This session focuses on the development of an international music strategy for Scotland, exploring how the sector can strengthen global connections, build sustainable growth, and increase international reach.
Through real-world examples and strategic insight, the session highlights the current landscape for international music export, what’s working, what’s missing, and how Scotland can learn from other global models to better support artists and industry professionals on the world stage.
This session was recorded as part of the SMIA Summit 2024 – a free, two-day online event exploring what’s next for Scotland’s music industry.
Topics include:
- Challenges and opportunities in international music export
- Strengthening international audience development
- Effective funding mechanisms and export models
- Environmental sustainability in international strategies
- Adapting global approaches for Scottish contexts
Session Breakdown:
- 00:00 – Introduction by Robert Kilpatrick (Scottish Music Industry Association)
- 02:08 – Keynote by Laura-Beth Salter (Freelance Musician)
- 12:32 – Panel discussion moderated by Aja Garrod-Prance (Scottish Music Industry Association), featuring:
- Lisa Whytock (Active Events / Showcase Scotland Expo / Celtic Connections)
- Olaf Furniss (Wide Events CIC / Music Tourist)
- Rod Jones (Idlewild / Post Electric Studio / Post Electric Artists)
- 59:04 – Audience Q&A
Accessibility:
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Explore more SMIA Summit 2024 sessions:
- A Sound Investment – What’s Scotland’s Music Industry Worth?
- Innovate or Stagnate – Tech’s Role in Scottish Music’s Future
- Beyond the Central Belt – Decentralising Scotland’s Music Industry
- Re-imagining Music Spaces – From Vision to Sector-wide Reality
- Achieving Fair Work in Scotland’s Music Industry
- Addressing Gender Discrimination in Scotland’s Music Industry
Session Speakers + Panellists
Laura-Beth Salter- Keynote Speaker
Speaker Biography
A well kent face on the Glasgow Folk and Roots scene, mandolinist, tutor, singer and composer Laura-Beth is a founding member of award winning folk bands The Shee, Kinnaris Quintet and From The Ground. She was nominated for the MG Alba Composer of the year award in 2013 after the success of her Celtic Connections commission and debut album ‘Breathe.’ She is an active tutor of mandolin and youth projects all over the UK as well as programming The Late Night Sessions at Celtic Connections and being an active board member of Hands Up for Trad and Showcase Scotland Expo.
Aja Garrod-Prance – Moderator
Scottish Music Industry Association
Speaker Biography
Aja joined the SMIA in 2024 as General Manager. Their role involves the day-to-day management of the SMIA’s business operations, including overseeing the successful delivery of our annual programme of services, projects and events; supporting the work of the wider executive team. They also work with our partners across SMIA projects and programmes, building effective relationships to support the SMIA’s strategic objectives.
Originally from the South of England, Aja has worked in a number of roles across the creative industries including operations, event programming and production, and funding. For the last four years, their career has focussed on talent development, funding support for grassroots music organisations and emerging music creators through roles at the PRS Foundation and Youth Music. They relocated from London to Glasgow in 2023.
Lisa Whytock
Active Events / Showcase Scotland Expo / Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections.
Speaker Biography
Lisa has been the CEO and lead agent for Active Events for over 30 years and during that time has managed the international live careers of artists ranging from Bob Geldof to Elephant Sessions. She also manages Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections, an international industry showcase embedded within the festival. Since 2012 Lisa has been The Executive Producer of Showcase Scotland Expo, the export office for folk and roots music and in partnership with Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Prs Foundation has overseen the production of large scale events in Australia, France, Denmark, Scandanavia and England.
Olaf Furniss
Wide Days / Music Tourist
Speaker Biography
Olaf Furniss is a journalist and founder of Wide Events, an organisation which hosts music business seminars and Scotland’s music industry convention and showcase Wide Days. He reports for a wide variety of media including the BBC, The Scotsman, MusikWoche and IQ, and has written for Billboard, Music Week, Audience and Fono Forum.
Olaf has worked as a consultant for music industry conferences including Sonic Visions, by:Larm, Reeperbahn Festival, GoNorth, Berlin Music Week and Canadian Music Week, organising and/or moderating over 200 panels in the past five years. His interest in music tourism formed the basis of a Masters in Music: Innovation & Entrepreneurship and he has given guest lectures at universities in the UK, Norway and Germany.
SMIA Summit 2025
The SMIA Summit returns later this year – bringing together Scotland’s music industry for two days of meaningful discussion, sector development and shared action.
Building on the themes explored throughout the 2024 Summit, this year’s programme will continue to address the challenges and opportunities facing artists, organisations, and professionals across the country – with a renewed focus on innovation, equity and sustainability.
Whether you’re working in music, supporting the wider creative economy, or shaping policy and infrastructure, the SMIA Summit offers a space to connect, reflect and help shape the future of Scotland’s music industry.
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