ACCES 2021 opens registrations

This year’s ACCES takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, at Constitution Hill and other yet-to-be-announced venues on 25, 26 and 27 November. The pan-African trade event will host industry professionals from across Africa and around the world, who will be in South Africa’s most industrialised city to share knowledge, network, exchange ideas and witness showcases by emerging and established artists from the continent and diaspora.

Featuring international speakers, networkers and showcasing artists, ACCES offers a strong conference programme that includes industry talks, pitch and networking sessions, workshops, music performances and an exhibition.

Some of the top speakers added to the programme this week include Visa For Music project manager Afaf Abahoua (Morocco), singer Msaki (South Africa), Akum Agency founder Jess White (South Africa), music industry entrepreneur Siya ‘Slikour’ Metane (South Africa) and rapper Gigi Lamayne (South Africa), who join previously announced speakers Black Major’s Sevi Spanoudi, Afro Nation Ghana producer Ruddy Kwakye (Ghana), Dakar Music Expo founder Dudu Sarr (Senegal), entrepreneur and content marketer Phil Chard (Zimbabwe), Ongala Festival director Aziza Ongala (Tanzania), music journalist and media strategist Shiba Melissa Mazaza (South Africa) and Composers, Authors and Publishers Association CEO Jotam Matariro.

To coincide with the registration announcement, ACCES has also confirmed the first batch of four acts who will perform at the event, including Msaki, Urban Village, Ikati Esengxoweni and Diamond Thug. More artists will be announced soon.

In addition to the dynamic line-up of musicians based on the continent, ACCES is partnering with Reeperbahn Festival to introduce exciting acts from the diaspora, which will perform, collaborate and participate in a skills transfer workshop during the conference.

This year, ACCES is incorporating the Music In Africa Gender@Work skills development programme, which aims to address gender imbalances in the music industry by providing opportunities for African women to benefit from a wide range of upskilling options. The programme’s second iteration, which will train participants in stage management, takes place in Johannesburg from 21 to 27 November. Applications for the programme are ongoing here until 26 September.

Interested individuals can register for ACCES via the easy-to-follow online registration process (registration links provided below).

Delegate registration

Registration and attendance for delegates at ACCES 2021 comes with a host of benefits including entry to exhibitions, showcases, talks, networking sessions and panel discussions. Delegates will also get to go on excursions to various music hubs in Johannesburg where they will learn about the inner workings of the local industry and meet influential players operating in the city’s firmly established music scene.

ACCES provides delegates with opportunities to create business linkages with African and international industry players, and promote their works and products to a wider audience while gaining knowledge about the latest trends in the music business.

This year, ACCES will install a studio space where musicians will be able to record and collaborate with artists who they’ve met at the conference.

Register HERE as an ACCES 2021 delegate.

Exposure and showcase of new products

Delegates who want to gain added exposure at ACCES 2021 can take advantage of ACCES' refined exposure platforms, namely Hub Exhibitor and Pitch Session:

Hub Exhibitor

The ACCES 2021 Exhibition Hub is an innovative, tech-oriented space where companies and organisations can present their products and services while networking with potential clients and collaborators. Each exhibitor gets their own ‘hub’ space, which is completely customisable to the needs of the exhibitor and comes with a large screen and tech facilities to aid the presentation of products and services in a modern, uncluttered fashion. All exhibitors will need to do is bring their digital media, plug in and let the stand do the work for them.

Book a stand at the Exhibition Hub HERE

Pitch Sessions

The ACCES 2021 Pitch Sessions are cool opportunities that startups can use to present their ideas to an audience of future funders and collaborators. Pitchers will get 10 minutes to present their startup, answer questions and get feedback from the audience members, many of whom will be music industry leaders on the lookout for the next big idea.

Pitch at ACCES 2021 HERE.

Benefits

Exhibitors will be taken between venues and accredited hotels, and their logos will be added to the ACCES website and printed programme. In addition, their company profiles will appear on the Music In Africa website (musicinafrica.net) and in the dedicated exhibitors’ newsletter that will be sent out to some 45 000 subscribers in Anglophone and Francophone Africa, as well as to recipients around the world.

Registration fees

• African delegate – FREE
• Non-African delegate – $100
• Hub Exhibitor – $850
• Pitcher– $100

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The MIAF will continue monitoring COVID-19 developments with a view to offer the safest event possible. More information is available on the ACCES official website. 

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African trade event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut and Reeperbahn Festival International.

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