Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) Conference seeks to inspire and empower

By Isabella Escobar

The Five Towns Business Division will host the 2025 MEIS  [Music and Entertainment Industry Studies] Conference on Thursday, November 13th, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM in the Downbeat. This year’s conference goal aims to “inspire and empower students to take ownership of their creative journeys and thrive as both artists and entrepreneurs,” said Program Coordinator for the MEIS Conference, Professor Barry Heyman.

Register here

Students of all majors and alums are welcome to attend with some classes including the event in their curriculum. The conference will take place during scheduled classes, amongst a plethora of well-rounded industry professionals.

“Students will take away new insights into the world of being an artistpreneur and how they can be better equipped to thrive in their career. Business and MEIS students will also gain insights on career opportunities from the many business entrepreneur panelists who will be sharing their experiences and how, in their careers, they support creatives,” said Heyman.

This year’s Keynote speaker, Jalen James Acosta, is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and co-founder of the Music Entrepreneur Conference (MECon), which was produced by the City of New York and united innovators across music, technology, and business. From 12:25 PM to 12:40 PM, Acosta will share his experiences from his creative and entrepreneurial ventures. His boundless career also includes serving as an instructor and contributor to Music Industry Essentials, an online program developed with NYU and Billboard to educate the next generation of creatives. In his role as founder and CEO of World Artist United, Acosta has partnered with athletes, artists, Hollywood icons, and others to elevate their brands’ presence through strategic branding and creative marketing. WAU’s collaborations include big names such as Xbox, Sony Music, and Avici, among many others.

See the full schedule and panelists here.

Additional panels will explore the composition of an independent artists’ team, showcasing how essential team members can play a vital role in today’s creative landscape. Attendees will gain insights from FTC alums who have worked across the music and entertainment industries, learning how early connections and community have shaped their success. Complimentary drinks and food will be provided during the networking sessions.

“I think it is important to know the music business, especially as I’m planning to go into audio production. I do have some work that I’ve produced, so I think that learning the business side of things can help me make some revenue in the future,” said Mass Comm Audio student Kannen Sharma.

Students are encouraged to engage panelists by requesting business cards, connecting via professional platforms such as LinkedIn, and sending follow-up thank-you notes.

Check back at the FTC Record Online for FTC Mass Comm coverage of the MEIS 2025 Conference.