March 5, 2013
Provincial and Federal Governments Help
Atlantic Canadian Musicians Compete in International Markets
Atlantic Canadian professional musicians will have the chance to showcase their talents and to develop new, strategic business alliances with international industry during the 2013 Eastlink East Coast Music Week, thanks to support from the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments.
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of East Coast Music Week, held this year in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from March 6 to 10. It is the premier event of its kind in Atlantic Canada and one of the top music industry events on the continent. The week includes a music festival, an awards ceremony, and a conference – all of which attract industry professionals, talent buyers, media and record labels from around the globe.
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the East Coast Music Association and our Atlantic artists and industry professionals,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “We recognize the importance of the music sector to Atlantic Canada’s economy and the export potential of the region’s performers, and this event provides a stage like no other to showcase Atlantic Canada’s talent.”
Federal and provincial funding will support the ECMA’s International Export Buyers Program, one of Canada's premier national and international ‘incoming buyer’ industry trade events, as well as one of the leading forums for international business development in the Atlantic Canadian music industry. The main goal of this program is to create export and business opportunities in new markets—at home and abroad— for Atlantic Canadian performers, publishers and managers in the music industry, through export training and matchmaking opportunities that provide increased cultural awareness and market intelligence.
“The Provincial Government has a mandate to promote and encourage the export of goods and services by local businesses in the national and international marketplace,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “Our support for the ECMA’s Export Buyers Program allows Newfoundland and Labrador musicians to promote their businesses to the world. As a result, performers can grow their enterprises, pursue their passion and increase awareness about the talented and driven musicians of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The ECMA is a non-profit association. Its celebration of Atlantic Canadian music has grown from a one-day event to a five-day international conference. It was hosted in Halifax for the first five years and has grown to a pan-Atlantic event with venue locations rotating throughout all four Atlantic provinces.
“The support we have received from the federal and provincial governments is critical to helping us to foster, develop, promote and celebrate our artists and music locally and globally,” says Scott Burke, Executive Director of the East Coast Music Association. “With this funding, we have created an event that promotes our region's great musical wealth among industry leaders who can, in turn, open doors for our artists in new markets, while also generating revenue for the local economy.”
An investment of $100,000 for the Export Buyers Program is being provided through the Canada-Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The IBDA is a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada, designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is also contributing $100,000 to the East Coast Music Association through its Business Development Program (BDP), to assist with marketing activities and an economic impact study.
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Media contacts:
| Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-4570 DianaQuinton@gov.nl.ca |
Andrea Richer Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Gail Shea 613-790-3637 andrea.richer@acoa-apeca.gc.ca |
| Jennifer Goostrey Manager, Client Services Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 506-851-4831 jennifer.goosrey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca |
2013 03 05 1:00 p.m.