News
9th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference Celebrates Growth, Development and Unity!
Memphis, TN (December 12, 2011)–The Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference (SEAs) is one of the most celebrated events of the year. Recognizing industry heavyweights in the South, in its ninth year, the SEAs are gearing up for an event that will be more elaborate than any other in Conference history. The 9th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference will be hosted in Memphis, Tennessee at the Memphis Cook Convention Center and Cannon Center from March 29 to April 2, 2012.
This year by placing heavy emphasis on disc jockey’s (DJs), the SEAs will pay homage to the founding concept of the event, which was initially created as an outlet to recognize the contribution and influence of those that mastered the craft in the South. The SEAs understand the vital role DJs play in the industry, as an essential ingredient in the foundation, development and distribution to create awareness of the music we enjoy today.
In addition to unlimited networking opportunities, the weekend of events will include informational panels, product demonstrations, artist showcases, the SEA Indie Artist Showcase & Record Pool meeting as well as “Best of Both Worlds” Fashion Show, culminating to the award presentation. The SEA Award ceremony will be co-hosted by the Core DJs Big Sue, assistant program director of hip-hop/R&B station 97.1 Memphis, and Atlanta based entrepreneur and celebrity event promoter, Solo aka Da Come Up Kidd.
With a strategic model for continuous improvement, the SEAs have streamlined their official ballot by reducing the number of categories from more than 70 to 30 categories, allowing the best in Radio, Media, Artist/Industry, Service/Lifestyle and DJs to be recognized by their peers. The reduction in categories will allow all of the Awards to be presented on the same day, which was not feasible in the past. Every year enhancements are made to the event, strengthening the platform that has affected more than 15,000 careers in the southern region and beyond.
The 9th Annual SEAs promise to be one of the most memorable gatherings of industry professionals in recent years. The four-day conference and awards show will welcome more than 1,500 people to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees.
Tickets to the awards ceremony, conference registration, showcase slots, vendor booths and weekend VIP passes are available to purchase at southernentawards.eventbrite.com; prices range from $30 to $525.
For more information about the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference please visit www.southernentawards.com. For media opportunities please contact The MEPR Agency, info@mepragency.com or 615.592.6377.
About the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference
The SEA’s is a four day conference and awards show that gathers music professionals, artists, djs, fans, media outlets and more to network, build relationships and celebrate the culture of ‘Southern Entertainment’. Held annually, the SEA’s will return to Memphis, TN and will house more than 1,500 people that will experience panel discussions, artist showcases, networking opportunities, product demonstrations and of course, the awards ceremony. The SEA’s has impacted more than 15,000 careers throughout the Southeast Region including Big K.R.I.T., Nicki Minaj, Drumma Boy, Gucci Mane, B.O.B, Algebra Blessett and Kia Shine, to name just a few. More information is available at www.SouthernEntAwards.com or by emailing info@mepragency.com.
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Media credentials are available to legitimate working press who will be covering the 9th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference events. To apply for media credentials, please review the media policy and complete this form, by Wednesday February 1, 2012.
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The Southern Entertainment Awards Announces Its Return to Memphis and 2011 Awards Ballot
Voting will take place until December 15th and the annual Awards Show & Conference will take place and kicks off March 3-6, 2010
Nashville, TN (September 10, 2010)—During a recent press conference the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference announced their return to Memphis, along with the 2011 nominee ballot. The eighth annual event will take place March 3-6, 2011 and will return to the Cannon Center for the awards ceremony, and a later announcement will reveal the location for the conference.
“Last year, Memphis proved to be a very positive move for us,” shares Co-founder Janiro Hawkins II. “The entertainment community is large and their positive feedback encouraged our return this year.”
Over the past seven years the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference has been a platform for talent in the South to breed and grow within the industry. The annual celebration is an opportunity for guests to engage and interact with some of the most innovative and forward moving people, technologies, and products in the country. Coming from as far as the UK, the SEAs have proven to be much more than a Southern event but rather an event that embraces the culture of the South’s entertainment industry.
The announcement, made during MemphisRap.com’s Hip Hop Weekend, also revealed the nominee ballot for the 2011 Southern Entertainment Awards. The official ballot consists of more than 70 categories lined with hundreds of names that were narrowed down from thousands of nominations. The ballot is based on the top ten nominees (in a category) by the number of nominations received during the SEA nomination period. The Southern Entertainment Awards are the “people’s” awards and are based on the amount of votes one receives from their peers. Voting will continue until January 15, 2011.
