Established German music conference Popkomm is set to take the year off in 2009.
Popkomm was originally supposed to take place from 16-18 September in Berlin, but late last week, event organisers revealed that it would not go ahead. In an official statement, Popkomm representatives explained that "amid continuing difficulties within the industry and in agreement with the Association of Independent Sound Media Companies (VUT) and the Association of the German Music Industry (BVMI), Popkomm GmbH has decided to postpone the music industry platform Popkomm for one year."
Original plans for this year's Popkomm were supposedly tailored to cater for the industry downturn, with organisers reducing entry prices and changing to the more economically viable Station Berlin venue, but it seems even these measures weren't enough to prevent fears of a poor turn out. Popkomm's managing director Ralf Kleinhenz has defended their decision to cancel, stating that "a situation that was becoming clear early this year at MIDEM in Cannes also seems to be affecting Popkomm in Berlin. Despite positive reactions to the new event location and a satisfactory number of bookings by exhibitors, because of the economic situation we anticipate a considerable decline in trade visitor attendance," before continuing to explain that "out of responsibility towards the exhibitors we have therefore decided to postpone Popkomm for one year."
Organisers are also looking to secure financial support from the German government for the 2010 conference, which should hopefully ease the pressures that have caused this year's cancellation.
