Despite an economic malaise and a music industry in turmoil, Neill Dixon pulled off a record attendance at the CMW events this year, proving that savvy marketing and big balls can indeed create miracles.
“Surprisingly to everyone, numbers are slightly up over last year,” Dixon says. “There were close to 1708 delegates (Radio and Records, agents, promoters, venues etc) compared to 1699 last year, and another 3000 musicians that also had limited access to the convention. There were close to 600 bands performing in the festival compared with 500 last year. The festival was expanded from three days to five this year and business was at capacity in most venues.”
Dixon admits he is “surprised” and “amazed” at just how successful CMW proved to be this year. “We were all biting of fingernails up to a week before the show” and then at the last minute the walk-up audience materialized.
He says a decision was made prior to the financial meltdown to expand the events and not to down size: “In fact we increased it before the recession became obvious last summer and it was a huge gamble! As everyone said this was the year to cut back.”
