Dear Diary 😊
A couple of friends asked me recently if I was going to the Guild of Music Supervisors Conference this Saturday (August 15, 2026) here in Los Angeles at West Los Angeles College (Culver City to be exact). And I realized I hadn’t really thought about it or decided whether I wanted to go.
I’m a Guild member and do my best to attend their events. I’m always interested in what’s happening in our business and support their endeavors.
But I still had that moment of: Should I go? So I started thinking about it and weighing my options. Honestly, I think most folks have some version of that conversation in their heads when deciding whether to go to an event.
And somewhere in that very ordinary decision, I realized I’ve become much more intentional about the events I attend than I used to be.
So that’s what got me thinking: Should I Go to This Event? Or Should I Just Stay Home? How should I spend my time?
The Reason You Show Up Changes
When I was younger in the business, I went to almost everything. Concert? Conference? Mixer? Movie? Party? Dinner and drinks afterward? Apparently I didn’t need to sleep.
And honestly, some of the relationships I made during those years became friendships and professional relationships that have lasted decades.
But at some point, the reason you show up starts to change. Because going to an industry event isn’t just about putting something on your calendar anymore. There are a few factors.
It takes time and energy. Sometimes money. And the worst one of all? Driving across Los Angeles—which, depending on traffic and which direction you’re going, can occasionally feel like its own expedition. It’s hell on wheels at times and IYKYK. (Wink wink to anyone who lives in LA!)
Plus, if you’re already juggling work deadlines, projects, clients, family, kids, dogs, laundry, going to the gym, and whatever else life has decided to throw at you that week, a full Saturday is a real commitment.
So How Do I Decide?
Years ago, a friend of mine who had been promoted to a senior position at a major record label asked me, “Do I still need to go to this event?” He was speaking specifically about a music convention and had reached a point where he needed to ask himself: Did he still need to go to some of the events he used to go to? It wasn’t arrogance, and he didn’t think he was above anyone. In fact, he was really having a hard time figuring out whether he should go or not. His job and career trajectory had changed, and the way he needed to spend his time had changed with it.
Naturally, the events that make sense can change as your career changes.
On the other hand, sometimes the answer is simple: yes. No more discussion is needed.
However, I realized I ask myself a few questions before I say yes. First, of course, I check my calendar. Then it’s:
What’s the event?
That sounds ridiculously obvious, but I think this is important.
Who’s throwing it? Date, time? Place? Is it possible to get there on time depending on where and when? (Again, LA traffic)
I need to make choices based on the hat I’m wearing—either Music Supervisor for Soul Sonic Music or Publisher of American Music + Media. There are personal events too, but I’d like to keep this focused on business events.
Who’s going?
What’s the vibe? Is it my professional community? Is it people doing interesting work? Is it a room where I’m hoping to have good conversations?
Sometimes I know. Sometimes I don’t. And sometimes not knowing is part of the fun. You never know! I love bumping into people at random places.
What is the purpose of the event?
I think problems happen when we expect one kind of event to deliver the experience of another.
Different rooms can serve different purposes.
A friend recently called because he’s coming into town and passed an idea by me about putting on a gathering together. During this conversation (I was doing most of the talking ‘cause I’m from Jersey!), we realized we approach curating events differently.
I’ve hosted the Golden Hour mixers for 4 years now, and personally, I prefer to curate the invitation list. People are personally invited, or someone I know invites them.
He likes to open his events up publicly and whoever finds it is welcome to join. He told me an incredible story about how he met one of his best friends at one of his events. Hold on - how great is that? I love that story!
We’re ultimately doing the same thing: bringing people in our community together. However, there might be a different vibe and people in attendance. The way an event is put together affects the kind of room it becomes.
What am I hoping to get out of the event?
This could include learning something, creating or building relationships, meeting new and current clients, or just connecting with the community.
I might need to cover an article or news topic for American Music + Media.
And sometimes there is good food. Hey - let’s not pretend that has never influenced a decision!
In this case, am I going for the content and/or the community? This was actually an important part of my decision about going to the Guild conference.
Yes, there are panels and conversations I’m interested in. But ultimately, I decided to go because I want to support the Guild. I’m a member of this community. And showing up is important.
You can read a press release or read a social post about it, but there’s something SO different about actually being there in person. Post-pandemic, I don’t take these outings for granted anymore.
Maybe you’ve been working alone for a few days and need to see another human being who isn’t on Zoom.
All valid.
And finally: Will I enjoy myself?
This sounds obvious, but I think we forget to ask: Would I actually enjoy being there?
There are plenty of legitimate business reasons to attend events, but we’re also human beings.
This one probably matters more to me now than it did years ago. Because the event doesn’t necessarily need a measurable ROI.
And sometimes you look at the invitation and think: Nope. Sweatpants.
Also a valid choice.
What Are You Going to Do With Your Time?
On my birthday about 10 years ago, an former boss said something I’ve never forgotten:
“What are you going to do with the time you have left?”
Well… holy mackerel. Thanks for the light conversation. 😂
It sounds dramatic, but I understood what he meant. Our time matters. And the older I get, the more aware I am of it and the more intentional I am about how I spend it—not because every hour has to produce something, but because I want the things I say yes to actually mean something to me.
If I’m working, I want the work to matter. If I’m spending time with people, I want to actually be present. If I’m going somewhere, I want to understand why I’m going.
That doesn’t mean everything has to generate revenue or advance my career.
Absolutely not.
The most valuable moments in this business have had nothing to do with money. They could be having a really good laugh and enjoying the moment, seeing someone I haven’t seen in years, or meeting somebody completely unexpected.
These are the things that matter most. Maybe more than we realize at the time.
Which brings me back to Saturday.
I’m going to the Guild of Music Supervisors conference.
Once I actually thought about why I would go, the decision became pretty clear. I’m a member of the Guild and I care about our community and I want to support it. Plus, this conference only happens once a year.
The Guild is largely powered by people volunteering their time and energy. The board, committees, volunteers, Friends of the Guild, sponsors and everyone involved in putting on a conference like this are doing a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes. I truly respect their efforts and appreciate them.
I also want to see my colleagues, and I enjoy meeting new people.
Plus, as publisher of American Music + Media, events like the Guild conference also matter because I want to see what’s happening firsthand. I want to hear what people are talking about. I want to understand what issues are coming up. I want to highlight the work people are doing.
So there are actually several reasons for me to be there.
And frankly, I work from my home office most of the time and I need to get out. There. I said it.
Your reason might be business. And sometimes the thing that makes an event worthwhile isn’t whatever was written on the invitation. Maybe it’s the conversation you have standing in the hallway, or seeing the person you haven’t seen in a while, or meeting a new person. Or maybe you hear something that sparks an idea and sends your brain somewhere completely unexpected. Or just the reminder that you’re part of a community you actually care about.
All of these are perfectly legitimate reasons. There doesn’t have to be some giant strategic agenda attached to everything.
Maybe that’s really the point of all of this. I don’t have to go to everything. And no one needs a massive career objective every time you leave the house.
But I do think it helps to understand why you’re saying yes.
Before automatically saying yes or no, maybe ask yourself:
Why would I go? If you have a good answer, put on your shoes (and don’t forget some clothes!) and get out the door.
Because sometimes the most valuable thing you get out of an event isn’t on the schedule at all. It’s simply being in the room.
See you next Wednesday.
— Jacquie
P.S. - If you’re interested in learning more about the conference or want to attend in-person or virtually, here’s the link:
https://www.gmsmediaconference.com/
Hope to see you there! Be sure to stop me and say hello!
