The Get Connected Summit (GCS) annually brings together leaders and enthusiasts in the electronic music, media and technology industries to explore and develop innovative opportunities across these increasingly converging sectors.



October 2nd & 3rd, 2008 marked the first annual Get Connected Summit, hosted at Pyramind’s facilities at 880 and 832 Folsom St. in downtown San Francisco. The summit was formulated as a networking event to bring together electronic music industry professionals, artists, media, and technology leaders in ways that were both interactive and educational. There were panel discussions lead by industry pros, workshops, and of course the quintessential swag goodies for all attendees. The event was conceived of and produced by Gregory J. Gordon, Marisol Segal, Terrance Allan and David Cutler and brought numerous components of the San Francisco scene together by forming a partnership between Pyramind, The San Francisco Entertainment Commission, The San Francisco Lovefest, and The San Francisco Late night Coalition.

Keeping attendees excited and informed in a way that creates a positive atmosphere for creating new relationships and forging new ventures is never easy but Get Connected was able to bring together an impressive line up of industry leaders and cutting edge artists in a way that is rarely seen. Sponsors and Exhibitors included Dolby, The Game Audio Network Guild, Independent Distribution Collective, Seagate Technologies, IK Multimedia, Heineken, Electronic Musician, Remix magazine and many more.

The engaging and relevant panels where very well attended and included topics like “The Truth about Physical and the Future of Digital Distribution.” Panelists included pros like Peter Wohelski; current label manager for Beatport and former director of A&R for Astralwerks (where he signed acts like the Chemical Brothers) and Steffen Franz; president and founder of Independent Distribution Collective and Positive Sound Massive Recordings in San Francisco. Other speakers included Neil Schield; consultant for Mobile Distribution, Jeff Straw; licensing director for INgrooves, Pierce Stacy; attorney for IODA and Kurt Kunselman; founder and president of Chameleon Music/IDCDigital. The professional backgrounds for this panel were both highly accredited and diverse which enabled an energetic discussion on a topic that speaks to artists of all levels: The current state of sales for both physical product and digital downloads as well as the future for both.

The diversity of panels included ones on the Politics of San Francisco Nightlife and creating your own production company, which featured panelist like Jason Sperling of Skills and Lee Smith, Chairman of Live Nation. Others included The Future of DJ’ing with Ean Golden, which featured a cameo appearance by the president of Vestax, Toshi Nakama. The Artists & Technology panel was moderated by Pyramind CEO Gregory J. Gordon and featured an all-star line up including the CEO of Ableton, Gerhard Behles, as well as Kid Beyond and Grammy nominated producer Carmen Rizzo. Not to be outdone, Paul Lipson, President of The Game Audio Network Guild moderated a power house panel on Game Audio which included Bay Area Game audio veterans: Chuck Doud (Senior Music Director Sony Computer Entertainment America), Emily Ridgway (Senior Sound Manager, Double Fine), Matt Tullis (Senior Manager of Games, Dolby), and Jesse Harlin (Staff Composer/Music Supervisor, LucasArts).

As if the power house panels weren’t enough, both days also featured a full array of Studio Tips & Tricks presentations lead by Pyramind’s talented team of instructors and producers all held in Pyramind’s beautiful new HD surround sound control room in their new 832 Folsom St. facilities. Steve Heithecker wowed a packed room by showing off surround mix techniques using Reason 4.0 and Protools. Dave Earl, a.k.a. SF Logic Ninja, showed how to use side-chaining and synths' With Apple's Logic Pro and started with vocoding, then went on to using side-chaining in ultrabeat, and demonstrated techniques in Logic involving routing audio from a channel strip in logic to the EVOC20, Ultrabeat, and ES2!

Each day also included music performances by local electronic and Hip Hop artists. Shaunna Hall, the founding guitarist of 4 Non Blondes who is also currently touring with George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, treated those not glued to their seats during the panels to a rare SF performance. Other performers included IDC artists Goddess Alchemy, Marrow and seminal Bay Area Hip Hop artist Apostle featuring DJ Quest.

The first days event culminated with a networking mixer sponsored by Heineken which flowed right into TestPress: Featuring a panel that offers indie artists an opportunity to get their music heard and critiqued in an open forum of music industry professionals. The artists are asked to present their best work and the music is played for a panel that offers their feedback. When do artists get an opportunity such as this one? This event was formulated in 2005 by the electronic and dance music committee for the San Francisco Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The music is not limited to dance however; there were multiple reggae and trip hop tracks offered up for constructive criticism as well.

