(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Veteran UK artist manager and IMMF Chairman Peter Jenner has been elected Chairman of the European Live Music Forum (ELMF), a new organization launched by sixteen national and international associations from the European live music community.
The associations include Conamus (NL), Concert Promoters Association CPA, European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals EFWMF, Festivaldanmark.dk, FHP Festival (SE), International Festivals & Events Europe IFEA, International Music Managers Forum IMMF, Music Managers Forum France, Music Managers Forum Germany, National Arena Association, Network Europe, Swiss Music Export SME, The Agents Association, The German Association of the Promotions Industry IDKV, Verband der Deutschen Konzertdirektionen VDKD and Yourope.
Joining Peter Jenner in the executive of the board is vice chairman Hans Hjorth and Christof Huber, Secretary.
The rest of the board includes Tapio Korjus, Bob James, Bernard Batzen, Peter Smidt and Jens Michow.
The ELMF has been founded to unite the European live music communities in order to increase the recognition of this specific sector within the EU and to build a continuous dialogue with EU decision makers.
The primary aims of the ELMF are as follows:
- To encourage the development of a single market within Europe for the live music industries through lobbying in Brussels and in all member states, to provide a bigger more efficient, more competitive market for European touring performers.
- To become recognized by the EU commission as a 'speaking partner' for the live music community within Europe, in order to encourage its development as part of both the cultural and economic life of the Union.
- To encourage the awareness within the Union of the industry as an economic force, in terms of its economic output, its contribution to employment, as well as its ability to help unify Europe through its expressions of the richness and diversity of its cultures.
- To demonstrate live music's value to the social, economic and personal welfare of the peoples within Europe.
Specific issues that the ELMF aim to address include:
- Single Market issues in the EU/EEA, and the removal of formal and informal barriers within the EU/EEA, e g the various practices related to withholding taxes, VAT etc.
- Health and Safety issues such as noise limitations and associated problems, security and safety issues including insurance practices, the use and training of volunteers etc.
- Mobility issues, particularly visas and work permits, both for non-European resident artists coming into the EU and for open market access to non European markets for EU/EEA based artists
- Research and Education issues including pulling together existing research from individual sources and presenting them as a coherent overall picture in addition to spreading best practices and experiences within the community.
Peter Jenner, inaugural Chairman of the ELMF, said, “It is vital that the European live music community comes together and presents a united front to address the many issues facing artists, managers, agents and promoters in these changing times. The ELMF will be a powerful forum for exchanging ideas, lobbying for change and improvements and for bringing together the many, diverse views and concerns of our members.”
While the ELMF will be working with an elected board, they have encouraged input from anyone who can contribute to the overall aims of the organization and are committed to forming working groups to concentrate on areas of specific interest. The group have an open door policy to any organizations or associations that may wish to become members of the ELMF and will be actively seeking sponsorship opportunities from interested parties. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
