WOMEX – The World Music Expo www.womex.com How to make the best of your event attendance Some notes for potential delegates
Made in Berlin / Travelling through Europe / 20 Editions
Acknowledged as the most international hub of all professional music meetings worldwide in general, and as the most important annual meeting point for the world music community in particular, the 2014 edition gathered 2,400 delegates and more than 320 artists from 90 countries.
It offers... Photos by Jacob Crawfurd
…A bustling Trade Fair with 668 exhibiting companies from 47 countries at 280 stands, including numerous umbrella stands of countries, regions, networks and other joint-venture structures
Photo by Eric Van Nieuwland
(Stats: WOMEX 2014)
‌More than 60 Showcase acts with more than 320 artists from 40 countries on 7 stages, including the Atlantic Connections stage
Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
(Stats: WOMEX 2014)
‌70 speakers and mentors from 26 countries in more than 20 Conference Sessions; a world & jazz focus plus a special programme dedicated to global club music; Mentoring and South African Speed-Dating
Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
(Stats: WOMEX 2014)
…WOMEX Film Screenings presenting documentaries that portray music, movements and history from across the world.
Photo: Journey to Jah film still
WOMEX Key Figures
(Stats: WOMEX 2014)
WOMEX Delegates by Region
(Stats: WOMEX 2014)
WOMEX delegates told us of 90 of these events per year that they attend...
Some Key facts of for live perfomance market in Germany * Schengen country * biggest Live Market in Europe * different deals for concerts * very decentralised market in terms of: regional sectors, various relevant regions and media channels besides Berlin as capital region *live business set-up and strategy for Germany: agent, pr-company, tools, pricing policy, tax and costs *important festivals and music meeting e.g. reeperbahn festival, eurosonic festival and more...
…The celebratory WOMEX Opening Concert …The prestigious WOMEX Awards –
last year going to Mariza, Mário Lúcio Sousa and top label Glitterbeat Records …The WOMEX Radio Studio for live interviews and performances
Photos by Jacob Crawfurd
SHOWCASE ARTISTS at WOMEX 14 Santiago de Compostela............... Ajinai (China) - Abavuki (South Africa) - Baloji (DR Congo/Belgium) - Batida (Angola/Portugal) - Bostich + Fussible from Nortec Collective (Mexico) - Calima (Spain) - Césaria Évora Orchestra (Cabo Verde) Custódio Castelo (Portugal) - Davide Salvado (Spain) - Den Sorte Skole (Denmark) - DJ Marfox (Portugal) - Dreamers' Circus (Sweden/Denmark) - Driss El Maloumi (Morocco) - Džambo Aguševi Orchestra (FYR Macedonia) - Ed Motta (Brazil) - El Gusto Orchestra (Algeria/France) - Ester Rada (Israel) - Ethiocolor (Ethiopia) - Frank Yamma (Australia) - Geng Wak Long (Malaysia) - Germán Díaz – Método Cardiofónico (Spain) - Gjermund Larsen Trio (Norway) - Greg de Villanova (France) - Guayo Cedeño and Coco Bar (Honduras) - Ilkka Heinonen (Finland) - Isa GT (Colombia/UK) - Kareyce Fotso (Cameroon) - Korrontzi (Spain) - Kuenta i Tambu (Curacao/Netherlands) - La Chiva Gantiva (Colombia/Belgium) - La Yegros (Argentina) - Lleuwen (UK) - Lula Pena (Portugal) - Maarja Nuut (Estonia) - Madeeh (Malaysia) - Mariza (Portugal) - Maru Tarang (India/Australia) - Mayito Rivera and The Sons of Cuba (Cuba) - Noreum Machi (South Korea) - Orkesta Mendoza (USA) - Otava Yo (Russia) - Oum (Morocco/France) - Paolo Angeli (Italy/Spain) - Paulo Flores (Angola) - Raúl Rodríguez – Razón de Son (Spain) - Rebel Up! Soundclash (Belgium/the Netherlands) - Rura (UK) - Sékouba Bambino (Guinea-Conakry/France) - Sertanília (Brazil) Söndörgő (Hungary) - Spiro (UK) - Tarabband (Iraq/Egypt/France/Sweden) - Tribu Baharú (Colombia) Troker (Mexico) - Uxía (Spain) - Vołosi (Poland) - Zoobazar (Spain)
....and a remarkable Galician Opening Concert, curated by Xosé Manuel Budiño http://www.womex.com/programme/showcase_festival
Your WOMEX attendance...
Why Attend?
WOMEX is the best place to meet artists and music people from all over the world. Lennart Wretlind, Sweden, Spotify The important thing about WOMEX is seeing how many people are working for the same cause, encouraging music cultures to get stronger, letting the world know about their existence and richness, which is a mutual encouragement to get on with the work! You really feel you are part of a bigger movement, and your cultural identity counts. Kirill Kuzmin, Tajikistan, Bactria Cultural Centre
Why Attend?
WOMEX is the most important trade show globally and the attending South African emerging artists and independent music companies are enabled to position themselves and showcase their musical products at a festival that has the potential to kick start their careers on an international level.