Each year the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference introduces the latest trends and opportunities to attendees. Coordinators revealed their plans to include the producer’s event, Soundtrack Beat Battle, a Celebrity Gifting Lounge, and the Video-DJ session, to name a few.
The voting ballot can be found at www.SouthernEntAwards.com under the ballot tab. For a full list of nominees click here.
For more information about voting, sponsorship, or performance opportunities please contact Janiro Hawkins, janiro@southernentawards.com. For media credentials contact The MEPR Agency, info@mepragency.com or by visiting the Media Policy.
About the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference
The Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference a four day conference and awards show that gathers music professionals, artists, djs, fans, media outlets and more to network, build relationships and celebrate the culture of ‘Southern Entertainment’. Held annually, the SEAs will return to Memphis, TN March 3-6, 2011 and will house more than 1,500 people that will experience panel discussions, artist showcases, networking opportunities, product demonstrations and of course, the awards ceremony. The SEA’s has impacted more than 5,000 careers throughout the Southeast Region including Nicki Minaj, Drumma Boy, Gucci Mane, B.O.B, Algebra Blessett and Kia Shine, to name just a few. More information is available at www.SouthernEntAwards.com or by emailing info@mepragency.com.
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Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference Announces 2011 Ballot and Event Details in Memphis, TN September 3
The SEA team will announce the ballot during Hip Hop Weekend sponsored by MemphisRap.com
Nashville, TN—The Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference co-founder, Janiro Hawkins, will announce the 2011 ballot and conference schedule at a press conference to be held Friday September 3rd from 1-2pm CST at the Cook Convention Center. The announcement will share the organization’s plans to return to Memphis March 3-6, 2011, as well as the voting process that will begin Monday September 6.
After the success of the 2010 festivities, event coordinators are confident about their return to Memphis. With its strong music background and support of local venues, artists, media, and the Arts Commission, the SEAs are anticipating their highest participation in their eight year run.
“Every year we work to ensure our attendees have the most powerful experience and we believe by kicking it off through the Hip Hop Weekend we are starting on the right foot,” says Hawkins. “We have some exciting updates from last years event that we know our guests will enjoy.”
The announcement will be made during MemphisRap.com’s Hip Hop Weekend & Expo and will be the official kick-off for the SEA voting season, which lasts until December 15, 2010. During this weekend, participants will also enjoy a celebrity basketball game, industry panels, and networking.
For more information on the Memphis Hip Hop Weekend & Expo please visit www.memphisrap.com/hiphopweekend. To attend the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference please contact 615.592.6377 or info@mepragency.com.
Media attendance is requested. The press conference will also be tweeted via #2011SEA and on UStream.com/SouthernEntAwards.
About the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference
The SEA’s is a four day conference and awards show that gathers music professionals, artists, djs, fans, media outlets and more to network, build relationships and celebrate the culture of ‘Southern Entertainment’. Held annually, the SEA’s will return to Memphis, TN March 3-6, 2011 and will house more than 1,500 people that will experience panel discussions, artist showcases, networking opportunities, product demonstrations and of course, the awards ceremony. The SEA’s has impacted more than 5,000 careers throughout the Southeast Region including Nicki Minaj, Drumma Boy, Gucci Mane, B.O.B, Algebra Blessett and Kia Shine, to name just a few. More information is available at www.SouthernEntAwards.com or by emailing info@mepragency.com.
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THE SOUTHERN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS & CONFERENCE TAKES OVER MEMPHIS WITH LARGEST EVENT OF THE WEEKEND
SEAs made an impact on the city of Memphis as the debuted for the 7th Annual gathering for the conference and awards presentation
MEMPHIS, TN (March 8, 2010)— The biggest weekend in independent music in the South has come to a successful close with more than 80 awards given, stellar performances, showcases, a 2-day conference, memorial tribute, and charity fashion show. The 7th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards and Conference took place March 4-7 as it made its debut in Memphis, TN. The Conference took place in the Cook Convention Center and the weekend concluded with the awards show in the Cannon Center.
