The final round of the Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme, supported by ASM Global, will close in two weeks on Friday 7 February.

The scheme offers 30 young executives a complimentary delegate pass to the 37th edition of ILMC at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel between 25-28 February 2025. Each recipient is twinned with a dedicated industry mentor.

The scheme is supported by ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, whose aim is to protect the environment, invest in people, and strengthen communities around the globe.

For ILMC’s 36th edition in 2024, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall CEO Andrew Bolt was paired with Judith Potts, programming manager at ICC Belfast, and Emily Haigh, Live University Union live music event manager.

“Attending ILMC is something I would never have been able to do without the bursary. Having the opportunity to attend for free meant I could network and learn without any pressure,” Haigh says.

“It definitely felt daunting at first, it is a huge conference with people from all over the world. Having Andrew to talk to meant it didn’t feel so lonely at first and it was a nice friendly face to see each morning before the day started.”

“There is a responsibility for successful companies like ASM Global to ‘give back’ to the industry”

Expanded by ASM for 2025, the bursary scheme now includes six months of additional mentoring consisting of five monthly meetings post-ILMC, and access to the firm’s senior management during that period for any questions.

Bolt says he saw value in sharing his experiences with rising executives like Haigh and Potts, and welcomes the expansion of the scheme.

“It is important to be available to assist anyone who may be looking to develop their career in the industry,” he says. “Of course, experience can only be gained by doing, but the lessons from experience can be passed on and for those who might be interested in some insights I have gained, I’m happy to share.

“I believe there is a responsibility for successful companies like ASM Global to ‘give back’ to the industry. It’s also very smart industry practice, as these programmes provide the company with a chance to see the next generation coming through and be influential in how that may provide positive outcomes for both the company and the mentee.”

Through the scheme, Potts says she gained connections with a network of venues, in addition to personalised career development through small group and individual sessions.

“It’s a lasting connection that will always be available throughout your career”

“For the industry as a whole, mentorship is extremely valuable as industry experts are able to transfer their knowledge to upcoming leaders. These experts will also highlight challenges which the industry has overcome and help to develop skills for dealing with future challenges, helping to shape the industry and how it develops,” she says.

Potts and Haigh both highlighted how facilitated mentorship can help mitigate the gap between rising professionals and seasoned leaders, during ILMC and beyond.

“Sometimes it’s hard to reach out and ask for help or advice,” adds Haigh. “Facilitated mentorship means you have a ready and willing person to give you advice, and the pressure is taken off because you don’t feel like a burden.”

After a fulfilling first edition, Haigh plans to return for her second ILMC this year.

“I have grown so much over the last 12 months, and this is partly because I have a great support network to ask questions to and get a second opinion when I feel uncertain,” she says. “It’s really nice to have someone in your corner, and it’s a lasting connection that will always be available throughout your career.”

“The industry as a whole benefits from the programme”

Bolt echoes the same sentiments, highlighting how the scheme is beneficial for mentors and mentees alike.

“The feedback I have received from past mentees has been very encouraging to me and I’ve felt it has been worth my professional time to support the programme,” he says. “I’ve also noted from their comments that mentees have appreciated the perspectives and thoughts I have shared.

“On that level, I believe the industry as a whole benefits from the programme.”

Active since 2018, the programme — named after the late Alia Dann Swift, ILMC’s long-standing producer — is intended to provide a route for live music’s brightest upcoming executives to join the ILMC network. This year, the 150th mentee will attend the annual conference as part of the scheme.

The scheme is open to international applicants and encourages applicants from a diverse background. Application information can be found here.

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The second round of the Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme, supported by ASM Global, will close for applications on 3 January.

The scheme offers 30 young executives a full complimentary delegate pass to the 37th edition of ILMC at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel between 25 and 28 February 2025.

Each bursary recipient will also be twinned with a dedicated industry mentor and benefit from additional networking opportunities both during and after the conference.

ASM has agreed to extend the scheme in 2025 to include six months of additional mentoring consisting of five monthly meetings post-ILMC, and access to the firm’s senior management during that period for any questions.

The long-running programme is intended to provide a route for live music’s brightest upcoming executives to participate in ILMC for the first time and build their network. This year will see the 150th mentee attend ILMC as part of the long-running scheme.

Places for the 2025 bursary are allocated in three rounds, ending 22 November, 3 January, and 7 February. More information can be found here.

“Nurturing the next generation is essential to keeping our industry alive”

“Nurturing the next generation is essential to keeping our industry alive,” says Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe. “Whether it’s emerging creatives, talented artists, or future executives and agents, there’s no shortage of remarkable talent ready to make their mark. At ASM Global, through ASM Global Acts, we’re proud to create meaningful opportunities that help young professionals take their first steps in the live entertainment business.

