Ultra acquires Winter Music Conference and announces China expansion

In a wide-ranging press conference this morning, Ultra Worldwide formally announced the acquisition of Winter Music Conference, the historic Miami event that helped put the city on the map as a hub of electronic music and culture.

Addressing the media and press on the Seafair Yacht only feet away from Bayfront Park, Ultra’s Marketing and New Media manager Albert Berdellans announced the acquisition, along with the forthcoming inaugural edition of Ultra China in Beijing.

“Winter Music Conference will represent a place for the music industry to develop professionally,” Berdellas said. “[It] will allow veterans and newcomers to develop, and [is] a significant victory for Miami in general as well.”

Berdellas added that Bill Kelly, WMC’s co-founder, will remain involved with the event in the years ahead.

The acquisition speaks to the cultural powerhouse Ultra has become, having now eclipsed the event that initially inspired its founding.

Winter Music Conference co-founder and director Bill Kelly expressed enthusiasm about the merger and all the possibilities it offers. “The idea that we can expand our programming instead of worrying about venues and worrying about dates [is exciting],” Kelly tells Mixmag. “Ultra kind of weaved in and out of WMC - it was spawned from it, it was separated from it and now it’s back.”