Over its 25-year history, the Winter Music Conference has become one of the top electronic dance conferences in the world. Last year, the WMC attracted music industry participants and fans from over 70 countries to Miami during the five non-stop days of seminars, workshops and performances.

In 2011, the WMC is moving from its normal hotel setting to the Miami Beach Conference Center. It still retains the South Beach location, crucial for the evening showcases and parties, but the larger venue allows for more attendees to enjoy all that the WMC has to offer.

Dates for the 2011 Winter Music Conference have been announced for March 8 to 12. Organizers haven’t announced the showcase DJs and artists, but last year’s WMC list included the likes of deadmau5, Grammy-winner David Guetta and Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am.

A five-day WMC industry badge, which includes admission to all of the seminars, panels and demonstrations, along with access to the showcases and majority of evening parties, is currently priced at $325 through December 22, 2010. It then goes up to $375 until January 19, 2011, after which, the price jumps to $425 until Feb 23, 2011. After that, if there are still badges left, they’ll be $475 at the door.

The WMC badge also includes free admission to the International Record Collectors show and the 26th Annual International Dance Music Awards, both held during the WMC.

The Winter Music Conference website not only has purchase information, but conference rates listed for area hotels like the Albion Hotel, The Raleigh, Grand Beach Hotel and Courtyard South Beach. I recommend you reserve your hotel as soon as possible as rooms tend to sell out fast with the number people that come to town just for this event.

The only downside to the 2011 WMC is that the Ultra Music Festival, a huge outdoor electronic music event, has decided to part ways and go it alone as a separate festival. It’ll be interesting to see what the WMC will come up with in its place.