A reminder to all current members of the Association: 2009 memberships will expire on December 31st, 2009. You must renew your membership in 2010 if you wish to reserve a booth at the MIAC 2010 Show. You must also renew your membership if you wish to qualify for benefits including the Montreal MIAC express, dealer appreciation, or travel savings programs. Watch for your 2010 membership renewal invoice to arrive by email in early January. Retailers and dealers may register at http://www.miac.net/retailersignup.php while manufacturers and distributors may register at http://miac.net/memberform.php.

At the Music Industries Association of Canada, we've been taking every measure necessary to make the upcoming MIAC 2010 show one of our best. When you read about what we have in store, it becomes easy to see why we're confident that you'll enjoy one of your most productive and enjoyable Canadian trade show experiences yet.

Location, Location, Location: three of the most important characteristics of trade show success. As you may already know, the MIAC 2010 Show is moving to downtown Toronto. What you may not have considered is the positive effect that this will have on trade show commerce. The host facility, The Direct Energy Centre, is still just a stone's throw from Pearson International Airport and Toronto's major arteries making it practical and convenient. Furthermore, it puts the show within arm's reach of one of the world's most vibrant cities and is only moments from the Toronto Island Airport. For exhibitors and attendees alike, this is a new opportunity to make the trip to Toronto for MIAC 2010 an exciting and memorable one. As a consequence, we anticipate that exhibitor and attendee participation will rise considerably having introduced this drastic and much needed change of scenery and pace.

The Facility

The Direct Energy Centre, formerly known as the National Trade Centre, is the largest, most technologically advanced, and most energy efficient exhibition facility in Canada. Boasting over 1 million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, the opportunities for expansion are limitless. For this reason alone, The Direct Energy Centre will enable the growth and diversification of the MIAC Show. However, the benefits of this state of the art complex extend well beyond it immense size. With clear signage, integrated conference and event facilities, and award winning architecture, this new facility is a joy for both attendees and exhibitors. Exhibitors will enjoy a larger and more accommodating loading area, larger bay doors, and unobstructed access to power, water, gas, compressed air, and communication ports. Visitors will enjoy the convenience of seminars and meetings that are easier to find and easier to enjoy in the Centre's finely appointed salons. Altogether, this new building will create a solid foundation for a viable and enduring tradeshow series.

The move to the greater Toronto area meant finding new lodgings for our attendees and exhibitors and we're excited to announce that our new host hotel is the four diamond Toronto Sheraton Centre. Over looking Toronto's City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, the Sheraton Centre is located at the heart of the city's finest amenities. Each of the hotel's 1,377 guest rooms have undergone a bold transformation, presenting an urbane yet comfortable way to spend the night in the centre of Toronto's most exciting district. The hotel also has an impressive list of features including a spa, massage clinic, a two-story waterfall and surrounding gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub and sauna, a fitness centre, a club and lounge, and a full service business centre. The Sheraton Centre Toronto is connected to the PATH, a 16-mile underground network of shops and services and is steps from the Eaton Centre Shopping Mall.

The Sheraton Centre Toronto is offering an “EARLY BIRD SPECIAL”, for all rooms booked no later than MARCH 15, 2010

With a wounded economy and diminishing sales, many of us feared the worst at the MIAC 2009 Show. However, it is important to consider that even in the worst of times the Music Products and Professional A/V industries of Canada stood unwavering.

Patiently awaiting the verdict from our many exhibitors and attendees as post-show orders and shipments were filled, we're thrilled to have received highly positive reviews from across the board. For many, the 2009 trade show was an incredible success proving once again that trade shows and face-to-face transactions are the best way to do business.

Readers of MMR and Music Trades Magazine have already recognized the resilience of the Canadian Market Place demonstrated by the 2009 trade show. Filled with commentary from both new and longstanding MIAC and PAL contenders, the show reports were filled with praise over a bustling, productive, and otherwise well executed exhibition. While we cannot deny that show floor traffic had suffered a hit, there were many who welcomed the temperate atmosphere. Our efforts to qualify attendees meant that a predominant number of powerful prospects entered the show and exhibitors were pleased to have the extra time and resources to devote to this smaller yet focussed audience.

Since the 2009 show, the economic recovery has hastened and as buyer confidence rebuilds, many have conceded that the we're on the back end of the recession. While few care to place a wager on the precise end of the downturn, everyone is banking on an excellent show in 2010. Attendees and exhibitors have received the news of the show's move with overwhelming plaudit and, as the market regains its momentum, their anticipation and continued involvement will be rewarded. Many feel that their companies are in much better shape than they were six months ago and foresee stronger opportunities in the first quarter of 2010 and beyond.

For the first time in the Association's history, a retail dealer has assumed the position of MIAC chairman. Mr. Julio Cotellesso of Steve's Music Store brings with him over 40 years of industry-specific experience. Approaching the Association from the retailer/dealer perspective, his intentions are noble and promise a new direction in the Music Industries Association of Canada's services.

For many years MIAC has touted an array of "membership services" and, to this day, the trade show has been the only appreciable benefit. Under the guidance of Mr. Cotellesso who recognizes the need for more retailer/dealer oriented operations, his term as chairman will usher in stronger industry resources and services seated in a thorough understanding of the micro and macro economics that define the Canadian Music Products and Pro A/V industries.

In the way that InfoComm, NAMM, NAB, and other exemplary organizations have become a year round body of invaluable information, MIAC aspires to achieve a similar distinction. In the coming years, MIAC will make a concerted effort to deliver reports that address pertinent economic information along with a compilation of helpful strategies geared toward the Canadian retailer including strategies for store, staff, and inventory management, tools and tips for marketing, and access to the latest product & service information.

While the Music Industries Association of Canada has been hosting an annual trade show for 38 consecutive years, the services the organization offers the other 363 days of the year are in their infancy. We anticipate that Mr. Cotellesso's insights will mark the beginning of many changes designed to enhance the benefits of MIAC membership. For decades, the MIAC name has been synonymous with our trade show; it is time to make the tradeshow just one of the many services synonymous with our name.

We are pleased to announce the inauguration of the Music Industries Association of Canada Excellence Awards (MEA). This awards program was designed to stimulate the growth and diversification of the Canadian Music Products Industry along with the Professional Audio, Video, and Lighting Industries by recognizing those who have made an outstanding effort to better serve the Canadian Market. There are many involved in this community who for years have exceeded the expectations of their loyal patrons and it is time that we pay homage to their efforts.

The awards are specifically intended to uphold both suppliers/manufacturers and retailers/dealers who have stood a cut above the rest in terms of their goods, services, and supporting operations. The manufacturer/supplier categories will include outstanding training, customer support, and corporate representation while the dealer categories will include market development, best use of new media, and promotional events. The final category is open to nominees of either cast and will be presented to the individual or organization who has demonstrated an exemplary level of innovation in the past year.

The awards will be presented at the upcoming tradeshow on May 16 & 17, 2010. While the details have not been finalized, there will be a presentation ceremony where recipients will appear before their peers. We hope that others can learn from the strong precedent that the recipients set and that it will lead to a healthier and sustainable Canadian market.

If there is a supplier or dealer who you feel has made an outstanding effort in one or more of these areas, visit www.miac.net to learn more about the MEA Awards Program. Online ballots will open on February 1st, 2010 and voting will conclude in April of 2010 (further details will be posted as they become available).