A2IM helps independent music labels improve business by promoting access and parity through advocacy, education, and connection-building with one another and affiliated businesses. The independent music sector has introduced, developed, and supported nearly every new musical form which has impacted our society since the beginning of the recording industry. In the present day – perhaps more than ever – the independents are vital to the continued advancement of cultural diversity and innovation in music. A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that, according to Billboard Magazine, comprises over 35.1% of the music industry’s market share in the United States. The organization represents the independents’ interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is a non-profit corporation operated by and for the benefit of its members.

“Improving lives by connecting fans, artists and the industry.” That’s the overriding mission of the Academy of Country Music—whether through the annual ACM Awards show or the organization’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives. In the 50-plus years since its inception, the Academy has grown from a regional Southern California trade organization to a national powerhouse dedicated to a higher purpose. Please see our website https://www.acmcountry.com/about-us for more about the Academy of Country Music.

AppleOne Employment Services is a full-service employment company. Founded in 1964, we are now celebrating over five decades of the AppleOne experience. Helping Career Seekers AppleOne Employment Services is unique in that we view the career seeker as a client. Other employment agencies see you as a commodity to be sold, and it shows in the way they treat you. Our services are always free to our associates, and we encourage you to take full advantage of them. We believe strongly that if we can continually deliver the results you need, then we will be able to earn your loyalty as a client for life. That means that the AppleOne experience has been specifically designed to serve as a total employment resource to you no matter where you are in your career. Finding Great Employees For over 50 years, we have been committed to supporting “client for life” relationships with a full range of staffing services that help companies achieve long-term goals.

Bach to Rock is the music school for students of all ages. B2R’s unique method is based on the knowledge that students learn best when they join together to play the music they like the most. That’s why we use special arrangements of the music of our time and combine individual lessons with band instruction. Weekly “jam sessions” lead to battles of the bands and recording sessions in B2R Studios, our own professional recording facilities. B2R also holds regularly scheduled public concerts that encourage students to become seasoned performers. These creative group activities foster teamwork, build self-esteem, and motivate students to perfect their musicianship through independent practice while having fun!

Ranked No. 6 in the Regional Universities South category and named as a “Most Innovative” university by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of more than 7,700 students who come from every state and more than 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 90 areas of undergraduate study, 19 master’s programs, and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.

Led by founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta, the Big Machine Label Group encompasses Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records, Big Machine Records/John Varvatos Records, and publishing company Big Machine Music, as well as its own digital radio station, Big Machine Radio. BMLG artists include superstars Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Dunn, Cheap Trick, and Sugarland; chart-topping acts Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Brett Young, Aaron Lewis, Midland, Carly Pearce; "The Voice" winner Danielle Bradbery and 2015 "American Idol" winner Trent Harmon. BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Teen Choice, MTV, Billboard, People's Choice, and BRIT Awards. Big Machine is the first-ever American label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights for its artists and is an industry leader in fighting for artist, songwriter, publisher, and record company rights.

Nashville's premier recording studio with nine world-class rooms and a dazzling collection of gear.

CDM Smith provides lasting and integrated solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities to public and private clients worldwide. As a full-service engineering and construction firm, we deliver exceptional client service, quality results, and enduring value across the entire project life cycle. Visit https://www.cdmsmith.com to discover more.

Concord is the independent, worldwide leader in the development, management, and acquisition of sound recordings, music publishing, theatrical performance rights, and narrative content. Headquartered in Nashville with additional offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Berlin, Melbourne, and Miami, Concord also has staff in Auckland, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto. The company’s catalog consists of more than 1.2 million songs, composed works, plays, musicals, and active recordings which are licensed in virtually every country and territory worldwide.

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association (CMA) is the premier membership trade association of the country music industry. Representing professionals making a living in country music globally, the organization serves as a critical resource of support and information, honors excellence in the genre, and provides a forum for industry leadership. CMA is dedicated to expanding country music around the world through a number of core programs and initiatives including the organization's three annual television properties—the CMA Awards, "CMA Fest," and "CMA Country Christmas," all of which air on ABC. The organization's philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, works tirelessly to provide equitable access to music education in order to create impactful change for students and teachers across the United States. Visit cmamember.com to learn more about becoming a member. Visit cmaworld.com for more info about the association.

Independent full-service production company, Evolve Studios produces a diverse range of content from original feature films, episodic series, documentaries, branded and commercial content, promos, music videos, digital films, and immersive VR content. Evolve’s work has been recognized with numerous awards including 6 National Television Emmy Awards, 48 Emmy nominations, and many other top industry accolades. Empowered by incredible young talent, team culture, and a blue-collar creative work ethic, Evolve has built a multifaceted company that develops, produces, and provides production services in three industry verticals all from the content frontier in Nashville, Tennessee. View our content portfolio and learn more about us at: http://evolve.studio

FedEx connects people and possibilities through our worldwide portfolio of shipping, transportation, e-commerce, and business services. We offer integrated business applications through our collaboratively managed operating companies — collectively delivering extraordinary service to our customers — using the expertise and reliability represented by the FedEx brand. Our people are the foundation of our success, and FedEx has consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers. We inspire our global workforce of more than 575,000 employees to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. We owe our success as an industry leader to the more than 500,000 global team members who deliver exceptional customer service experiences day-in and day-out.