Music industry professionals from across the OECS will converge in Saint Lucia for a five-day series of Developmental Workshops hosted by the Saint Lucia Coalition of Service Industries (SLCSI). The series is the OECS leg of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Music Education Project, aimed at developing the capacity of industry professionals in the region and equipping them to enter international markets. The workshop series has been endorsed by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), Export Saint Lucia, and ECCO.

From Nov. 1 – 30, the Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, and the SLCSI, is pleased to roll out this capacity building series as its main activity for the month-long Saint Lucia Business Month observance. Participants will benefit from presentations by professionals from the Caribbean and United Kingdom, on topics such as Women in Business, Accessing International Markets, Negotiating Contracts and The Business of Music.

More than 45 musicians, producers, writers and managers have since registered for the workshops and eagerly await the chance to learn from the experts and take advantage of this unique networking opportunity. Participants were required to complete the Business of Music Online program as a foundation to the developmental workshops. Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC) in 2017 launched the Business of Music online course which targeted musicians, producers, managers and writers. This program was piloted by the SLCSI with support from Export Saint Lucia.

The impressive lineup of presenters include Vivian Barclay, Chris Cooke, Jeremy Harding and Carla Paris.

The workshop series has been endorsed by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), Export Saint Lucia, and ECCO, and will take place at the Coco Creole conference center from November 26 – 30, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Persons interested in pursuing the Business of Music online course can register @ http://bomcaribbean.com/.

The SLCSI is a national umbrella body representing the services sector in Saint Lucia. It is a membership-based organization which functions as a focal point to lobby, channel and address trade in services issues which are critical for the sector to thrive in the competitive global environment.