A2IM’S INCREASED GLOBAL REACH TO BE REFLECTED ONCE AGAIN AT THIS YEAR’S A2IM INDIE WEEK CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH IN NEW YORK CITY
New York, NY (May 15, 2024) – A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc) is thrilled to receive an E Star Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in Washington, DC. This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the E Awards, which were created by President John F. Kennedy, in 1961. The President’s E Star Award (“E-for-Export”) is the highest recognition a person or U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
A ceremony took place yesterday at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Herbert C. Hoover building in Washington DC, where A2IM General Manager, Lisa Hresko was on hand to accept the award. “A2IM is honored to receive the President’s E Star Award for excellence in export. This is the second time A2IM has received a President’s E Award, which underscores the important work A2IM does in promoting international export delegations and the value of the vibrant community of American music businesses that we proudly represent, as well as the global impact of independent music.”
“Trade impacts the lives of every American worker, business and community,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “I am proud to recognize this year’s President’s ‘E’ and ‘E Star’ award recipients for their efforts and contributions to increase economic prosperity across our country and further position the U.S. private sector as the partner of choice in markets around the globe.”
A2IM is a two-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant, awarding projects aimed to boost U.S. exports and support jobs across the country. A2IM has successfully transformed its flagship conference A2IM Indie Week, into a bustling hub for international business for the independent music community, attracting buyers from over 30 countries. In the past year, A2IM has led trade missions to India, Germany, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia helping to introduce members of the independent music industry to international partners, and in turn helping U.S. based companies and artists expand their reach to a global market.
A2IM has been increasingly active in Washington DC, recently taking part in a first-of-its-kind press conference and mini-concert event alongside Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to announce the introduction of new legislation to create federal grant programs to support the work of emerging artists – the CREATE Art Act. As well as being instrumental in supporting the ELVIS Act, HITS Act, Protecting Working Musicians Act, Fans First Act, in the past year.