NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Music Tourism has partnered with Destination Northern Ontario, the Sault Ste Marie Chamber of Commerce, Future Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Fall Festival, Algoma Conservatory of Music, and the Local Immigration Partnership to advance Music City Sault Ste. Marie.
“Music can be a strong motivator for travelling to a destination. With this in mind, Destination Northern Ontario was eager to work with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of commerce and its partners to lay the groundwork to establish Sault Ste. Marie as a ‘Music City’. We are excited to witness this important project unfold,” said Marty Kalagian, chairman of Destination Northern Ontario.
A Music City is a community of any size with a vibrant music economy. Beginning with artists and musicians, Music Cities are home to a broad range of professionals who support artist entrepreneurs in their career development. They contain spaces for education, rehearsal, recording and performance, and foster a live and online music scene with an engaged and passionate audience that provides artists with a fertile ground for developing their craft.
“We are thrilled to partner with Destination Northern Ontario and stakeholders in Sault Ste. Marie to initiate the development of music city and music tourism strategies. There are incredible and inspiring things already happening here and supported by a strong level of support from industry and tourism, which is crucial,” said Chris Campbell, project manager at Music Tourism.
Building on the initial launch of the Music City concept last November, this next phase launches with a music industry assessment survey and music industry stakeholder interviews. During this phase as well, the Music City leadership team will be coordinating the development of the Sault Ste. Marie Music Industry Task Force, which will ultimately collaborate to develop a future music city strategy as part of the City of Sault Ste. Marie Cultural Plan.
“A vibrant music economy drives value for cities in several important ways: job creation, economic growth, tourism development, city brand building and artistic growth. A strong music community has also been proven to attract other industrial investment, along with talented young workers who put a high value on quality of life, no matter their profession. This will be a critical component of the recovery of our local economy post COVID-19,” stated Rory Ring, CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber Of Commerce.
While the current COVID-19 crisis can’t be understated, this moment does underscore the incredible importance of artists, creators and cultural industries in a city. It should be clear now, more than ever, that we need to do more to protect and enhance the music and culture sectors. As an entire industry came to a halt, artists and creators have shown incredible resilience, innovation and dedication to their craft and inspired us all globally.
Chris Campbell, an inventive, collaborative and self-motivated music and tourism industry professional with decades of experience established Music Tourism to work with aspiring music cities and private sector industry partners. “It’s time to reach out, listen to the sector and work towards a strategy to enhance future tourism potential and sector recovery - this is all about building a strong future,” said Campbell, principal consultant at Music Tourism.
“The Algoma Conservatory of Music is completing it’s one of a kind recording and performance venue that will make Sault Ste. Marie a destination for artists, students and performers across North America. Music City gives us the opportunity to bring a hyper focus and global exposure to what Sault Ste. Marie has to offer this dynamic industry,” Grieg Nori, Artist, producer and general manager of the Algoma Conservatory of Music.
The Music City Industry Survey will be distributed directly to those participant’s in the industry by email and by invitation to participate. Should you wish to be a part of the Music City survey, contact Rory Ring at the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, [email protected] , call or text 705-255-4361
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