Pay your dues, advises Gilkes

Make sure you are up-to-date with your Copyright Society Of Composers Authors And Publishers Inc. dues.

This was the advice FAS director Al Gilkes gave a number of fledgling event promoters Saturday at BIMAP, Wildey, St Michael, during the launch of the Digicel Barbados and FAS promotions Barbados Reggae Festival event management seminar.

“You may fall under the radar, but someday soon they will get to you. So do some reading. Go on any site which talks about royalties and get some information about how royalties are paid and the different rules and regulations associated with the collection,” Gilkes said.

“Because you as the promoter, or the event manager, you need to know your role in ensuring you have your licences, because they can come to your event in the middle and shut it down if you don’t.”

He spoke alongside Digicel marketing executive Neilsa Layne, and BIMAP [Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity] teacher Laurie Blackman who also told those present how best to approach companies when looking for sponsorship.

Blackman said event management was an area that required a lot of investment.

In addition to the promoters, a handful of students from the Barbados Community College, University of the West Indies and some entrepreneurs attended the seminar.

Five students will get hands on experience at events during the Barbados Reggae Festival. (TG)