CAAMA International Marketplace
Embedded within the NXNE Conference, the International Marketplace serves dual purposes:
- 1) as an international Trade Centre, providing key services to international delegates
- 2) as a physical space and networking hub to meet with others from across Canada and around the world.
CAAMA members and NXNE delegates can participate in a series of targeted business-to-business meetings through the International Marketplace at NXNE.
The meeting place for International and Canadian delegates looking to do business with each other.
The International Marketplace (IMP) at NXNE organizes incoming buyer mission and creates opportunities for CAAMA members and export-ready Canadian artist entrepreneurs to do business with the rest of the world, while building new bridges for trade.
Connect with International Delegates and Incoming Trade Missions – either onsite at NXNE or virtually via various sessions during the year.
CAAMA has opened many new markets for Canadian artists and industry. International outreach is the cornerstone to the overall success of developing new opportunities for CAAMA members and the Canadian industry at large. CAAMA works to identify and introduce international industry leaders and leading talent buyers has played an undeniable part in the long-term success of many Canadian-owned independents and artist entrepreneurs.
China’s first-ever music mission was to CAAMA’s International Marketplace at CMW more than a decade ago, with India in 2010, South East Asia and Singapore in 2011, Latin America, Spain and Portugal in 2012, Japan in 2013, Brazil and Germany in 2014, France and Italy in 207, and Mexico in 2018. South Africa brought its first-ever music mission to go anywhere, to the International Marketplace in 2019; 2021 saw participants from Poland, Singapore, Jamaica, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan – amongst others, with a Spotlight on the Netherlands and a 2022 Spotlight on Poland and Japan. The 2023 Spotlight was on the African continent and initiated a bridge-building effort with other organizations such as the pan-African Africa Music Rising Conference in South Africa. The 2024 Spotlight was on India. The 2026 Spotlight is on the European Union, LATM and the United Kingdom.
2026 Spotlight son the United Kingdom, European Union and Latin America Music Markets
CAAMA’s Spotlight Countries for 2026 were the United Kingdom, European Union countries and the Latin American music markets (LATM).
The United Kingdom and the European Union are top growth markets for the music industry due to the continued dominance of streaming, a strong demand for live music and physical formats such as vinyl, and a strong environment for music exports. Targeted territories include Germany and France.
Key elements include the dominance of streaming: Streaming remains the primary driver of growth, with revenues surpassing £1 billion for the first time in 2024. Paid subscriptions were the primary driver of growth, with several platforms raising prices to increase overall revenue. While streaming continues to dominate, physical formats remain a key source of revenue, driven by fan engagement. Vinyl sales continued a multi-year resurgence, with revenue increasing by 2.9 percent in 2024. This growth is driven by new releases from major artists like Taylor Swift and Coldplay, appealing to a broad range of fans, especially younger generations who perceive them as collectible, premium products; The drop in CD sales has stabilized in recent years, with new releases also proving successful on this format. The live music sector enjoyed tremendous growth, with a record 23.5 million “music tourists” attending UK performances in 2024, an increase of 23% from the previous Year. Major tours by global artists such as Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen played a vital role in driving economic figures and overall GVA (Gross Value Added) for the industry; Significant Export Strength: The United Kingdom remains one of just three global net exporters of music, ranking second-largest exporter of recorded music after the USA. Export revenues hit a new high of £4.8 billion in 2024, reflecting the global appeal of British artists and music professionals; Supportive Policy Environment and Investment: The industry benefits from a supportive policy environment and substantial investment from record labels in Artist & Repertoire (A&R), marketing, and promotion, which help foster and promote diverse talent. Industry associations consistently push for a “gold-standard copyright framework” and government support to preserve this expansion in the face of global competition; Cultural Influence: The United Kingdom has a rich musical heritage and a capacity for innovation which gives its music a top influence globally, generating continued demand.
Why the European Union?
The EU recorded music market is a global powerhouse, generating €5.7 billion in revenues in 2024, making it the second-largest market after the US. Its year-on-year growth rate of 9.1% in 2024 was a key highlight, outpacing the growth rates of the US, China, and Brazil combined in absolute terms. In 2024, the EU accounted for 20.7 percent of the world’s recorded music income, with €5.7 billion. The main driver is streaming, thanks to Spotify, Deezer and YouTube recent price increases from Spotify, Deezer and YouTube, paid subscription platforms accounted for 77.4% of the EU’s growth.
France, Germany, and the UK routinely place in the top ten.
Europe’s Favourable Regulatory and Investment Infrastructure
The music industry ecosystem is supported by a regulatory infrastructure which prioritizes copyright protection and license agreements. Record companies also invest in Artist & Repertoire (A&R) and marketing (€7.5 billion globally in 2024), to help develop local talent and propel them to global stages. Industry bodies actively collaborate with policymakers to foster a creativity and innovation.
