ECMA Announces 2016 Export Buyers Program, Delegates & Highlights

 Press release provided by Pigeon Row 
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Over 75 international delegates from the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Belgium, France and Australia descend upon Sydney, Nova Scotia for the 28th celebration of Eastlink East Coast Music Week, April 13-17, 2016.

“Fifteen years ago, ECMA launched the Export Buyers Program with 13 international delegates,” says Shelley Nordstrom, Export Manager for the East Coast Music Association. “Fast forward to 2016 and it has flourished to become a North American success story, renowned as a leading ‘business to business’ marketplace with over 75 international and Canadian delegates. The program continues to deliver solid results and millions of dollars in annual revenue for East Coast artists and companies and steadfastly builds long term effective relationships with international and Canadian booking agents, presenters, festival representatives, promoters, film and music placement supervisors, digital experts, and media. The Export Buyers Program has substantially increased the presence of Atlantic Canada and our artists and businesses on the global world stage.”

“Canada’s economic success comes from its strong communities, and the diversity of its people.  This diversity is what makes our country a great place to live, and it contributes to the talent of Canadian artists. The Export Buyers Program provides Canada’s artists with the chance to shine on the global stage, while creating economic benefits for the Atlantic region,” 

said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The 2016 ECMA Export Buyers Program highlights include a wide variety of Interactive Export Business Development sessions, pre-scheduled One-on-One Business Meetings, Networking Mixers and the hugely popular Canadian Music East Coast Style Export Buyers Showcases, and ‘Two for the Show’ - Live Performance Pitch Sessions.

"The ECMA Export Buyers Program has long been an integral part of our music industry growth in both a national and international scale," says ECMA Executive Director Andy McLean. "We pride ourselves on bringing in a wide range of innovative and influential buyers from around the world. I'm certain that this year's program will offer our artists significant business opportunities that will further their careers."

The 2016 Industry Conference features some of the music industry’s biggest and best minds, who will lead four days of seminars, forums, workshops, showcases and business meetings.

A complete list of the 2016 Export Buyers Program delegates and the industry conference schedule is available at www.ecma.com.

Participants include: 

Some of the international program delegates include: (US) booking agent Brad Madison, Mongrel Music (CA); Matt Spinner, Ground Control Touring (IL); Mark Lourie,  Skyline Music Agency (NH); co-founder and executive director, Crista Munro, Folkwest and the Four Corners Folk Festival and the Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival (CO); Ben Andersen, Prescott Park Arts Festival and the Up, Down & Away Festival (NH); Anya Sadler, The Ark and Ann Arbour Folk Festival (MI); talent buyer  David Silbaugh, Summerfest (MI); program director, Terri Dollar, Artsplosure/ First Night® Raleigh/ Arts Alive Raleigh (NC); and film and television licensing experts, Marcus Barone, Film Music Group and Marielle Te, Hit The Ground Running (CA) to name a few.

Some of the European delegation includes: promoters Bev Burton, Killer B Music; Tom Clipson, Eat Your Own Ears; booking agent, Claire Courtney, Earth Music Agency; label and blogger, Achtal Dhillon, Killing Moon; Malcolm Haynes, Glastonbury Festival Ltd., Bob Gilchrist, Oscar Music Agency, Loudon Temple, Brookfield Knights; Craig Corse, TwentyTwo Promotions; Lisa Whytock, Active Events; Emilie Dehez, Progress Booking (Belgium); and Gérard Auger, Espace 93 - Victor Hugo (France) and more. The Australian delegates include: entertainment and booking agent, Zenon Els, Artist Network; Mark Duckworth, Broadbeach Alliance Gold Coast; and Jon Howell, Rhythm Section.

A few of the Canadian presenters include: Chris Dearlove, Canada Scene, National Arts Centre; Mark Monahan, RBC Ottawa BluesFest/ CityFolk; Kelly Symes, Festival of Small Halls Ontario; Arnaud Cordier, Festival D'été De Québec; Marc-André Sarault, Festival de la Chanson de Tadoussac; Julian Paquin and Steve Butler, Paquin Artists Agency; TK Gesner, Toronto Pride; arts presenting touring networks, Skip Taylor, OSAC, Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council; Steve Derpack, Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta; Judy Harquail, Ontario Presents; and music supervisors; Heather Gardiner, Vapor Music; David Hayman, Supergroup Sonic Branding Co.; and Michael Perlmutter, instinct entertainment. ECMA also welcomes many local presenters, festival programmers, and members of the Atlantic Presenters Association. 

The 2016 Export Buyers Program and Eastlink East Coast Music Week have received financial support from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Business Development Program and Service Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. The East Coast Music Association would also like to acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, MUSICACTION and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada's private radio broadcasters.