James MINOR

Head of Music Festival, South by Southwest (USA)

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South By Southwest dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.

Mchael HOLLETT

President/Managing Director, North by Northeast (Canada)

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Michael Hollett is the founder of North by Northeast (NXNE) one of the largest music festivals in Canada, held every June in Toronto. NXNE was formed in partnership with Austin's SXSW in 1995. This year's festival just completed last week and attracted over 150,000 attendees. NXNE features a huge free, three day music festival in the middle of the city, they close down Toronto's main street for the entire weekend. Artists like: Iggy and the Stooges, Flaming Lips, Chrvches, St. Vincent, Post Malone, the Weeknd, The National, Azealia Banks, Run the Jewels, and thousands more have played the festival. NXNE has also added a major eSports gaming tournament, comedy, visual arts and more over the years. Hollett also co-founded NOW Magazine, the largest alternative newsweekly in North America. He has traveled the world scouting for music talent and interviewing artists for years.