2024 Midwinter Managers Meeting, Detroit
More About MidwinterJanuary 28-29, 2024
Open to League member Executive Directors and Youth Orchestra Administrators.
The Midwinter Managers Meeting, an intensive two-day event designed for executive directors and youth orchestra administrators of League member orchestras, is taking place in Detroit this year! Join us on Sunday-Monday, January 28-29, 2024.
Midwinter provides an opportunity to meet with fellow leaders to share ideas and learn from each other. Participate in a day and half of robust discussions, actionable presentations, and generative thinking tailored to the unique needs of your constituency group.
Preceding Midwinter, come early for additional learning and networking opportunities in Detroit:
- Sphinx’s Annual Convening will be held in Detroit from Wednesday to Saturday, January 24-27, 2024. The convening will commence with the Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions, followed by SphinxConnect, its annual gathering focused on diversity and inclusion in classical music. The event will culminate with the Finals of the National Sphinx Competition for Young Black and Latinx string musicians.
- Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 8:00am-12:00pm, register for Organizational Resiliency in Times of Change, a Midwinter Seminar led by Arts Consulting Group, available to Sphinx registrants for a discounted fee.
If you are planning to attend both SphinxConnect and Midwinter, register for SphinxConnect now to receive the discount code for 10% off your entire Midwinter registration.
General Session: Meaning More to More People
For orchestras to build vibrant and sustainable futures, we must grow our communities of engagement and support. Traditional tools for achieving this include audience development, artistic planning, community engagement, civic engagement, fundraising, and education. At their core, these tools all contribute to the aspirational goal of meaning more to more people and they are most powerful when used in combination.
Ellen Hill Zeringue (Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, The Henry Ford) will lead a discussion with Karisa Antonio (Senior Director of Social Innovation and Learning, Detroit Symphony Orchestra), Randy Wong (President & CEO, Hawaii Youth Symphony), and Trent Rash (Executive Director, The Missouri Symphony) to explore how orchestras can holistically pursue this critical goal.
Constituency Agendas
View your constituency’s agenda:
Meeting Schedule and Related Events
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition (SOPA)
Thursday, January 25, 2024
| Afternoon | Inclusive Stages Coalition meeting |
| 5:00pm-6:00pm | SphinxConnect Networking for Introverts |
| 7:30pm-9:00pm | SphinxConnect Opening Plenary |
Friday, January 26, 2024
| 9:00am-6:20pm | SphinxConnect Sessions |
| 8:00pm-10:00pm | Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert (Orchestra Hall) |
Saturday, January 27, 2024
| 10:00am-5:20pm | SphinxConnect Sessions and Closing Plenary |
| 7:30pm-9:30pm | Sphinx Competition Finals Concert (Orchestra Hall) |
Sunday, January 28, 2024
| 7:30am-8:00am | Midwinter Seminar Registration and Breakfast |
| 8:00am-12:00pm | Midwinter Seminar “Organizational Resiliency in Times of Change” Led by Arts Consulting Group |
| 12:00pm-6:00pm | Midwinter Managers Meeting Registration |
| 1:00pm-3:30pm | Managers Meetings |
| 3:30pm-4:00pm | Break |
| 4:00pm-5:30pm | General Session |
| 5:30pm-6:30pm | Welcome Reception |
| 7:00pm | Group Dinners |
Monday, January 29, 2024
| 7:30am-11:00am | Registration |
| 8:00am-9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am-4:00pm | Managers Meetings (Lunch on your own) |
| 4:00pm-5:00pm | Cross-Constituency Debrief – Officers Only |
Hotel Information and Dining Options
On January 28-29, the Midwinter Seminar and the Midwinter Managers Meeting will take place at:
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown – Fort Shelby
525 West Lafayette Blvd
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Book your hotel room online now to take advantage of the League-negotiated hotel discount of $179/night + tax. Reservations at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown – Fort Shelby must be made by January 4, 2024 to secure the special rate.
Immediately prior to Midwinter, SphinxConnect takes place in Detroit from Thursday-Saturday, January 25-27, 2024 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. The Renaissance Center is 1 mile from the DoubleTree Suites (approximately a 20-25 minute walk). Discounted room rates at the Renaissance Center are available for SphinxConnect attendees until January 8, 2024.
View or download a PDF of restaurant options near the DoubleTree. Please double check restaurant hours, as some restaurants are not open or close early on Sundays.
Who Should Attend?
Executive directors and youth orchestra administrators from member orchestras of all budget sizes.
Cost
Midwinter Managers Meeting
For executive directors and youth orchestra administrators of League member orchestras.
$265 SphinxConnect Attendees
$295 Early Bird (by Dec 19)
$315 Regular
Midwinter Seminar
Open to anyone.
$265 SphinxConnect Attendees
$295 Members
$365 Non-Members
COVID-19/Health Protocols
In coordination with state and local guidelines, the League will not require masking at Midwinter Managers Meeting or the Midwinter Seminar and will not be checking vaccination status before entry. If state and local guidelines change, we reserve the right to change this policy at short notice.
While masking is not required, all League events are mask-friendly and we encourage participants to wear masks as they see fit. In keeping with the League’s event participation agreement, we ask that all participants respect one another’s choices.
Questions?
Please contact Member Services at member@americanorchestras.org.
Generous support for the League’s Midwinter Managers Meeting provided by:
Boomerang Carnets | CIB – Welcome Reception
Sametz Blackstone Associates – General Support
Photo: The League’s Vice President for Advocacy Heather Noonan speaking at the 2023 Midwinter Managers Meeting. Credit: Chris Lee
Related
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Event | Executive Leadership & Management Course | July 22 - 31, 2025
2025 Essentials of Orchestra Management
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