New U.S. showcase festival and business conference celebrating innovation in music, the arts, science and technology Bull City Summit (BCS) is returning to Durham, North Carolina this September 18-24, 2023. Now going on its second turn, BCS expands this September to a full week inclusive of business conference programming and a world-class lineup of keynotes, panels, and concerts taking place at The Durham Armory and throughout the downtown area at co-working offices, live music venues, craft breweries, and more. BCS Business PRO industry badges, which provide access to all panels, speeches, concerts, exhibitions, and events, as well as individual concert and event tickets, are now available at bullcitysummit.com.

Heralded by media ranging from Axios to GrepBeat as “what’s next for the Triangle” and “the next SXSW," BCS kicks off Monday, September 18 with an opening night benefit concert at Motorco Music Hall in downtown Durham featuring North Carolina soul icon Lee Fields. It is presented by Love, Tito’s, in support of Durham-based Families and Communities Rising (FCR).

On Tuesday September 19, BCS welcomes Harvey Mason Jr. (CEO, The Recording Academy, The GRAMMYS) as BCS 2023 Music Keynote. Mason will speak on the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on the music industry, specifically highlighting recent changes at the Academy attempting to address these issues for the GRAMMY Awards' process. BCS 2023 Science & Technology’s Keynote will be Mark Yusko (Managing Director, Morgan Creek Digital). On Wednesday, September 20, Yusko will speak on the current state of cryptocurrencies, blockchain, web3 and what he describes as an imminent "new crypto bull market" for late 2023. BCS 2023 Arts, Humanities, and Culture programming kicks off day three with a keynote presentation from Dabney Hailey, (Founder, CEO, The Hailey Group). On Thursday, September 21, Dabney will present an interactive speech about the cognitive impact of art on behavioral growth. BCS keynotes are joined by an additional 30+ thought leaders joining panels throughout the week spanning live music, esports, mental health, entrepreneurship, LGBTQ+ rights, cannabis and more.

Beyond North Carolina’s Lee Fields, BCS 2023’s music lineup is nothing short of spectacular. Tuesday September 19 welcomes New Orleans Americana legend Anders Osborne and on Thursday September 21, DJ Z-Trip will headline a 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Celebration showcasing emerging North Carolina artists. BCS night five hosts Brooklyn noise experimentalists A Place To Bury Strangers and Raleigh native rocker Emily Wolfe, and the week closes out on Saturday September 23 headlined by Canadian electro-rock duo Death From Above 1979. BCS Music includes an additional 50+ showcasing musicians and artists from throughout North Carolina, the southeast, and beyond.

Families and Communities Rising has a 50+ year history and uses evidence-based frameworks and practices to transform lives and positively influence the trajectories of vulnerable children, families and communities. Throughout the week, FCR and additional local non-profit organizations and community groups including The Triangle Blues Society and WUNC North Carolina Public Radio will also have presence at BCS conference events, happy hours, concerts, community events and more.

"Bull City Summit highlights pioneering global thought leaders, local and small businesses, artists and innovators all converging to support the culture and communities of the Triangle and North Carolina region," said Parag Bhandari, Founder and Executive Producer, Bull City Summit (BCS). "Durham, North Carolina is a visionary hotbed of creativity and we are proud to share our diverse, purpose-led programming with the community and abroad."

"Families and Communities Rising is excited about its partnership with Bull City Summit, which increases our impact on the Durham community and also allows us to further fund, champion, and raise awareness for local organizations and innovative individuals," says Terry David, President & CEO, Families and Communities Rising. "Our mission is to educate and empower children, families, communities and organizations by unique educational and supportive services. We are thrilled to present inclusive, informative BCS panel programming that recognizes the juxtaposition of rapid, regional growth to marginalized communities."

BCS first launched in 2022 with a successful pilot event that fused music, art, technology, and entrepreneurship including a keynote from activist and New York Times best selling author Reshma Saujani (Founder, Girls Who Code) and a North Carolina emerging music showcase headlined by music luminary A-trak. Serving as a corner along with Raleigh and Chapel Hill to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park (RTP), Durham hosts more than 170 high tech companies as well as a thriving entrepreneurial and artistic community. Durham–home to major multinational technology and healthcare corporations entities–is located midway between New York City and Miami with convenient access to major interstate highways I-95 and I-40. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is ranked as one of the best mid/large-sized airports and has 10 major airlines with 400+ daily flights. The area boasts over 25 museums, 65 art galleries and almost 50 performing arts centers and theaters.