The 3rd Annual Caribbean Music Expo which was staged in Ocho Rios Jamaica from March 20 to 24, 2002 is being hailed as a major success and has received massive positive media coverage throughout the Caribbean as well as internationally.

The conferences at the annual music expo were taken to another level this year with the convening of a special session on music and media. For this session, presentations were made by Dr. Vanus James of the UNDP, Dr. Rosalea Hamilton of the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Jamaica Trade Adjustment Team, Cordel Green, Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, Josanne Leonard of CME and New Media Limited and Dr. Hopeton Dunn of the University of the West Indies.

 CME and Shocking Vibes director Clyde McKenzie was moderator. This session considered the role of media in the development of the entertainment sector and explored strategies for collaboration and cooperation between media and entertainment entities. As a follow up to the music and media session, UNESCO commissioned a report for publication and circulation in the region.

A number of very significant points were made during the conferences. Keynote speaker and president of Tommy Boy Records Tom Silverman generated a lot of positive reactions in his call for a Pan-Caribbean music chart covering all genres of music from the French, Spanish, English and Dutch territories.

 Mr. Silverman noted that a regional music chart including the best Reggae, Salsa, Merengue, Soca, and Zouk recordings would attract very serious attention from the mainstream music markets of North America and Europe.

Top international recording artiste Shaggy was present at the CME Awards Dinner at which Mr. Silverman spoke. In accepting the CME 2002 Award for Excellence Shaggy paid tribute to his manager Robert Livingston and the members of his Big Yard/MCA label. He also congratulated the CME organizers for their foresight and vision in deciding to stage the annual music expo. Jamaican actor, songwriter and recording artiste Jimmy Cliff was also presented with the Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement Award.

 Over two hundred performers from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Barbados, and the U.S.A. participated in CME 2002. Concert showcases were held at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Hotel, The Little Pub Complex, The Ruins and Chris Blackwell's new Island Village Amphitheatre.

Carlos Manuel of Cuba, Lakol of Haiti, Sheldon Blackman and the Love Circle and Renee Castle of Trinidad and Tobago, Courage Band from the Bahamas, Rayvon from Barbados and Jamaican acts Abijah, Wayne Marshall, Bounti Killa and Rik Rok rendered excellent live presentations. Also appearing were newcomers Nadz and Marcus I, who are two of the four winners from the CME 2002 Star Search contest.

In excess of six hundred delegates from the Caribbean, North America and Europe registered for CME 2002. Participants included performers, music producers, managers, entertainment attorneys, concert and festival promoters, regional and international distributors and labels, online music and digital audio experts, web developers, radio, television and print media representatives, and copyright collection agencies.

During CME 2002, members of the Caribbean Copyright Link (CCL) representing Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and St. Lucia got together for discussions with representatives of the world governing body CISAC, the PRS and ASCAP in furtherance of the initiative to establish a regional support centre for music copyright administration. Several top music executives from major and independent labels in the USA and Europe also attended the Expo.

As a part of the CME 2002 activities the Women in Film project and International Reggae Day 2002 were also launched.

The organizers of the Expo will present for TV and Internet broadcast a number of music business educational programmes, which will feature excerpts from the 2002 conferences and workshops.

To participate in CME 2002, click here

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