Originally published on Tuesday, 24th March 2009

Miami Beach

Did you know that in Dante’s original manuscript, conferences were actually the Tenth Circle of Hell? In fact, I have friends with proper jobs (their words), who would gladly swap their weekend-long business conferences for a sojourn in Guantanamo. As I keep reminding them, they’re clearly in the wrong business.

And seeing as we can't join the four million strong stampede that's caused Bush to claim a state of emergency in the capital (well played Sir, well played), we're planning our own little shindig.

What they really want is something more like the Winter Music Conference. Sure it's technically a networking event. But it pulls in some of the world's biggest music bods, for starters. Then there are the legendary parties (like the massive Mixmag one this Friday, featuring HRH P Diddy versus Felix Da Housecat). Oh, and did I mention that it's in Miami?

While the rest of the world might be plummeting headlong into a mire of fiscal stagnation, South Beach seems to be burning strong. There are the newly-launched, über-slick hotels, the Viceroy and (humbly monikered) Epic, and the more fam-friendly revamped Betsy. And with Ace Hotels cracking open their newest budget-boutique in Palm Springs to call home, post-WMC, we're out of reasons not to cash in on a last minute ticket.

And it's a Hell of a step up from Earl's Court.

Just in case you find yourself in Miami this weekend, we've got a pair of tickets up for grabs to the super-exclusive Mixmag/Ciroc 'Main Event 2' this Friday, Mar 27.

Even better than last year, bad boy music style icon P Diddy will be taking on electro overlord Felix da Housecat, with even more amazing guests on the roster.

Just tell us who's better: P Dids or Felix?.

by AC