Among those to welcome the SEAs was Mayor A.C. Wharton, Jr. who writes, “I am proud to host in our city such an incredible organization that helps embrace southern culture and immense talent.” Wharton goes on to say, “It is commendable that you celebrate gifted artists and provide them with the motivation and tools to help them continue pursuing their passion. This is truly inspiring.”
Prior to the award ceremony, emerging talent and veteran industry executives graced the Cook Convention Center hallways making business deals, listening to industry panels, 1-on-1 legal advice, and showcasing their talent during listening parties. The panels included “How to shine among the stars”, “Indie/Major Success: How to take it to the next level”, “How to make a beat into a classic”, “The power of the pen: Legal Do’s & “Don’ts”, “Respect the GRIND: We break records! We break artists”, and “The need for speed: From local to global” discussing the digital frontier.
The SEAs was a weekend of “firsts” as this year participants and the Memphis community came together for a charity fashion show benefiting L.E.A.D (Life Enrichment and Development). The models “ripped” the runway, while performers showcased their talent.
Also, during the weekend the SEAs announced its partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Full Throttle. BCBST presented its pilot program to attendees in an effort to share plans and educational tools that would make their insurance and healthcare decisions more fluid. “So often artists go on the road with a reactive “attitude”, regarding their health; however our new partnership will encourage our attendees to be proactive,” shares Janiro Hawkins II, co-founder and event coordinator. BCBST representatives were on-site to answer questions and also gain a consensus of interest in a special program geared towards artists. This program will also be a strong determinate in Blue Cross’ decision to expand to other states.
Full Throttle, a software and music store application for Android phones, also launched this weekend and shared the first opportunity for artists to set up accounts (using Full Throttle) for their music to be downloaded through a mobile device. More than 12 countries have already been impacted by Kieran Cox’s, the Los Angeles-based consultant embedded systems engineer and founder of Full Throttle, latest development. Full Throttle will soon expand to other mobile devices.
As the conference wrapped, gears shifted to the coveted awards show. Minutes leading up to the show were full of excitement as the Cannon Center lobby was packed for the red carpet. Media outlets from the Commercial Appeal, Action News Channel 5, Memphisrap.com, the Urban Journal, and others, were there to capture photos and conduct interviews. The lobby was all a-buzz as Kia Shine, super-producer Drumma Boy, Africa native Christelle, Skai, Rocko and more walked the carpet and interacted with fans, supporters, and peers.
The awards show, hosted by Solo da Come Upp Kidd, took place in the 2,000-seater Cannon Center. Memphis native and nationally known producer and rapper, Drumma Boy and the Drum Squad gave an explosive opening performance of “Welcome to My City”. The stage was also shared with performances by Chicago’s, AK (of Do or Die), Jake the Flake, Kia Shine, and 3MK, to name a few. The remaining awards were announced {awards were also given on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights} in the categories of Mixtape of the Year, Mixtape DJ of the Year, Next Top Model, Impact Model of the Year, Model of the Year, #1 Female Personality of the Year, #1 Male Personality of the Year, Female DJ of the Year, #1 DJ in the South, Indie Group of the Year, Indie Album of the Year, Indie Artist of the Year, Indie Producer of the Year, and Song of the Year. Special recognition was given in memoriam of Victoria Smith, founder of Tears for Hope Foundation, and rapper Lil Buna, who both made a large impact on the Southern Entertainment Awards and was acknowledged for their contribution to entertainment. Lastly, the Impact Award, was given to DJ Bryant D, The Bigg DM, DJ Boogaloo, DJ Judge Mental, and DJ Howard Q in an effort to acknowledge the work of the DJ and their impact on music.
Co-founder Janiro Hawkins II concludes another successful year with his final thoughts, “this weekend would have not been successful without the help and support from Memphis; from the media, to the Arts Commission, the Mayor, the Convention Bureau, and all the businesses along Main Street to Beale Street. We are very pleased with the outcome and we will be back next year. We hope that Memphis continues to support us as we prepare for the 8th installment of the Southern Entertainment Awards and Conference.”
For a complete recap of all 7th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards winners visit www.southernentawards.com/ballot/previous-winners.html.
For more information about the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference please visit www.southernentawards.com. For media opportunities please contact The MEPR Agency, info@mepragency.com or 615.592.6377.
