The longest-running conference dedicated to dance music, the Winter Music Conference, returned to Miami for the first time in six years with two dozen insightful panels bringing artists and industry professionals, endless networking opportunities, and a festive first-ever hybrid Electronic Dance Music Awards and International Dance Music Awards show. The 35th edition of WMC unfolded on Wednesday and Thursday of Miami Music Week at the ritzy Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort.

Founded in 1985, WMC was its first electronic music conference of its kind and preceded the global fever of dance music. This year's panels happened at The Groove Room and The Rhythm Room adjacent to the lively hotel lobby that was buzzing with producers, record label representatives and music enthusiasts.

As attendees learned and shared ideas in the conference room, the Eden Roc pool area was simultaneously activated with the WMC Official Pool Party on Thursday. WMC laid the foundation for Miami Music Week in its epic form today and was the most proper way to gain wholesome industry knowledge and ease into the countless pool and warehouse parties and the 25th edition of Ultra Music Festival. Edmtrain rates WMC 2025 as stellar and below are some of the highlights:

From the early afternoon to the evening, both panel rooms were filled with attendees absorbing industry tips and secrets from artists including Alok, Sam Feldt and Young Franco, and record label executives and representatives from streaming platforms and all aspects of the business.

In the Forging Your Own Path: Essential Tools for Independent Artists panel on Wednesday, techno producer and TREGAMBE label owner Juliet Fox shared:

On Thursday at the Global Groove: Exploring the Flow of Dance Music Across Borders panel, Afro house producer Shimza stressed the importance of staying true to the sound you are elevating, regardless of the scenario. He explained: 

Legendary singer Crystal Waters, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Cultivating Tomorrow’s Dancefloor: Advancing Equity and Access Through Meaningful Change panel urged emerging artists to stand their ground and never give up. She said: 

Ahead of the closing keynote on Thursday evening, Ultra Worldwide's global communications manager, Jaime Sloane, delivered a moving recap of WMC's history and the significance of its return.

"After a six-year hiatus, WMC is finally back baby!" said Sloane. "This week, under the stewardship of Ultra Worldwide, WMC returned with a renewed sense of purpose. We're so proud to once again serve as a place where the dance music community can come to learn, build, connect, grow and inspire."

She pointed out that many speakers this year once attended WMC as young hopefuls, herself included, and dreamed of one day being on the stage. 

"The timing couldn't be more perfect," Sloane said. "WMC celebrates its 35th anniversary this week and we get to kick off Ultra's 25th anniversary edition tomorrow. Together, we reaffirm Miami as the global epicenter of dance music."

The closing keynote on 35 years of WMC was an exclusive conversation with two legends, Danny Tenaglia and Nicole Moudaber. The discussion was casual, candid and enlightening on how two producers rose to fame and have elevated their status amid the everchanging landscape of electronic music. Moudaber reminisced:

With a successful 35th anniversary of WMC in the books, Friday was dedicated to the inaugural EDMA/IDMA Awards Pool Party. The Eden Roc pool was transformed with a red carpet and a stage where DJs accepted their awards and performed short sets for fans.

Dozens of DJs came through for their awards including Alok and Hardwell and Armin van Buuren, who won Mainstage/Festival Song Of The Year for Follow The Light. Armin and Alok performed their collab Euphoria at the EDMAs stage and host Sean 'Hollywood' Hamilton congratulated Armin on winning Best Radio Show with A State of Trance for the third year in a row, and Label Of The Year with Armada Music. 

Hamilton revealed that 698,000 fans from around the world voted and that the awards were designed jointly by the MTV Moonman and Grammy Award designers.

"Not only it is the heaviest award in music today, and the most expensive – each one of these are about $1,000 apiece," he said. 

Armin thanked Hamilton for "giving electronic music the attention it deserves". He added:

See the full list of 2025 EDMA/IDMA winners here.

Leaving a strong impression with its return, WMC proved that it is an essential and unmissable part of Miami Music Week and set the tone for its years to come.