The festival season may be in full swing now, but come October, it's winding down. But what's this? The momentous Amsterdam Dance Event, which takes place this year from 18th – 20th October, looms on the horizon like a clubbing colossus, with a momentous line-up of DJs and live acts.

Part festival, part conference, the event is a one-stop shop for all your dance music related needs. Whether it be shaking your behind or meeting business partners, discovering exciting new musical styles or simply rocking out, ADE has it all.

Now in its twelfth year, the conference programme is held in the historic Felix Meritis building, in a picturesque canal-side spot. With networking and business lounges, a broad range of panels, keynote speeches and meetings, it offers a genuine all-encompassing gateway for movers and shakers and novices into the world of dance music.

And on the festival side, this year has a blinding bill of electronic artists so you can seal that deal and then dance the night away in a range of clubs around the city with Aknaton, 11 and Paradiso only a few clubs involved. Last year 57,000 punters converged on the city, and this year promises to be no exception. Miss Kittin and The Hacker are playing live, with DJs like Dave Clarke, Speedy J, Vitalic, Paul van Dyk, Alter Ego, Sinden, Mattafix, Ferry Corsten, Skream, Plastician, Digital Mystikz, Gus Gus, Marco V and Mr Oizo signed up to play.

Dutch trance deity Ferry Corsten, who played the event last year, will be both DJing and appearing on one of this year's panels, and reckons the ADE is the one event where the conference and the festival are equally important.

"If you look at these business related events in general, it's normally just an excuse for a party - look at Miami!" said Ferry. "The cool thing about the Amsterdam event is that there's still a very decent business side to it. There are a lot of labels, a lot of DJs, a lot of party promoters that come over and actually do some networking, some business, and then go on to the incredible parties at night."

Location-wise, too, Corsten reckons it couldn't be in a better place. "Amsterdam is accessible and it's also an exciting city! The venue is an old merchant house right on the canal. It's surrounded by all these hotels, all these restaurants and all the clubs, so it's perfect."

We want to send YOU over to Amsterdam for the ADE to be DJmag's roving reporter! In return for a full review of all the festival highlights and hot tips for DJmag.com, we'll give you:

• Two return flights from the UK to Amsterdam, departing 18th and returning 21st October
• Accommodation at the Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Zeeburg
• Entry to ALL the festival action and parties!

To win, you need to impress us with your writing skills. Tell is why you should be our international reporter-at-large in 100 words.

Please send your entry and personal details to: ben.murphy@djmag.com Closing date is 28th August. What are you waiting for?