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COPE Returns With Conference In Augusta
James Brown To Be Honored
The National Club Owners, Promoters & Entertainment Executives & Entrepreneurs Conference (COPE) will convene
its sixth national conference during Black Music Month 2006 from June 25 through 29 in the historical city of August, GA.
Nightclub and event facilities owners, their DJs, managers and buyers; performing artists, agents and managers; entertainment
producers; record companies; radio and retail representatives; tobacco and liquor companies; and countless entertainment suppliers
will meet at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in Augusta to network and discuss the "Club Culture - Political, Social &
Financial Issues."
"Yes, we're going to the home of the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Mr. James Brown, and we will honor him
with our Living Legend Award," says COPE Executive Director Libby Anthony.
Past recipients include Curtis Mayfield, Roger Troutman and Jack "The Rapper" Gibson. Anthony went on to say
that COPE '06 production partner D-Firm Productions, located in Augusta, wanted to spotlight the city. President/CEO Sam Bussey
(who describes himself as the second hardest working man in show business) wants to focus on his hometown and the terrific
talents that call Augusta home.
The June conference will feature seminars, workshops and presentations by industry experts on topics such as
- how to prepare media packages
- the importance of clubs in breaking records
- maintaining artist careers
- security and insurance coverage
- tour production and product promotion
- how to promote specialty entertainment such as Kid Attractions, Rodeos, Circuses, Plays, etc.
COPE has a rich history of participants that include industry experts Percy Sutton, Michael Mauldin, Dick Gregory, Ricky
Walker, Sidney Miller, Clyde Allen, Jim Thompson and a host of other icons in the hospitality, refreshment and entertainment
industries.
At the Awards Dinner & Show, special awards will be presented to entertainment entrepreneur Lil Jon' and star-maker
Michael Mauldin. This year COPE will include a Super Sizzling Blues Show on the night of the Soul and Blues Summit (a conference
within a conference) devoted to this club-supported genre. COPE '06 will also include an Entertainment Expo.
Anthony says acts, talent buyers and promoters should "be prepared to buy and be prepared to sell; we're going to
make it convenient to cut deals."
The COPE conference has always been a business-producing event. Brian Johnson, COO at D-Firm, was so influenced by his
first COPE conference he initiated the conversation that led to the new COPE and D-Firm partnership.
Since its inception COPE projects have included: five national COPE conferences; "The COPE Times," a quarterly
newsletter; regular empowerment sessions; and the COPE Xpress (a Round Robin type nightclub series that is still Atlanta's
hottest Monday night party).
For additional information and registration, visit www.clubCOPE.org
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