“Our partnership with ILMC’s Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme is a key part of this mission. With just 30 bursary places up for grabs and applications still open, now is the time to apply. We look forward to meeting the 30 bursary recipients next February at ILMC and celebrating their role in shaping the future of our industry.”

Founded in 2018, the bursary scheme is named after the late Alia Dann Swift, ILMC’s long-standing producer, who was instrumental in both bringing talent into the industry and supporting and encouraging new ILMC members.

Meanwhile, the countdown is on to the ILMC, which also comprises Greener Events and Innovations (GEI), Touring Entertainment LIVE and Futures Forum.

Around 2,500 live music executives are expected to attend the four-day conference, which also includes The Arthur Awards and Central London showcase event, Soho Calling.

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The International Live Music Conference (ILMC) has opened the first round of applications for the Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme, supported by ASM Global.

The scheme offers 30 young executives a full complimentary delegate pass to the 37th edition of ILMC at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel between 25 and 28 February 2025.

Each bursary recipient will also be twinned with a dedicated industry mentor and benefit from additional networking opportunities both during and after the conference.

The scheme is intended to provide a route for live music’s brightest upcoming executives to participate in ILMC for the first time and build their network.

“At ASM Global we are deeply committed to offering meaningful opportunities to the next generation”

“Fostering the next generation is what keeps our industry thriving. From emerging creatives and artists to budding execs and agents, there is a wealth of incredible talent out there,” says Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe.

“At ASM Global, and through ASM Global Acts, we are deeply committed to offering meaningful opportunities to the next generation as they embark on their journey in live entertainment – and our ongoing partnership with ILMC’s Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme enables us to do just that. Initiatives like this are vital to the industry ecosystem, powered by the brilliant young professionals who are brimming with fresh ideas and driven by passion, innovation and creativity. We’re very excited to meet the 30 bursary recipients next February at ILMC.”

Places for the 2025 bursary will be allocated in three rounds (ending 22nd November, 3rd January, and 7th February). More information can be found here.

Founded in 2018, the bursary scheme is named after the late Alia Dann Swift, ILMC’s long-standing producer, who was instrumental in both bringing talent into the industry and supporting and encouraging new ILMC members.

Meanwhile, the countdown is on to the 37th International Live Music Conference (ILMC), which also comprises Greener Events and Innovations (GEI), Touring Entertainment LIVE and Futures Forum.

Around 2,500 live music executives are expected to attend the four-day conference, which also includes The Arthur Awards and Central London showcase event, Soho Calling.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

ASM Global and the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) have announced that their partnership to dramatically expand the conference’s Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme will continue into 2023.

The link-up, which promotes and encourages the next generation of young executive talent, is supported by ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, which launched in October 2021.

The Bursary scheme will see 30 young executives given a place at next year’s ILMC, which takes place in London from 1-3 March and welcomes 2,000 leading professionals across the week. Through the Bursary scheme, the selected young executives will also have access to invitation-only networking events during ILMC, and a dedicated industry mentor via the ASM Global family; a chance to share knowledge, ideas, and to build new contacts within the industry.

“At ASM Global we are committed to investing in people and strengthening communities all over the world,” says Chris Bray, EVP, Europe at ASM Global. “Through the company’s ASM Global Acts platform, we’re able to take action and create real opportunity for the next generation of industry leaders, so we are delighted to continue our partnership with ILMC on the Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme and look forward to meeting with the chosen delegates at next year’s event.”

Founded in 2018, the scheme is named after the late Alia Dann Swift, ILMC’s longstanding producer who was instrumental in both bringing talent into the industry and supporting and encouraging new ILMC members.

“The scheme is a firm step towards supporting the next generation of business leaders across the live sector”

“We’re thrilled to welcome ASM back for the second year as supporters of ILMC’s bursary scheme,” adds ILMC head Greg Parmley. “Just how the business can encourage and foster a new and diverse range of executive talent is a primary focus for all right now, and the scheme is a firm step towards supporting the next generation of business leaders across the live sector.”

To apply, applicants should already be working in the live music business and not have previously attended an ILMC. Full details of the bursary scheme and an application form are available here. The first 10 places on the scheme are now open to applicants internationally, with further places to be released closer to the event.

ASM Global is the company responsible for management and operations at major venues including AO Arena (Manchester), OVO Arena Wembley, Avicii Arena (Stockholm), Tele2 Arena (Stockholm), P&J Live (Aberdeen), first direct Arena (Leeds).

Click here for more information on the ILMC Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme.

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