Music may be ubiquitous in The Big Easy, but the city has nevertheless designated October as the New Orleans’ first-ever Music Month. The event will be a 31-day celebration of music, culture, and technology, and include a new music industry conference, NOLA MusiCon, Oct. 24-27.

“Every day of the year, we instinctively know that music underlies our entire cultural landscape in deep and meaningful ways,” said Walt Leger III President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “In designating October formally as ‘Music Month,’ New Orleans & Company, along with many other organizations and long-standing music events, is dedicating resources to market our live music scene and the industry that surrounds it with a focused conference to compliment the many music-centric events that are ongoing during that same month.”

NOLA MusicCon will include informative panels and inspirational interviews featuring music industry professionals and thought leaders, interactive hands-on demonstrations from cutting edge brands, one-on-one mentor sessions, live performances from emerging and established local talent, and unparalleled networking. The goal of the conference is two-fold: to inform/educate artists and others in the music business, as well as highlight New Orleans as a viable place for the industry.

Also part of New Orleans Music Month, and returning for its third year, will be the annual celebration of music venues, NOLAxNOLA, kicking off Music Month with two weeks of music shows and special programming from Sept. 28-Oct. 8. Other marquee events include the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival (Oct. 13-15) and NOLA Funk Fest (Oct. 20-22), which includes the official public announcement of The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a new museum set to be built near the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

For information about events, festivals, and conferences during New Orleans Music Month, visit NewOrleans.com/MusicMonth.