ASCAP's 2013 General Annual Membership Meeting was held on Thursday, April 18th at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The meeting kicked off the 2013 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, the annual three-day conference for music creators featuring educational and inspiring panels, networking opportunities and exhibits.

The US Trade Representative's Special 301 Report shows that the US government is serious about upholding music creators' rights around the globe. Now it's time to turn the report’s recommendations into concrete benefits for songwriters, composers and publishers.

The report from the U.S. Trade Representative specifically calls on foreign governments to ensure that adequate copyright payments are made when U.S. musical compositions are performed in TV and radio broadcasts, over cable systems and in all other kinds of public performances.

While the afterglow of this year’s eighth annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO still burns, here’s a look back at some of the highlights, from lessons learned to great photo and video moments from the heart of it all in Hollywood.

Mark your calendars! On May 7th at 1pm EDT, hip-hop/R&B songwriter-producer duo Planet VI (aka Rock City) takes over ASCAP's Twitter account to answer your questions. We're proud to co-host this Twitter Q&A with our friends at Universal.

Nominations for the 2013 Tony Awards have been announced, and ASCAP members have once again made an impressive showing in the group of theatre greats. Among the nominations are Harvey Fierstein, Douglas Carter Beane and songwriting duos Pasek and Paul and Rodgers + Hammerstein.

If you couldn't be in LA with us, we are again offering you the ability to watch the EXPO! Over 40 panels, which is nearly 60 hours of content, are available to stream online. By purchasing EXPO Video Access, you will get to view the panels at your leisure.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) inducted Oscar and Golden Globe-winning ASCAP composer Elliot Goldenthal into the NYFA Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 23rd. Goldenthal is a prolific writer of music for orchestra, theater, opera, ballet and film.

Noted pianist-composer John Beasley will act as the Music Director for the culmination of the 2nd annual International Jazz Day, held this year in Istanbul, Turkey. The concert will feature performances by jazz icons from around the world.

Alexis Spight is a talented young singer-songwriter whose polished debut recording is making waves in Gospel music with its emotional honesty and uncompromising message of acceptance and inclusion. The Buffalo native was raised in the church and sees singing as a ministry for people who struggle to be themselves and find God.

The Sundance Film Festival visited London for its second consecutive year, featuring a Music Café presented by ASCAP. Hosted at The Hub at The O2, the Sundance ASCAP Music Café included three days of programming from April 25th - 28th, featuring performances from Wolf Alice, Mary Epworth, Josef Salvat and more.