Renneth Tshisikule, South Africa, IMEXSA My key objective in attending WOMEX was to make international contacts in all aspects of the music business. We wanted to make inroads in the international touring scene and it's the perfect place to do that.
WOMEX delegates told us of 90 of these events per year that they attend...
Different Trade Fairs, Expos, Performing Arts Markets, Showcases & Conferences: Find out about what they do and what they offer you. Is their focus on:
* the live sector, publishing, digital, new technology...? * a specific country, region or genre...?
Purpose of Trade Fairs
* Networking * Relationships
* Trends and Innovations * Business contacts and details (commercial or cultural)
* Education ...and...
Purpose of Trade Fairs
* Creative opportunity * PR opportunities * Confidence and presentation skills * Consensus * Opportunity: for you <> for your potential partners
and Performing Arts Markets * give visibility to our sector presence: cultural / economic / moral
* confirm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and contribute to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; global creative diversity
Focus...
* Plan * Potential * Preparation * Promotion
* Presentation * Participation * Analysis * Follow-up
Photo by Eric van Nieuwland
Plan & Think
Step 1 – Identify your goals This is an investment in time, money & opportunity.
What is your return on investment? * In terms of (just) money?
* In the ‘long-term’, in terms of career or PR? Why are you attending, and what do you want?
Plan & Think
Step 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Analyse your situation Do you have upcoming releases, projects, tours?
Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
Plan & Think
Step 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Analyse the Trade Fair Focus: What is the Trade Fair doing for you?
Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
Plan & Think
Step 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Analyse your network Are you looking for business partners in specific countries or regions? Specific areas of expertise?
Photo by Yannis Psathas
Reality and Research
Don’t be obsessed with having a showcase performance if you aren’t ready, and don’t know the market
It may be a better investment to attend an event to learn, observe, evaluate.....do the research!
Preparation Working schedules: Check deadlines for registration rates, showcase & conference proposals and advertisements Seek additional support: Is there any music export body or other source of funding in your country? Do they provide any opportunities for support? Travel & Accommodation: Book your hotel and flights (need a visa?) Check event website for useful hints and potential discounts
Promotion
Prepare print material, CDs, flyers, brochures, business cards. Be different! But be aware of their excess baggage
Is your website up-to-date? Email address? Contacts? Advertise in the WOMEX Guide / inserts in the delegate bags
Publish your Trade Fair participation on your website, in your newsletter, write a press release and distribute to relevant media and blogs Photo by Yannis Psathas
Promotion Inform your network / press / customers / social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, your own personal blog) Make use of an event's communications channels (e.g. WOMEX's virtualWOMEX platform) Communicate!!
Could you take part in a conference panel? Will you apply for an artist showcase? If so: check deadlines and procedure! Go to the www.womex.com homepage and click on the Take Part tab
Meeting Schedules
Check the 'Who is coming' list on the website or use virtualWOMEX to find potential business partners Match Conference and Networking schedules to fit your meeting timetable Contact people to set up meetings (!send your mobile number!) Send some info about your product / project / company / profile
Meeting Schedules
Make sure you are talking to the right person
Bring small promo packages for different interests / samplers Bring lots of business cards; and make notes on business cards received so that you remember people whom you have met
Don't annoy people by being too pushy Learn to take 'no' for an answer
Input, Context, Consensus Find out:
Visit Conference sessions: hear what is going on in the music industry Take part in Speed-Dating, Matchmaking or Mentoring sessions: meet potential business partners Attend Receptions: meet other delegates in a relaxed atmosphere
Don't miss the Showcases: hear the latest talent and be inspired Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
Why?
Be on time, and respect other people's schedules
Take notes, and take pictures Don't push your material
Take time to browse, and don't forget to eat, drink and get some fresh air Make sure you know the most important vocabulary in
english to present yourself and your project
Follow Up Email follow-up: * Send an email the following week with more detailed info, to summarise the meeting or just to say 'thank you' * Also follow up unsuccessful contacts * Keep promises & follow-up on ideas
Analyse: * What was your direct result? * What is the potential result? * Were there any problems? * Is there room for improvement?
WOMEX Sister Events WOMEX is a production of Piranha Arts AG, which also produces:
AME - Atlantic Music Expo 7 - 9 April 2015 Praia, Republic of Cabo Verde www.atlanticmusicexpo.com
Classical:NEXT 20 - 23 May 2015 Rotterdam, Netherlands www.classicalnext.com
Sound of the Xity
Porto Musical
28 April - 3 May 2015 Beijing, China www.sxity.com
4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 February 2015 Recife, Brazil www.portomusical.com
Contacts Piranha Arts AG Kreuzbergstr. 30 10965 Berlin Germany womex@womex.com www.womex.com www.twitter.com/womex www.facebook.com/worldmusicexpo phone: +49 30 318 614 30 fax: +49 30 318 614 10
Photo by Jacob Crawfurd
Frank Klaffs ceo, Piranha Arts frank.klaffs@piranha-arts.com
WOMEX 15 Hungary 21st edition: 21-25 October 2015
www.womex.com Photo by Jacob Crawfurd, Eric Van Nieuwland & Yannis Psathas