BERLIN (Messe Berlin GmbH) - More Than 800 Exhibitors for the First Time, from All over the World - Congress Panels with Outstanding Participants - over 2,000 Performers Playing in Berlin Clubs During the Popkomm Festival.
For the first time the exhibitor total has passed the 800 mark, and they are coming from 48 countries to Popkomm, which opens next Wednesday in Berlin. More than 15,000 trade visitors from all over the world are expected to attend, artists and music managers, promoters and publishers, as well as many experts from sectors with a particular affinity to the music industry. Popkomm is being opened by Minister of State for the Arts Bernd Neumann.
The first of the keynote addresses at the congress will be given by Feargal Sharkey, formerly the singer with the Undertones and currently chairman of the UK's Live Music Forum, who will be speaking on the subject of the Creative Industries. Eleven companies from eight countries will be competing for the top prizes in the finale of the third Popkomm-IMEA - Innovation in Music & Entertainment Award. The three-day Popkomm Music Festival will begin on Wednesday evening in 30 Berlin clubs, and will feature performances by over 2,000 artists from 27 countries.
The number of national stands has now risen to 26
Popkomm 2006 is more international than ever. A total of 26 national stands have been registered, four more than at last year's event. The countries involved include Australia, Brazil and Canada, as well as many European countries. Music export offices and labels from Eastern and South Eastern Europe are particularly strongly represented, and Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Croatia, Scotland and Slovenia are attending the Berlin Popkomm for the first time.
"The strong international presence has long been a characteristic feature of Popkomm", according to Dr. Ralf Kleinhenz, General Manager of Popkomm GmbH. "Over seventy per cent of its 817 exhibitors come from abroad. It seems that industry representatives from all over the world have circled this date on their calendars. This is also evident at the congress and the showcases at the music festival."
Partner country Brazil presents its musical diversity
Following on from France and Spain in previous years, the partner country at this year's Popkomm is Brazil. The first partner country from outside Europe is occupying all of Hall 16, where it is emphasising its standing as a rapidly developing music market with many diverse aspects. Many promising newcomers from this South American music nation are helping to set the tone for the Popkomm Festival too.
Major companies such as Warner Music Group and Universal Music are also being joined in Berlin this year by Sony BMG. Universal Music and Sony BMG are giving an even more international emphasis to their presence at Popkomm. Warner Music is continuing its successful concept of inviting dealers and marketing partners to attend the presentations at Popkomm. The majority of exhibitors at Popkomm consist of small and medium-sized companies, for whom international networks are especially vital. For example, representatives of the indies can be found on many of the national stands as well as at the "Label Camp". This section of the exhibition provides a space for displays by small firms, helping them to gain a foothold on the market and there has again been increased demand for space at the "Label Camp" this year.
Expansion of the live sector and online music distributors
The live sector at Popkomm is still expanding, with even more exhibitors from this field in the exhibition halls this year. Platforms include not only the combined stand of the National Association of the German Events Industry but also that of the Intro Festival Camp. The live music sector will be among the main themes of the Popkomm Congress.
Yet another trend at Popkomm 2006: online and mobile music distributors are more strongly represented than in previous years. For example, this year Yahoo Music, mp3.de and net mobile are joined by Jamba Music.
Creative Industries one of the main themes of the Congress
The three-fold concept that was successfully introduced in 2004, comprising a trade fair, congress and festival, has been retained. The main themes of this year's Congress are Pop & Politics, Marketing, Live, Mobile Music and Prospects for Artists. In addition to Feargal Sharkey the other keynote speakers are Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture of the Popkomm partner country Brazil, and Lou Pearlman, producer and successful creator of boy bands.
Popkomm has made the subject of "Creative Industries" a focal point on the agenda of its congress. "In many countries the subject of Creative Industries has been a feature of cultural and economic policy for many years. We regard it as one of the main objectives of Popkomm, to include this subject on the agenda in this country too", explains Katja Bittner, the Director of Popkomm. A number of panel discussions will be taking place on this highly topical subject, attracting some outstanding participants, including the Official Representative for Creative Industries of the French Minister of Culture.
One of the new features of the congress consists of reviews of specific countries, focussing on Brazil, Japan, China and Russia. We have also observed a great deal of interest in markets in Eastern Europe.
World's largest platform for professional showcases
There were some 2,500 submissions, more than ever before, from more than 30 countries for the Popkomm Music Festival. Some 2,000 artists from all over the world will be appearing at the 30 festival clubs to the delight of international music experts and the Berlin public. Today the Popkomm Festival is the world's largest platform for professional showcases. This year's festival programme again includes a combination of music and literature, "Word up!" The Popkomm Music Festival will reach its climax on 23 September with the Berlin Clubcommission's Club Night.
