Gateways to International Music Markets
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Music Norway regularly organizes trade missions—targeted delegation trips to international music markets—as a key instrument in strengthening the export of Norwegian music. Trade missions are designed to give professional, export-ready players in the Norwegian music industry access to markets, networks, and knowledge that can otherwise be difficult to reach. They serve as an important complement to Music Norway’s other advisory services, funding schemes, and capacity-building initiatives.
What is a Trade Mission?
A trade mission is a structured delegation trip where Music Norway brings a selected group of Norwegian music industry professionals to a prioritized market. The programs are tailored in collaboration with local industry stakeholders and often include market briefings, company visits, roundtable discussions, networking events, and meetings with decision-makers across areas such as record labels, publishing, live, sync, and digital platforms.
The aim is to provide participants with concrete insights into how the market operates, what opportunities exist, and how their own projects can be positioned internationally. At the same time, trade missions facilitate relationship-building and dialogue—both between Norwegian and international players, and across the Nordic music industry.
Priority Markets and Formats
Trade missions are carried out in both established export markets and emerging markets with strong growth potential. Music Norway prioritizes markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Nordic region, while also actively exploring and organizing delegations to regions including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Trade missions are used strategically to position Norwegian players early in rapidly developing markets.
In the period 2022–2024, trade missions were conducted to destinations including South Korea, Mexico, and Japan. Several were organized as joint Nordic delegations in collaboration with the NOMEX network. In addition, industry-focused delegations are arranged in connection with international conferences and meeting platforms, where Norwegian participation is combined with targeted meetings and professional programming.
From Networks to Tangible Results
Evaluations of Music Norway’s trade missions show that the initiative contributes to increased market knowledge, more international contacts, and improved conditions for long-term export efforts. Participants report new collaborations, project intentions, concrete agreements, and increased international activity following the delegations.
Part of a Comprehensive Export Strategy
Trade missions are rooted in Music Norway’s mandate to build international networks, increase market knowledge, and strengthen business competence in the Norwegian music industry. The initiative is developed in close dialogue with the industry and tailored to participants’ level of experience and needs—whether the goal is to explore new markets or to strengthen presence in established territories.
Through its trade missions, Music Norway acts as a gateway and facilitator for the Norwegian music industry internationally, with the aim of laying a solid foundation for sustainable export, long-term relationships, and increased visibility for Norwegian music on the global stage.
Trade Missions Planned for 2026
- NOMEX sync trade mission to Los Angeles and Musexpo
- Trade mission to Germany
- Trade mission to Poland
- Trade mission to Denmark
- NOMEX trade mission to All That Matters / Music Matters Singapore
- NOMEX trade mission to Mexico