Dates: October 28 – 29, 2026
Venue: Euskalduna Palace, Bilbao
What is the Congress and What Are Its Objectives?
The Faculty of Communication Sciences at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya invites you to participate in the 2nd International Research Conference on Creative Industries (CIIIC), held within the framework of BIME, the 13th edition of which is due to take place in Bilbao. BIME has established itself as one of the premier events for music industry professionals globally, ranked among the top 4 events worldwide according to Pollstar and IQ Magazine.
In its second edition, this international gathering of creative industries professionals will once again host a research conference for academics, consolidating a pioneering initiative in the sector. BIME reaffirms its position as one of the world’s five leading music industry events, standing out for its commitment to innovation, sustainability and professionalisation within the creative industries.
The conference aims to become a key reference in both academic and professional spheres, contributing to knowledge creation and the development of solutions to the sector’s challenges in Spanish-speaking markets, with music as a driving force for transformation in digitalisation, sustainability and new forms of cultural consumption.
Call for papers
The call for academic papers and applied research studies on the challenges and opportunities of the music sector in Spanish-speaking creative markets is now open. The conference seeks to establish itself as a platform for generating and transferring knowledge on the socioeconomic, technological and cultural dynamics currently shaping the music industry.
The goal is to foster the development of innovative and sustainable business models, in dialogue and convergence with other markets and sectors within the creative industries.
The growing demand for research, training and professionalisation strategies in the Spanish-language music industry represents a key challenge for the sector’s global competitiveness. This challenge is further heightened by the need to adapt to technological change, climate challenges and new forms of cultural consumption that are redefining the market.
Researchers, professionals and academics are therefore invited to submit papers focused on the music sector as a field of study. Submissions from diverse perspectives are welcome, including quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as experimental approaches within the artistic and creative domains.
Topics of interest include: the impact of digitalisation on music production and distribution, labour market dynamics, the role of digital platforms in promoting Spanish-language music and sustainability strategies in the Ibero-American context. Furthermore, research analysing music as a driver of transformation in other sectors such as audiovisual media, advertising, sport, fashion, tourism or politics will also be considered.
Topics:
Proposals may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The impact of music on creative industries and other economic sectors
- Business models in the music industry: streaming, copyright, monetisation, entrepreneurship, startups and new platforms
- Creation and the Star System: artistic trends and references, consumption patterns, creative processes, artificial intelligence and technology
- Cultural policies and legislation: regulation, ethical issues, artists’ rights and intellectual property in the digital era
- Music, audiences and society: inclusion, diversity, cultural phenomena and the social impact of music
- Festivals and entertainment: trends, sustainability, new formats, music and entertainment, etc.
- Education and training in the creative industries: new methodologies and challenges in music education and management
- Music, communication and cultural influencers (media, fashion, advertising, sports, entertainment, etc.)
The results of this call will serve as a key reference point for research and development in the music industry, fostering knowledge transfer and strengthening synergies between academia and the industry.
Submission guidelines
Those interested should send an abstract of their proposal with the following details:
- Full name
- Paper title
- Abstract (max. 300 words)
- Keywords (3-5)
Key Dates
- Submission deadline: 30 June 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 31 July 2026
- Full paper submission deadline: 20 September 2026
- Conference dates: 28 and 29 October 2026
Submission of proposals
The proposals and the full paper should be sent to info@ciiic-bime.org.
Registration: main category
- Speaker: €169 (certificate of participation)
- Attendees: €129
- Students (with accreditation): €89
*All participants who attend the conference will receive a certificate of attendance. In addition, those who present a paper will receive an additional certificate confirming their role as speakers at the event.
**All registrations include access on 28 and 29 October to the full line-up of BIME PRO activities, which include a series of panels featuring leading figures from the international music industry, artists and key creative industries players; 60 concerts and showcases in public spaces and venues across Bilbao; presentations of innovation projects and startup competitions in the creative sector; access to the event’s professional attendee database; as well as networking breakfasts and cocktail events. For more information, see: https://bime.org/