Get Connected Summit also included many perks for attendees such as free admission and complimentary drinks at participating clubs for LoveFest, and a 20 song download card from Itunes. Seagate raffled off twenty-five of their brand new portable firewire and USB 2 hard drives and Gibson Guitars raffled off two Epiphone guitars. IK Multimedia sponsored the Testpress event by donating numerous software packages and T-Shirts given to all the participants and panelists.

“By the end of the two day event I was completely exhausted,” says founder Greg Gordon, “but we were very pleased with the turn out and the overwhelming support of the community who lent their credibility and time to help make it happen. We learned so much producing this and we all really look forward to doing it again next year!”

Sponsors
	The Game Audio Network (G.A.N.G.) is a global non-profit organization established to advance the interactive audio industry by providing information, resources, guidance and policy to its members and the game industry at large. G.A.N.G. empowers all game development communities by establishing resources, publicity, and recognition for game business and development professionals. G.A.N.G. also supports career development for students and aspiring game audio professionals, and works through sponsorship and partnership frameworks to empower and unite like-minded organizations.
	Dolby Laboratories is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby innovations enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go.
	In Ticketing is a premiere technology company providing ticketing and e-commerce solutions for bands, venues and festivals worldwide since 1999. In Ticketing services make it easier, quicker and cheaper to buy tickets and get into events, enhancing both the client and consumer experience, and all this in a way that is good for the planet. In Ticketing is an official green business, adopting such sustainable practices as using soy ink with hemp/flax ticket stock, tree-free envelopes, bio-diesel and hybrid event vehicles, and the first ticketing agency to develop tree planting and carbon offset initiatives. In Ticketing plants a tree for every ticket bought through www.inticketing.com.
	The Renoir Hotel is a friendly boutique hotel located in the lively heart of downtown San Francisco. The ornate interior of our historical landmark building, built in 1909, was renovated to restore its European turn-of-the-century charm. Union Square and the Cable Car turnaround are only a few steps away.
	"IDC is a physical and digital distribution company based in San Francisco, which represents over 200 titles in almost 400 stores across the USA. We also specialize in marketing and promotion and music licensing for “Indie” artists."
Media Sponsors
	Electronic Musician is the #1 magazine in the U.S. for musicians who record and produce music in a home or personal studio environment. EM editorial focuses on music-production technology and techniques for musicians. It includes coverage of recording and live-performance equipment, electronic musical instruments, and music production hardware and software.
	Remix educates DJs, engineers, producers, and performers of electronic music about the latest applications and new products specific to the electronic and urban music markets. Remix is the premier consumer magazine in North America dedicated 100 percent to the tools, techniques, and production syles of electronic and urban artists. Remix is the ultimate magazine devoted to keeping readers up-to-date on producing groundbreaking music: everything from house to hip-hop, trance to techno, experimental to electronica, drum 'n' bass to downtempo and all other underground sounds that evade categorization.
	Music Connection is now a NATIONAL publication, found monthly in every major bookseller in America. And check out our brand-new digital magazine (including video and audio content) at www.musicconnection.com. Are you receiving Music Connection's Weekly Bulletin? Emailed to over 68,000 opt-in music makers every Thursday, it's packed with current "news you can use" and select opportunities for musicians as they hit our press room. Email webmaster@musicconnection.com to get on the list.
	The Live To Play (L2P) Network is an essential resource for aspiring and established singers, musicians and songwriters. Topics include production, technology, performance and business. Singer & Musician magazine provides singers, songwriters, musicians and bands with practical, down-to-earth information they can use in the real world of the music business.
Partners
	San Francisco Lovefest (www.sflovefest.org) San Francisco Lovefest, now in its 5th year, has become the largest electronic music festival in the U.S., and one of the most highly regarded music festivals in the world hosting over 25 floats, 300 DJs and 100,000 people.
	Pyramind (www.pyramind.com) Pyramind is a leading-edge production and training facility located in the heart of San Francisco's creative development community. Pyramind provides sound development services and music production for the biggest names in screen and interactive entertainment. Its integrated approach to production and training provide education and expertise in a working studio environment. Pyramind works with clients and students alike to realize their professional and creative goals by providing production services and a proven audio training curriculum that reflects evolving industry needs.
	San Francisco Entertainment Commission (http://tinyurl.com/4fo25a) A seven member Commission established in 2003, the Entertainment Commission has the powers and duties to accept, review and conduct hearings for entertainment-related permit applications. Additionally, the Entertainment Commission plans and coordinates the provision of San Francisco services for major events for which there is no recognized organizer, promoter, or sponsor.