London calling world delegates.

London Calling event looks to establish firmer international credentials

London Calling will this year welcome substantial delegations from China, Nigeria and the Caribbean, as it looks to firmly establish its international credentials.

China, country of honour at Midem 2008, will have a country stand at the event, which takes place at the Brompton Hall in Earls Court in London on June 19 and 20, and will bring 30-40 delegates as well as three or four bands for live showcases.

Nigeria will have a 54m2 pavilion and will bring representatives from more than 30 companies, as well as four bands for showcases, while a pan-Caribbean delegation will include representatives from countries including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada and Barbados, as well as four bands. Each area will also host receptions, where attendees will be able to meet with senior representatives from their respective music industries.

In total London Calling expects representatives from more than 45 countries, including delegations from the USA, Brazil, Ireland, Hungary and Russia.

"One reason we set up London Calling was from an international perspective," says London Calling international manager Becky Ayres. "With a lot of international countries they felt that the UK was a really important market for them and they felt it was difficult to do business there.

"For London Calling we put a lot of focus on networking events; we have drinks receptions and speed-dating. For a region like Nigeria, they would have got a bit lost at Midem. At London Calling it is smaller and more focussed.