Brighton is preparing to welcoming vinyl record enthusiasts and manufacturers for a world congress in May.
Vinyl sales enjoyed a seventh consecutive year of double-digit growth in 2017, according to Deloitte. On the back of this vinyl renaissance, Vinyl World Congress, a series of international B2B conferences, has been launched, which, organisers say, is designed to facilitate trade and co-operation within the industry.
Event director for Vinyl World Congress Europe, Connolly Mellon, tells CN he expects the first event in the series, taking place 15-16 May 2018 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, UK to attract up to 250 delegates. The event is sponsored by the machine manufacturers Pheenix Alpha, Viryl Technologies, Newbilt Machinery, Dugdale and CAF who will be demonstrating their machines and products for prospective record labels, managers and investors who want to bring vinyl manufacturing in house or expand globally.
“We are in Brighton on those dates as it is the day before The Great Escape, which attracts 3,500 music industry professionals,” says Mellon.
In addition, Vinyl World Congress Japan will launch in Tokyo in October with a Latin American event in Brazil pencilled in for 2019.
As well as sessions from manufacturers and associations, there will be a forum for those who wish to invest in the vinyl manufacturing industry.