By MIC Coalition
The MIC Coalition, a broad-based group of associations representing millions of restaurants, bars, hotels, wineries, breweries, local radio and television broadcasters, digital music services, retailers and other venues that bring music to consumers, announced the addition of three major organizations representing the exhibition and events industry.
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and 
Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) join the MIC Coalition’s robust membership, representing the trade show, meeting and event industry in the Coalition’s shared mission to create a more sustainable and transparent music licensing system to drive the future of music. IAVM is proud to be a member of the Coalition.
The expansion of MIC’s membership comes on the heels of a public workshop hosted by the Department of Justice which explored the importance of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. During the workshop, voices representing the U.S. hospitality industry and events and meeting industry were largely underrepresented. As these industries continue to experience financial strain as a result of the current outbreak of COVID-19, IAEE, MPI and SISO are dedicated to ensuring the voices of their members are heard by policymakers and regulators in Washington.
The new Coalition members commented:
“For decades, trade shows around the world have been instrumental to building brands, forging partnerships, providing education and so much more. Securing music licenses is a key process in making these events successful. As our industry begins to rebuild, we look forward to working with the MIC Coalition and bringing the stories of our members to policymakers and regulators. Now, more than ever, it is critical our members are protected from anticompetitive practices to ensure a fair and transparent music licensing ecosystem,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, President and CEO, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
“The meetings and events industry has been devastated by recent cancellations of conferences, sporting events, and large gatherings. As our community prepares to host events again, once it is safe to do so, it is critical that they retain the ability to play music and pay for music licenses. Modification or termination of the existing structure will only act to undermine and further delay the progress that has been made towards creating a fair and transparent music licensing system. This system is critical to keeping our industry strong and we look forward to working with the MIC Coalition to ensure members like ours are given the same pro-competitive protections that have been provided for decades,” said Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
“Our members, who include companies, corporations and other for-profit entities that own, produce or provide full-service management of ‘face to face’ trade shows, consumer shows, expositions, conferences and similar events rely on music to make their events positive, well-rounded experiences for attendees. While the music licensing system is not perfect, we look forward to joining MIC Coalition in making the ecosystem a place where SISO’s members are able to secure licenses in a fair way,” said David Audrain, Executive Director, Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
