Pros.”
Jason Wegfahrt, studio director and engineer at The Foundry Recording Studio, highlighted the sponsorship as a way to elevate the Lehigh Valley as a hub for music creation.
“We believe the Lehigh Valley can become a nationally recognized home for music recording and creation because of the people here and the depth of talent within our community,” Wegfahrt said.
Tickets are available at artsquest.org/musikfest-music-industry-conference, with early bird pricing through March 1. Single-day passes are offered only for Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, while three-day passes include a special kick-off networking event on Aug. 2. Students qualify for discounted rates by emailing a photo of their school ID to gobert@artsquest.org.
The event is open to all ages, with those 17 and younger required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.