Held in Frankfurt, Musikmesse it's the perfect event not only to have a general vision of the situation of the industry but also to make contacts, show your talent and enjoy a big variety of instruments and music genres. You shouldn't miss this trade fair if you want to make business while you attend concerts and other interesting meetings.
Tell us, why Musikmesse is different from other similar shows?
The aim of Musikmesse is to present a broad spectrum of the international music industry at the same time and place, and this is what distinguishes it from smaller, regional shows or fairs that are limited to certain product segments. Moreover, we want Musikmesse to appeal not only to the trade from all over the world but also to musicians of all abilities. We achieve this by holding numerous special events for retailers and distributors, as well as an attractive complementary programme of events with lots of highlights.
This event allows all the attendees and exhibitors to discover new products, innovations and music styles.What's the actual situation in the music industry? New generations are changing all the concepts in some aspects...
In common with many other industries, the musical-instrument sector is greatly influenced by the process of digital change. For companies in the sector, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Today, musical instruments compete with a host of digital leisure activities, and competing is a big task for retailers and manufacturers. On the other hand, online services, such as tutorials and music platforms, make it easier to give consumers help in learning an instrument or to make musical works available to a wider audience. Additionally, technical progress is opening up new markets, for example, through hybrid instruments that bring the feeling of the analogue world together with the flexibility of digital sound production.
What can you highlight from this 2017 edition? What is going to be the novelties?
We are delighted that several renowned brands, which did not exhibit at Musikmesse last year or even for several years, have decided to return in 2017. They include, for example, Ibanez, Tama, Sonor, Remo and others, some of which will be presenting their new product series for the first time at the fair. There are many novelties in the complementary programme of events: the Drums and Guitar Brand Worlds unify product presentation, instruction and performances by first-class artists. The ‘Beck’s Wood and Brass Stage’ will be the setting for appearances by well-known bands from the world of traditional and modern woodwind and brass music. And, in the Sound & Recording Lounge, successful producers will give tips about sound enhancement and studio equipment. With these and other highlights, we aim to provide individual events for the various musical communities.
Whether you're an artist or a businessman inside the music's industry, Musikmesse it's a perfect opportunity to discover new trends, products, make contacts and show your talent as a demonstration of your brand. Held in Frankfurt, this trade fair offers a really assorted vision of the situation of the sector.
What weight do you think that music industry has in economic terms?
If we look at revenues from the sale of musical instruments in isolation, we see that they are highly dependent on the propensity to purchase. And this differs greatly from market to market. Accordingly, it is impossible to make any general statements. Last year, sales in this market segment in Germany amounted to around a billion euros. However, the value chain does not end with the purchase of a musical instrument. According to a study published last year on the economic significance of music companies, which includes segments such as music publishers, labels, sound studios, music academies, performing-rights companies and musical events, total sales in Germany amounted to over € 11 billion.
Is there a consumer profile depending on the type of the instrument?
Naturally, there is no shortage of clichés to draw on. For example, the athletic and extroverted drummer, the shy bassist and the intellectual violinist. The fact is, however, that the musicians using the instruments are no less varied than the ways the instruments can be used. And this applies equally to their character and consumer behaviour.
Unlike other sectors, in a music's industry trade show it's difficult to know how to improve your profit or increase the attendees in your stand. Could you give us some tips to take advantage of participation as an exhibitor?
Musikmesse gives exhibitors a wide range of opportunities for presenting their brands and products to visitors from the different musical communities. For example, they can take part in the Musikmesse programme of workshops and concerts with their endorsers and thus strengthen the emotional ties to their brand. Additionally, they can participate in the Musikmesse Matchmaking programme, which brings exhibitors together with the visitor target groups relevant to them. Companies more interested in reaching retailers and distributors can book a booth in the ‘Business Area & Full Range Companies’ segment, which offers an optimum setting for business discussions in a peaceful atmosphere. With target-group specific contact areas and forms of presentation, we help exhibitors get the most out of their time at the fair.
What represents Musikmesse for the annual calendar of the industry? What does the event do in order to support it?
Musikmesse is by far Europe’s biggest fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections. At the same time, it is much more than just a product show. For example, there is the ‘Business Academy’ lecture programme that helps retailers and distributors orient their business model towards the latest trends and challenges in the sector, and to get fit for the future. With the ‘Business Area & Full-range Companies’ segment mentioned before, the fair offers a separate hall aimed exclusively at trade visitors and thus underscores its commitment to the international musical-instrument trade.
Helping and supporting young people is also an important subject at Musikmesse. Thus, newcomers to music making have the chance to try out a variety of instruments at the new ‘Discover Music’ area. This is rounded off by an extensive range of workshops and master classes. For us, it is important to generate and consolidate enthusiasm for active music making because the more people who want to take up an instrument, the better the outlook will be for the sector.
Give us some reasons to attend
- huge variety of new musical products and, moreover
- direct contact with decision makers
- networking and business
- gain inspiration for making sales
- obtain tips on sophisticated playing techniques from professionals or simply take delight in an attractive programme of events
And in the evening, after the exhibition halls have closed, there is also a lot to discover in Frankfurt: the Musikmesse Festival, which made its successful debut last year, is being continued this year and will present numerous concerts in the clubs and venues throughout downtown Frankfurt.
Finally, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
Together with the concurrent Prolight + Sound, International Fair of Technologies and Services for Entertainment, Integrated Systems and Creation, Musikmesse attracted some 100,000 visitors from around 130 countries. A total of 2,000 exhibitors made presentations at the two fairs in Frankfurt am Main.
