The BPI and Music Publishers Association have released initial details of their annual trade mission to Germany, taking place from September 20–24.
Returning for a third year in succession and supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as part of its MUSIC IS GREAT campaign to promote British music exports, the initiative offers UK record labels, music publishers and entrepreneurs direct and unparalleled insight to the world’s fourth largest recorded music market, where last year one in every six albums purchased were by British artists.
The mission will enable participants to meet face-to-face with local music executives and to gain a clearer and more detailed understanding of the German music market.
For the first time the 2016 programme will encompass activities in two cities: Berlin and Hamburg. Kicking off in the German capital on September 20 with a day of panels and presentations, an invite-only networking event and various on-site visits, the mission will then travel on to Hamburg on September 21st for further B2B meetings as well as an exclusive reception and artist showcase at the Reeperbahn Festival.
The price of the mission (£125 + VAT) includes entry to the Reeperbahn Festival, and is less than the cost of booking a ticket to Reeperbahn alone, while the organisers have also secured delegates competitive rates for hotel accommodation. The deadline for applications is July 27.
Claire McAuley, MPA's general manager, said: “Working in partnership with the BPI and UKTI, the trade mission offers MPA members a perfect opportunity to gain a foothold in the highly competitive German music market. As well as offering unbeatable value, the initiative offers direct access to German music executives, thought-provoking panels and networking parties as well as entry to the Reeperbahn Festival, now rightly recognised as among the world’s leading music industry conferences.”
Chris Tams, BPI director of international and independent member services, said: “British music is hugely popular in Germany – last year one in every six albums purchased was by a British artist, so it’s perhaps no surprise that this annual mission keeps going from strength to strength. In 2016 it will take in the two key cities of Berlin and Hamburg for the first time, which means delegates will get even more out of the trip.”