9:00 AM – WELCOME BY BRYAN EKUS & LARRY JAFFEE

9:05 AM – TONY VISCONTI (via video) REMEMBERS

9:15 AM – RECORD STORE DAY IN EUROPE: THE GROWTH CONTINUES
A little more than a week after the annual global celebration, discover the winning formulas for record-breaking sales from RSD reps in Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Italy in expanding the vinyl-buying audience.
Moderator: Michael Kurtz, RSD co-founder. Speakers: Kim Bayley, RSD Great Britain; Pascal Bussey, RSD France; Jan Köpke, RSD Germany; Danilo Durante, RSD Italy

10:15 AM – IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
Buying up pressing equipment and lathes at auction decades ago proved to be prescient moves for these large European operations that are meeting continued customer demand for a quality product. Is more investment in technology needed to ensure future profits?
Moderator: Michael Fremer, Analog Planet. Speakers: Michal Sterba, GZ Media (Czech Republic); Alban Pingeot, MPO (France); Peter Runge, Optimal Media (Germany)

11:00 AM – NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:30 AM – OBSERVATIONS FROM A DISTRIBUTOR
Where are the markets going? What are the future plans for release of new titles on vinyl and what plans are in place for the release of back catalog titles?
Speaker: Michael Schuster, Cargo Records (Germany); others TBA

NOON – HOW TO BUILD A VINYL PLANT IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Building a new pressing plant from scratch is quite an undertaking from both a financial and technological standpoint. Hear from newcomers in the market on what they learned along the way. Are these investments meeting their expectations?
Moderator: Andreas Kohl, Optimal Media. Speakers: Helge Sudau, My45 (Germany); Henrik Damm Krogh, Nordso Records (Denmark); Max Gössler, Intakt! Vinyl (Germany)

1:00 PM – LUNCH + KEYNOTER: GERHARD BLUM, SONY MUSIC INTERNATIONAL
As Senior Vice President of Global Distribution & Supply Chain, Gerhard Blum oversees manufacturing and distribution for Sony Music International. During his 24 years with the music major, he has witnessed dramatic changes in the music industry – from the rise of digital downloads and streaming, to the decline of the CD, and the surprising comeback of the vinyl record.

2:00 PM – MASTERING & CUTTING MASTERCLASS
A great sounding record starts with a correctly mastered recording and meticulously cut lacquer. Europe’s best artisans provide a “Best Practice” tutorial for both of these specialties, as well as other anecdotes for the production of a high-quality product.
Moderator: Michael Fremer, Analog Planet. Speakers: Andreas LUPO Lubich, Loop-O; Rainer Maillard, Emil Berliner Studios

2:45 PM – WHERE’S THE GROWTH GOING
A cross-section from the “new” vinyl industry, including labels, brokers and packagers, will openly trade notes about what’s expanding and importantly, sustaining the consumer market.
Speakers: Karen Emanuel, Key Production (Great Britain); Gregory Pezard, Squeezer (France); Chris Veats, VDC Group (Great Britain)

3:30 PM – NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

4:00 PM – VINYL 4.0 THE NEXT GENERATION OF MAKING RECORDS
Innovations in the manufacturing process that yields not only better sounding and better quality pressings but many other advantages to increase profitability and process. Hear about innovations that will drive the record industry beyond the 21st century. Speakers: Guenter Lobl, Green Vinyl; others tba.

4:45 PM – THE COMMUNICATIVE POWER OF KILLER PACKAGING
The vinyl record resurgence is being driven largely by the tactile nature of the format, a clear advantage over streaming and digital downloads. But how important is the packaging and presentation? Is the secret to continued vinyl growth merely recreating the original art for re-issue, or should something new be designed? We speak to graphic designers in the field of album art to get their views and recommendations.
Presenter: Torsten Posselt, FELD Design