Germany is the World’s 4th Largest Music Market
Germany’s recorded music industry generated €2.38 Billion (around $2.58 Billion USD) in revenue for 2024, indicating a 7.8 percent growth as compared to 2024; Germany maintains its position as the world’s fourth-largest music market, behind the United States., Japan, and the United Kingdom, with digital streaming driving the lion’s share of growth. The nation has a thriving hip hop scene in addition to a lengthy history of electronic and classical music. It is home to the Reeperbahn Festival, one of the world’s most important music trade conferences and festivals.
France Ranks as the 6th Most Important Music Market Worldwide.
According to IFPI, Music Business Worldwide and Omdia, France’s recorded music industry hit €1.03 in 2024, marking its eighth year of growth and crossing the €1 Billion mark for the first time since 2005, driven by streaming and booming exports. IIFPI ranks it the 6th largest music market globally. SNEP (Syndicat national de l’édition phonographique) – the main French trade association for the recorded music industry – reports 432 million ($490 million) or 3.4 percent growth YoY in publishing and recorded music earnings for first half of 2025. It is home to music industry destinations such as Mama, MIDEM and Mi-Cannes.
Latin America (LATAM) – The Fastest Growing Region in the World
In 2024, the Latin America (LATAM) recorded music market produced $3.58 Billion in revenue (streaming only) and saw two countries (Brasil #9, Mexico #10) ranked in the global Top Ten for the first time. Latin America was the fastest-growing region in the world for recorded music earnings (together with MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa with a 22.5 percent increase in 2024. This marks the region’s fifteenth consecutive year of growth. Streaming continues to be the main driver of revenue, accounting for 87.8 percent of the region’s total income.
Brazil Ranks 9th as the Fastest-Growing Music Market in the World’s Top Ten
In 2024, recorded music trade revenue for Brazil was approx. $646.8 Million (BRL 3.49 Billion.) Ranked 9th, Brazil’s revenue surged by 21.7 percent in 2024, making it the fastest-growing music market among the top ten worldwide. In the first half of 2024, digital streaming generated a phenomenal 99.2 percent of revenue from sales & streams. Total streaming income rose 22.4 percent for the year, driven by a 26.9% increase in paid audio subscriptions. 2024 was the region’s 15th consecutive year of growth, suggesting a long-term and steady market evolution.
Measurable Results
The International Marketplace delivers measuragle results through strategic, pre-arranged, curated opportunities for Canadian music companies and artist entrepreneurs to grow their business. Prior to the new relationship with Billboard in Canada at NXNE, the 2024 International Marketpalce at CMW hosted 68 Canadians meeting with 33 new International buyers, curating 721 pre-arranged meetings Many of the CAAMA members and Canadian participants did multiple meeting sessions., Trade activities generated 97 Unique Leads – double the projections for the Indo-Pacific Region, and triple what had been anticipated.
Potential or actual revenue reported by Canadian participants for outcomes from 2024 Meetings with India and the Indo Pac Region was between $3,702,694 to $5,283,368 (two to five percent more Y0Y, with 2023 having reported between $3,518,350 and $5,091,550.) The numbers are based on direct feedback from Canadian meeting participants, and continues to substantiate the strength of of CAAMA’s export strategies and activities.
Through the past twelve years alone, CAAMA’s International Marketplace trade activities have generated from $44 to $53 million ($43,727,975 to $52,717,987.)
Strategic Trade Activities
International Marketplace networking and pre-arranged, curated business-to-business (B2B) meeting sessions with Spotlight or Focus countries and growth music sectors such as Festivals, Agents, Venues, Talent Buyers, Music Supervisors and Sync Agents – are designed to increase visibility, touring, music placements etc. for Canadian artists, while building new bridges country to country and sector to sector.
CAAMA’s trade activities have led to meetings with buyers from major music festivals.
Follow-up with contacts made at ADE (Amsterdam), Africa Music Rising (Johannesburg), Afrofest, BigSound (Australia), Branded Live (Singapore),Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa), Coachella, Eurosonic (Netherlands), FAME (Africa), Fuji Rocks (Japan), Great Escape (UK), Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, Indie Week (NYC), Jazzahead (Bremen), Legend of the Guardian Festival (South Korea), Linecheck (italy), LiveAtHeart (Sweden), Lollapalooza, New Skool Rules (Rotterdam), Reeperbahn (Germany), Summerfest (USA), & Summer Sonic (Japan), SXSW, Westway Lab (Portugal), WOMEX, Wonderwall (India) or YOURSUMMER Music Festival (Japan).
Follow-up with International Contracts or Meet New Potential Partners from Around the World
Make new connections through missions from Spotlight and Focus countries, or sectors in attendance.
The International Marketplace team is ready to help you connect with the delegates you want to do business with. In advance, preview the online list of IMP participants who will be on-hand looking to do business in Canada.
CAAMA International Marketplace activities include:
– Panels on Spotlights and Focus Countries
– Setting Up International Exhibits and Booths
– Presenting market entry strategies and current market intel for international territories
– Pre-Arranged, Curated One-on-One Meetings with International delegates & buyers
– Formal and Informal Networking Opportunities
– Speaking and Panel Opportunities
– Canadian and International Spotlight Showcases