Astoria, NY -- (SBWire) -- 09/03/2010 -- Popkomm is all set to relaunch in 2010. Boasting an innovative location, quality networking opportunities and an open day for the public, as a platform for the industry and all music fans it is now more important than ever before. "This is a rapidly changing industry and we are meeting the challenge with new ideas", said Dr. Ralf Kleinhenz, Managing Director of Popkomm GmbH. "As part of the Berlin Music Week Popkomm now no longer only gathers members of the industry, but networks increasingly with music fans, who after all form the basis of the music industry", Dr. Ralf Kleinhenz added.

The display areas at Popkomm have already been booked up for weeks. At Popkomm more than 400 exhibitors from around 20 countries will above all be aiming to establish and maintain business contacts. Industry enterprises ranging from start-ups to established player such as the majors EMI and Universal Music will be at the event. The Association of the German Music Industry (BVMI), which represents the interests of around 350 labels and music companies, will also be exhibiting at the fair, as will the Association of Independent Sound Media Companies (VUT) and the German Music Publishers' Association (DMV), which represents the interests of more than 500 music publishers throughout Germany. International associations will also be taking part, among them the International Music Managers' Forum (IMMF) and the Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA).

This year numerous companies are presenting business models which will impact the industry's future. They include digital marketing platforms (Finetunes, Zimbalam, Recordjet), an online platform for distributing music (Soundcloud), internet music television (tape.tv), a web network that streams live music at clubs and venues around the world in realtime (Awdio), personalised music television (Putpat), and a portal for reviewing bands (GIGSWIZ).

This year Canada and the Netherlands will occupy the largest national pavilions. Russia, India, South Africa, Estonia and Cameroon are at Popkomm for the first time. India is not only hosting a big lounge at Popkomm but will also make an important contribution music-wise at the Popkomm Showcase Festival. The artist Vasuda Sharma won Music2deal India's internet casting contest and will represent India's wide-ranging spectrum of music at the fair.

At Popkomm 2010 professional networking agents will be on hand for the first time at a specialist music event to make it easier for exhibitors and trade visitors to establish the right contacts. The networking agents will be available throughout the entire event and will organise networking events such as speed meetings, get-togethers and networking receptions.

The Berlin Music Week Conference will also take place for the first time inside the airport gates, where on 8 and 9 September 2010 the focus is on the latest themes and developments in the music and entertainment industry. Speakers include Erik Gilbert, Vice President of Client Strategy of the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), who along with others will discuss "The Future of Labels". In his role as Chairman of the Association of the German Music Industry (BVMI) Prof. Dr. Dieter Gorny will address the issue of "Strategies in Software and Music: are we on the right track?". Jacob Bilabel, founder of the Green Music Initiative, will ask "How green can music become?", and in a lecture series the US singer-songwriter and actor Jill Sobule will talk about "Love & Money - Raising your Fanbase".

This year also witnesses the debut of Popkomm's open day for the public. All music fans will be able to explore the Music City in the entrance hall of Tempelhof Airport. Inside the area where passengers used to wait for their flights, over a period of three days there will be concerts, meet & greets, acoustic sessions, film screenings and lectures. rbb's Radio Eins programme will broadcast live from the stage, the international music film festival IN-EDIT will screen music films and documentaries, and at the Popview photo exhibition young pop photographers will showcase their work. Numerous other companies, organisations and initiatives will be represented with stands and will also be organising activities for the public, including the digital distributor Finetunes, Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, the Berlin Music Commission, the art festival transmediale and the pop-up store 8 ¬O Wochen.

Naturally the focus at Popkomm is on music, which can be heard live on stage at the Popkomm Showcase Festival. On 8 and 9 September 2010, 60 bands and solo artists will perform in front of an international audience at 11 venues on the airport grounds and at neighbouring locations in Kreuzberg. Bands include Cast of Cheers, De Staat, Jesse, Rich Aucoin, Spleen United, The Megaphonic Thrift, Therese Aune and Yes Cadets. The music will also be playing at the C-Club & Chrystal Room, Silverwings, La vie en rose, Wasserturm, SchwuZ, Passionskirche, Privatclub, Ecksteck, Lido and Comet Club. The line-up comprises acts from 20 countries and will represent all music genres. The Popkomm Festival's reputation now extends far beyond the borders of Europe, as evidenced by the presence of a growing number of artists from India, Canada, Australia and the USA. 40 hours of live music are guaranteed - with tickets costing 10 euros!

On 7 September 2010, at the opening event on the eve of Popkomm, the New Music Award will be presented for the first time. This is the successor to the RadioAward for new music, presented in 2008 and 2009. Listeners to the eight ARD radio programmes for young people - MDR SPUTNIK, YOU FM (hr), Fritz (rbb), N-JOY (NDR), on3 (BR), Bremen Vier (Radio Bremen), 103.7 UnserDing (SR) and DASDING (SWR) - were able to cast their votes online and choose four favourites from 16 nominated artists and bands. The nominees had previously competed in a band contest for a place. All four acts will perform on the evening of 7 September to contest the coveted award.

Last but not least, Jazzkomm, a showcase and business platform for musicians and jazz entrepreneurs, will take place at Popkomm for the first time this year. Jazzkomm is aimed at everyone in the jazz music scene, be they large or small, new or established entrepreneurs, insiders' tips or stars of the stage. 40 showcases have confirmed their attendance at Jazzkomm, which also hosts a conference. Starting at midday, artists will perform twenty-minute daytime showcases in front of an expert audience and music fans, among them both newcomers and established artists, at the "Friseur" at Tempelhof Airport. As this is part of the public area at Popkomm admission is free on all three days. In the evenings jazz fans can watch jazz documentaries, jointly selected in cooperation with the UNERHvñRT! Music film festival, and enjoy JAZZKOMM showcases lasting around 45 minutes at the JAZZKOMM film lounge in the frannz Club at the Kulturbrauerei in the Berlin district of Prenzlauer Berg.

Website: http://www.popkomm.de