The International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) annual World of Bluegrass events, set for September 29-October 5 at the Nashville Convention Center and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, are aptly named. This is the “must attend” week for everyone interested in what’s new in the whole, wide bluegrass world and committed to the future success of the industry.

The week kicks off for industry professionals at the IBMA Business Conference sponsored by Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and D’Addario Strings. With more than 2,000 key music and entertainment leaders in one place from around the globe, this week is about building relationships with event producers, television & radio broadcasters, retailers, record labels, agents, managers, artists, songwriters, journalists, educators, association leaders, suppliers, producers & engineers, publicists, internet consultants & designers, historians, academic leaders and also consumers. It’s a week for showcasing talent, as well as new ideas, new songs, new events, projects and merchandise.

This year’s keynote speaker, scheduled to address convention attendees on Monday night, Sept. 29, is Roger Brown, president of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Former Berklee students, graduates and faculty read like a Who’s Who in the music industry, including Chris Pandolfi, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Mark Schatz, Casey Driessen, Scott Rouse, Rushad Eggleston, Evan Price, Nate Leath, Matt Glaser, Mark Simos, David Hollander, John McGann, August Watters and more. Since Brown became president, Berklee has added music performance majors in mandolin and banjo, making it possible for students to earn a degree with a focus on bluegrass, along with jazz and other types of popular music.