April 8, 2015 – Moncton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Ask most people about East Coast Music Week (ECMW), and they will tell you it’s a week-long celebration of Atlantic musical talent, kicking off with the annual East Coast Music Gala Awards Show. Truth be told, it’s all that and more. East Coast Music Week includes a wide array of music industry events, workshops and showcases, including the International Export Buyers Program, designed to sharpen the global marketing skills and visibility of East Coast artists.
The International Export Buyers Program, made possible in part through contributions from the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA), puts Atlantic Canadian musical artists within earshot of booking agents, talent buyers, festival promoters, digital experts and music industry media from around the world. IBDA funding helps the ECMA organize exporting presentation showcases, enhanced export training, pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings, and advanced professional development sessions.
In addition to industry representatives from across the region and the rest of Canada, delegates travelling to St. John’s to promote international markets this year will be coming from the United States, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Scotland and even as far away as Australia. Organizers say the International Export Buyers Program has been growing every year since 2002, and results in millions of dollars in annual revenue for East Coast artists and companies.
Quick Facts:
- The IBDA is contributing $100,000 to support the 2015 International Export Buyers Program.
- Now in its 14th year, the International Export Buyers Program will attract over 100 delegates from seven countries.
- Through ACOA’s Business Development Program, the Government of Canada has also contributed $100,000 to the East Coast Music Association to support marketing efforts to promote this premier event.
- The IBDA is a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada and is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets. The IBDA is a key component of a pan-Atlantic effort to foster business relations, attract foreign investment and nurture technological co-operation.
Quotes:
“East Coast Music Week provides a great platform to showcase Atlantic Canada’s musical talents nationally and internationally, helping to create and maintain jobs in the region. I am very pleased our Government is supporting the International Export Buyers Program through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“In a little over 14 years, the International Export Buyers Program has grown from 13 international delegates to well over 100. With 650 pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings planned for 2015, we expect it will result in millions of dollars for East Coast artists and companies. The Program is the leading North American ‘business-to-business’ international marketplace and has effectively expanded the reach of the entire Atlantic Canadian region on a global stage.”
- Andy McLean, Executive Director, East Coast Music Association
Associated Links:
Background – International delegates to the International Export Buyers Program:
Alan Bearman Music / Sidmouth Folk Week (England)
http://www.alanbearmanmusic.co.uk, http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
Perth Concert Hall / Southern Fried Americana Festival (Scotland)
http://www.horsecross.co.uk
Les Francofolies de Spa (Belgium)
http://www.francofolies.be
Woodford Folk Festival / Festival Small Halls (Australia)
http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com, http://festivalofsmallhalls.com
NBCUniversal (United States)
http://www.nbcuni.com
Rhythm & Roots Festival (United States)
http://www.rhythmandroots.com
TwentyTwo Promotions (Scotland)
http://www.twentytwopromotions.com
Summerfest (United States)
http://www.summerfest.com
Warwick Folk Festival / Bromyard Folk Festival (England)
http://www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk, http://www.bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk
Celtic Connections Festival (Scotland)
http://www.celticconnections.com
NC Museum Park / National Council for the Traditional Arts (United States)
http://www.ncartmuseum.org, http://ncta-usa.org
123 Agency (Australia)
http://www.123agency.com.au
Mothlight Music (United States)
Rhythm Section (Australia)
http://www.rhythmsection.com.au
Boulevardia / Kansas City Irish Fest / KC Riverfest / Jingle Jam Family Fest (United States)
http://www.kcirishfest.com, http://www.boulevardia.com
Razor & Tie (United States)
http://www.razorandtie.com
Active Events (Scotland)
http://www.activeevents.org.uk
Panache Booking (United States)
http://www.panacherock.com
Pittsburgh Irish Festival Inc. (United States)
http://www.pghirishfest.org
Regent Music (England)
http://www.regentmusic.com
Midnight Mango Ltd. / Chagstock Festival (England)
http://www.midnightmango.co.uk, http://www.chagstock.info
Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting / SOCAN Song House (United States)
http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com, http://www.socanwriternashville.com
Live It Out Agency (England)
http://www.liveitout.co.uk/
Electric Harmony (England)
http://www.electricharmonymusic.com
Burnsong Ltd (Scotland)
http://www.burnsong.org
The Windish Agency (United States)
http://www.windishagency.com
Festival Director, FolkEast Festival (England)
http://folkeast.co.uk
Strategic Partnerships, Music Content at YouTube (United States)
http://www.youtube.com
Playpen Management & Agency / English Folk Expo (England)
http://www.playpenmusic.co.uk/
Myriad Artists (United States)
http://www.myriadartists.com
Pas Mal Bien Agency (Switzerland)
http://www.pasmalbien.com
PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, Inc. (United States)
http://www.pinecone.org
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Ronald Levesque
A/Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2085
Ronald.Levesque@acoa-apeca.gc.ca