UK charity Music Venue Trust (MVT) has announced the date of its Venues Day 2022.
It will be the eighth edition of the conference and will take place at St John at Hackney Church on Tuesday, October 18.
The one-day event, which launched in 2014, will enable those representing grassroots venues, promoters, agents, artists, government departments and funding bodies to network and share experiences.
Beverley Whitrick, chief operating officer, Music Venue Trust, said: “It has become increasingly clear that after a tough couple of years there will be no return to the past, and it is now critical that new connections are made and that alternative ways of doing things are explored.
“Venues Day 2022 is a fantastic opportunity to find out how people have adapted to such seismic change. The GMV (grassroots music venues) sector has always thrived because of its vibrant sense of community so bringing everyone together to help reinforce this is hugely important. This event will be a unique meeting point to discuss the cultural, social and economic interests affecting grassroots music venues. Venues Day 2022 is built around one key aim; that every single delegate leaves having made connections or re-connections that will help them in a meaningful way.”
One focus will be on MVT’s ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign, where the charity launched Music Venue Properties to purchase the freehold of grassroots music venues.
Music fans and ethical investors can help raise funds to purchase the freehold, while also receiving a 3% APR return on their investment. On completion of a purchase, MVP will then offer most operators a reduction in rent, help with building repairs and insurance while also guaranteeing long term security.
Mark Davyd, chief executive of Music Venue Trust, added: “Our ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign is by far our most ambitious project to date and has already had a great start. Venues Day 2022 will provide a great opportunity to discuss, plan and share ways in which we can make this initiative a reality and secure the long-term future of the GMV sector.”
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