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The Countdown Begins for the 7th Annual Southern
Entertainment Awards and Conference
The Annual Awards Show and Conference kicks off March 4-7, 2010
NASHVILLE, TN (January 8, 2010) — The countdown begins for the Southern Entertainment Awards and Conference which will celebrate its seventh year in Memphis, TN on March 4-7, 2010. The conference and awards will be held downtown at the Cook Convention Center and Canon Center (respectively).
“Memphis is known for the birth of blues and Rock & Roll which are ancestors to the rap movement and we are excited to make our mark on history with our seventh anniversary of the Southern Entertainment Awards,” said Co-founder and Event Coordinator, Janiro Hawkins II.
On March 5th and 6th, emerging talent and veteran industry executives will convene to the Cook Convention Center hallways making business deals, listening to industry panels, and showcasing their talent during invite-only listening parties.
Panel Schedule:
Friday March 5th
12:00-1:30pm (video)-Artist Image
2:00-3:30pm – Marketing & Promotion
4:00-5:30pm – Indie vs. Major
Saturday March 6th
11:00-12:30pm –Production (make a beat a classic)
1:00-2:30pm –The DJ Movement
3:00-4:30pm –Digital Music
The coveted award show will be held March 7th, hosted by Solo da Come Upp Kidd, and will present over 50 awards to nominees in the categories of DJ’s, promoters, artists, models, publicists, media outlets, adult entertainment, and visual artists. Performances will be given by Finesse da Boss, Christelle, Malaki, Diablo, Drumma Boy & Drum Squad, Sparkdawg, Skai, and Big K.R.I.T. The SEA’s will present Impact Awards to those who have served as an impact to the music industry and the culture of the independent music scene. Special tributes will also be made in honor of Lil Buna and Victoria Smith.
The host hotel is the Memphis Marriott Downtown (ask for the SEA room block), 250 N. Main St., Memphis, Tenn. 38103, and the panels will be hosted in the adjoining Cook Convention Center. Tickets for the 7th Annual Awards Show are available at www.ticketmaster.com for $30.
For more information about sponsorships, performance opportunities, hosting a listening party, or hosting a SEA after party please contact Janiro Hawkins II, infoo@southernentawards.com
For media sponsorship, interview opportunities, or media credentials please contact MEPR Agency, info@mepragency.com
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The Southern Entertainment Awards Celebrates 7 Years In Memphis, TN
The annual Awards Show & Conference kicks off March 4-7, 2010
Nashville, TN—The Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference celebrates its 7th year in Memphis, TN, March 4-7th, 2010 at the Cook Convention Center in the heart of downtown Memphis.
“Memphis has long been noted as the birthplace to blues and rock & roll which are ancestors to the rap movement and we are excited to make history with our seventh anniversary in such a historic city,” shares Co-founder and Event Coordinator, Janiro Hawkins II.
For six years the SEA’s have served as a platform for independent talent, throughout the Southeast, to be celebrated amongst their peers. The Conference has provided a creative and educational outlet for participants with panels, showcases, mingling sessions and an awards presentation.
Each year the public is encouraged to nominate industry movers and shakers in categories for DJ’s, promoters, artists, models, publicists, media outlets, adult entertainment, and visual artists. At this time nominees are campaigning to win the coveted Southern Entertainment Award and voting ballot will be open until December 15th. More than 50 awards will be given out on March 7.
Days prior to the awards, March 4-6th, emerging talent and veteran industry executives will grace the Cook Convention Center hallways making business deals, listening to industry panels, and showcasing their talent during invite-only listening parties. The evenings will also host 10-pin Hustlin’ @ Primetime Sports Bar, and Sushi, Sake’ & Seduction @ Blue Fin.
Impacting more than 5,000 careers, the SEA’s has no intention of slowing down its efforts and will continue creating an avenue for talent within the Southeast region (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas).
The host hotel is the Memphis Marriott Downtown, 250 N. Main St – Memphis, TN 38103, and the panels will be hosted in the adjoining Cook Convention Center.
Tickets for the 7th Annual Awards Show will be held at the Canon Center, 255 N. Main St – Memphis, TN 38103, are on sale now and available through www.ticketmaster.com for $30.
For more information about sponsorship, performance opportunities, hosting a listening party, or hosting a SEA after-party please contact Janiro Hawkins, info@southernentawards.com.
For media inquiries regarding the Southern Entertainment Awards & Conference please contact MEPR Agency, info@mepragency.com.
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