Celebrity Hitz TV has announced the inaugural Minnesota Music Conference, scheduled for April 2027 and designed to become the Midwest’s premier gathering for the music industry.

The conference aims to cultivate and propel local and regional artistes by bridging the gap between academic research, emerging technology and commercial success.

Joseph Marshall Agyepong, Chief Executive Officer of Celebrity Hitz TV, said the initiative seeks to strengthen the region’s music ecosystem while preserving Minnesota’s musical legacy.

“Our ambition is to establish the pre-eminent music industry conference in the Midwest,” Agyepong said. “We are dedicated to education, artist development, innovation and, crucially, to preserving the extraordinary musical legacy of Minnesota, a region that consistently produces some of the world’s most influential music producers.”

He said that although Minnesota has a thriving community of musicians, many independent artistes face challenges in acquiring the knowledge and organisational support needed to build successful international careers.

“We see a wealth of raw talent here in Minnesota,” Agyepong said. “Yet so many artists lack direction regarding the global marketplace. They struggle with effective marketing, understanding how to maximise streaming benefits, and appreciating the foundational support systems, managers, PR teams, the works, that are essential for long-term growth and recognition.”

Agyepong also highlighted the importance of collaboration with established institutions, expressing hope that the conference would partner with the University of Minnesota School of Music.

“While Celebrity Hitz TV is spearheading this initiative,” Agyepong said, “we understand that sustainable growth requires robust partnerships. To that end, we are actively looking forward to, and hoping to partner with, the prestigious University of Minnesota School of Music. Their dedication to musical excellence and research is unparalleled, and their involvement would be instrumental in ensuring our educational content and industry development programmes are of the highest calibre, reflecting the realities and complexities of today’s music landscape.”

He added that Celebrity Hitz TV is eager to engage with leaders at the University, citing a shared commitment to building a sustainable and vibrant music ecosystem in Minnesota.

The multi-day conference is expected to feature more than 175 speakers from the music, media, arts and technology sectors. Organisers also plan more than 50 panel discussions and fireside chats covering the music business, emerging technologies and legal issues affecting the creative industry.

Participants will take part in interactive workshops and networking sessions designed to connect emerging talent with experienced industry professionals.

The programme will cover music production, artist management, public relations, global marketing, streaming optimisation, artificial intelligence in music and music law. Organisers envision the conference as a platform bringing together musicians, DJs, artist managers, music video directors, entertainment lawyers and technology innovators.

Beyond industry education and artist development, the conference will celebrate Minnesota’s musical heritage. Organisers plan special tributes to influential figures, including Prince, whose legacy continues to influence popular music worldwide.

“There is incredibly more we can do,” Agyepong said. “But the first step is always to start. We are dedicated to building our industry, empowering our artists, and establishing a lasting presence in the global market. We are committed to making this happen, and we firmly believe that partnership, especially with institutions like the University of Minnesota, is the key to unlocking Minnesota’s full musical potential.”

Registration details and the confirmed venue for the April 2027 Minnesota Music Conference will be announced by Celebrity Hitz TV later this year.