From our days Producers of  the New York Music and Internet Expo and Global Entertainment and Media Summit:

 "If you have serious aspirations and want to lift your career, you must, must, must attend GEMS.  You will make more contacts in two days than you'd normally be able to make in 20 years!"  Howard Bloom

"At a time of considerable consolidation in the media and in the touring industries, it is important that the music industry re-invents itself in order to have a solid foundation as it once did." -- John Scher

“Never before has the availability of technology allowed communication to occur in a decentralized manner, and because of this, both "mainstream" as well as alternative artists are rethinking their career strategies both long and short-term. This phenomena was most apparent at the Global Entertainment & Media Summit, where thinkers and doers in many fields came from all over the world to exchange ideas and present platforms by which this evolution could occur in an effective and inclusive way. I was most impressed with the realistic outlook on the part of most of the participants, who fully understanding the difficulty of the task at hand, still seemed truly willing to tackle the obstacles ahead and to help create an industry that will be even better than the one which it will replace…” --Michael Masucci,Director EZTV Media www.eztvmedia.com

"Being an Independent Entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted. If you want to be free from the control of others; self-contained, self-reliant, self-sufficient...an architect, creator, originator...register for the Global Entertainment Network Conference. It's like an oxygen tank for innovators. What's important to remember... rewards don't always reflect in the bottom line but in the richness it brings to one's mind (and soul)." -- Jerry Lembo, CEO (Creative Entertainment Officer,) Jerry Lembo Entertainment Group

Most events sell a dream, a vision of business as usual. The music business, never a static thing, is about to go through cataclysmic, mind bending changes. There never was a business as usual, and never will be again. The old rules no longer apply and the new rules are being made as we go along. It's no longer just about music, but the way music fits into the larger mosaic of media, entertainment and people's lives. The "major" record companies have lost sight of this, yet people still want to move into that castle in the air, even though, in the back of their minds, is the fact that only 5% of the people who go into enjoy any financial success. If you want to buy into that dream, the old way of doing things, prepare for a life-time of disappointment. If you want to prepare for the realities of the music business, not as it was but as it will be, as the musicians and visionary music business people are restructuring it over the ruins of what was, hock up a yard and come to the Global Media Summit. -- Hank Bordowitz, www.bordowitz.com

The independent labels are the incubators and breeding ground for where the future of music will be. They always have and always will be. Missi Callazzo- Megafore Records

Now is the perfect time for independent artists to get their music out there. With creative marketing, frugal expenditure of limited finances and savvy use of technology, artists can achieve success without relying on traditional major label channels. --Peggy O'Brien, Sound Advisors.

Leiber & Stoller said it best, "If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair." To me that song means to work within your means to accomplish your goals. When you use whatever resources you have, you will be able to grow. In fact you'll grow so strong and feel so resourceful you'll wonder why anyone ever needed a major label for their career at all --Anne Leighton, Ann Leighton Media

After a long and frustrating road, the new deals inked this year in digitally distributed music mark the beginnings of a new start in the development of the future of the music business, and the entertainment business generally. Resources like CD Baby and the digital distribution services are a victory for independent artists, because now artists can take advantage of well-established channels to distribute their music and reach their audience. The big nut to crack is promotion. Artists who think creatively about the listener experience in wireless handsets, video games, advertising and synchronization with moving pictures can really break through --Steve Masur, Esq.

"The Music Business of today is really the Worst of times AND the Best of Times. Over the next few years, the independent sectors of the Industry will be in a better position to create new and innovative opportunities for themselves and the artists they represent" --Ritch Esra, Music Business Registry.

With corporate layoffs, downsizing and mergers getting way out of control, the few major record companies left are releasing too much music that they themselves can't devote time and energy to. There's little care left given to artistry and development, and only to the business side. It's more about marketing than about the music, and has been for a long time now. We're left with a music business that only cares about a fast buck with artists that have no longevity, and without enduring catalogues. With technology changing rapidly, now more than ever it's important for independent labels and artists to fill that void, and give new and emerging artists the care and guidance they can't get from the majors. --Ken Michaels,ABC Radio Networks

To say that the music industry is in a state of upheaval is clearly an understatement, as we are now seeing the continuing decline of CD sales, an ever-growing blizzard of lawsuits and the continued consolidation among the largest companies in our industry. Doing business the same old way no longer makes sense, but its successor hasn't yet clearly emerged. And for those working in the film business, don't be complacent -- you're about to confront many of the same issues if you aren't already. That's why attending the Global Entertainment & Media Summit makes so much sense for anyone involved in either of these businesses -- and why StarPolish is one of the event's main sponsors. We've always been strong advocates of artists becoming better educated about their chosen fields and understanding how they work, because artist empowerment starts with education. The two upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits -- to be held in New York April 3rd and 4th, 2004 and in Los Angeles on June 12th and 13th, 2004 -- allow you to not only learn more about how the industry is changing, it allows you to become an active participant rather than an idle bystander. These events champion the change in the entertainment landscape, as it offers new opportunities for artists and the industry to come together to share their visions and creativity. It's a chance for you to meet with and hear from the people who are going to help make it happen. These two-day events, very affordably priced, bring together industry leaders from entertainment, media and technology companies, content creators, marketers, distributors and everyone in between that works in the Music, Film, DV, Media, New Media and Multimedia worlds. It's also a conference in which you can not only listen to others, but stand up and have your say! --Jim Willcox, Starpolish

"GEMS is a place where anyone trying to break into the music business can get some good information from professionals who are not going to sugarcoat it -- most of up came up the hard way and made it to where we are by a combination of determination, tenacity, smarts and luck. As to the last commodity, I refer you to Thomas Jefferson: "I'm a firm believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I have."

It's also a great place to network and exchange war stories, find out who the promoters who don't pay are and where to find the clubs with the best percs. Also, most of the people on the panels will be willing to share their expertise one on one with people who ask the right questions.

The worst your clients could get out of it is confirmation of things they already know, but there's so much up-to-date information exchanged, I think anyone who is serious about music will get something out of it. --Hank Bordowitz

“As a company that serves both the artist and music business community, we found this past weekend's Global Entertainment and Media Summit held in NYC to be extremely productive. The diversity of artists and industry professionals mingling together in this casual environment, created excellent networking opportunities for all who attended.” -- Paul Sacksman, Music Resource Group

“Great Show!!!” -- Damien Lichtenstein, Producer/Director, "3000 Miles from Graceland."

“A very dedicated and committed event…” -- Les Paul

“Congratulations on a job well done. It was very ambitious and you did it! I look forward to next year.” -- Gary H. Chetkof President Woodstock Broadcasting Network

“I want to thank you for putting on such a great show. As I mentioned to you on the weekend, from a business perspective, it is the best show I've ever been to. I sold all the books I brought with me, and made several pre-sales! I also made a ton of solid contacts. Hopefully your nerves will recover from the weight of this huge production, and you'll be able to put it on again next year. You can count me in for sure. Keep in touch!” -- David Wimble, The Indie Bible

“Thank you for organizing an event that was so synergistic that so many wonderful opportunities will be made available for many years.” -- Peter Spellman, Berklee Press