Like its famous, Miami-based older brother, the Rio Music Conference is a blend of the serious - workshops, debates and networking - and the not-so serious - big name DJs from around the world descending on the city to show just why they are at the top of their game. All of the goings on, however, have the same goal - promoting dance music to the masses.

The first edition in 2009 arrived with remarkably little fanfare so while most eyes were focusing on carnival, RMC Volume One came somewhat out of the blue. Fortunately, enough big-hitters like Pete Tong and Gui Boratto were on hand to ensure its success; Funk Carioca legend DJ Marlboro chatted about how best to network and even DJ Marky gave a crash course in basic discoteckery. German techno hero Sven Vath took to the ones and twos, and David Guetta appeared just as his career was about to go into the stratosphere and his face become plastered all over MTV.

The DJs

Last year's appearances by Soul Clap, Jamie Jones and Ellen Alien put this year's somewhat safer-looking line-up in the shade for the underground heads, but Fatboy Slim and Tiesto's annual pilgrimmages are always worth a look, and Richie Hawtin flies the flag for the underground with Germanic precision and panache. Elsewhere, there are other RMC events including the Innervisions Showcase at 00 with Dixon, Henrik Schwarz and Âme and the mighty Circoloco at The Week with none other than the eccentric Seth Troxler headlining.

The confirmed line-ups so far:

Friday 8 February
Tiësto
Mary Olivetti

Saturday 9 February
Fatboy Slim
Paula Pedroza

Sunday 10 February
Richie Hawtin
Maurício Lopes

Monday 11 February
Bob Sinclar
DJ Meme

Tuesday 12 February
Erick Morillo
Ask2Quit

The conference

Workshops and panel discussions take place a week before the music spread across four rooms - 'Chicago', 'Ibiza', 'Berlin' and 'London'. Among the guests are Anderson Noise, one of Brazil's biggest DJs reflecting on a 25-year career (1 February, 4.30pm), a workshop on using Traktor and other digital mediums (1 February, 7pm), and a Q&A with Detroit 3 (2 February, 5pm), members of the techno collective Underground Resistance who play in Centro the same evening. Hotel Pestana, Avenida Atlântica 2964, Copacabana. 1-2 February, 2-10pm. R$90.