Submitted by DrenalinProductions.biz on behalf of the Association of Music Entrepreneurs Of Barbados
Local musicians and artistes are feeling the impact of the global recession resulting in the shrinking of international bookings and performance revenues. This has come from the newly elected president of The Association Of Music Entrepreneurs, George Thomas. Mr Thomas however believes that AME is well positioned and committed to play an effective role .in helping earn foreign exchange and stimulate economic growth through the export of local music.
Speaking on the heels of their recently held AGM, Thomas indicated that the non profit organisation is finalising plans for a range of initiatives aimed at increasing the promotion and export of local music that will result in Barbadian artistes and music finding new markets overseas. One such planned activity is a trip to The National Association For Campus Activities marketplace (NACA) in February 2011, where the AME expects to showcase the talents of local musical acts to the largest collegiate gathering in the world. NACA is a 50-year-old organisation and the largest campus activities marketplace in North America, where representatives of more than 500 colleges convene annually to book a variety of entertainment acts for their campus entertainment and activities calendars. Next year’s showcase will be held in Missouri, and according to Thomas, provides an unprecedented opportunity for Barbados music export sector to build new markets for local artistes and musicians who have been hard hit and seen a steady and significant decline in revenues even from traditional bread and butter Diaspora markets.
“The combined NACA budget for talent is an impressive US$50 million and we intend to earn as much as we can for Barbados,” says Thomas whose organisation is the umbrella body for entrepreneurs involved in the export of Barbadian music. Thomas further noted, “In light of recent statements by The Minister of Tourism regarding the development of new markets, NACA also provides an excellent opportunity for the promotion of Barbados’ tourism product to the lucrative Spring Break market and we believe the showcasing of local musical talent is a natural vehicle for encouraging visitors from the collegiate market whose decisions are heavily influenced by the entertainment offering of the destination.”
Armed with a strong belief in the quality of local talent, Thomas is confident that the acts chosen by The AME to attend NACA will be able to secure bookings at the event and earn direct foreign exchange for Barbados, as well as establishing valuable contacts and opening the door for the export of additional Barbadian acts in near future. He is therefore appealing to government, private and non governmental sectors to ensure that Barbados is able to capitalise on this initiative which is a first time collaboration between NACA and an international representative of artistes. A focused Thomas said, “The AME is committed and continues to do all it can in order to expose Barbados’ talent to the world of opportunity that NACA offers, and we hope that we will reap success in our efforts to secure the US$70,000 it requires to undertake the mission.”
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