Step 2. Create a working relationship and/or forum between Austin's musicians, venue owners/operators, related small business owners, media, and local government and city organizations to further the economic well-being, functionality, and growth of music in Austin

   Rationale:

   If we are creating a solution that infuses revenue into the Austin economy, we need to see to it that we solve our current problems completely - and keep them from happening again. This will require a great deal of dialogue and organization, and its benefit will be a unified business community that creates a greater good and a more profitable future through banding together.

   Creating an ongoing discussion that will include all in a "town hall" or committee format will allow us to voice problems and solutions as a community and benefit our local economy and profitability as a whole.

   Currently, the following issues are to be addressed in relation to each sector of our music + business community:

• Musicians - how to create a living income through performing locally; how to be recognized and rewarded as a business entity and overcome logistical issues with performing locally; how to reach audiences and grow creatively
• Venues and Music-Related Businesses - how to grow profitably in the face of audience apathy and ever-changing musical and recreational trends; how to reach potential audiences and ensure a consistent clientele that supports music; how to recieve the same financial and tax incentives that large businesses and corporations recieve from local and state government
• City Government and related agencies - how to ensure the growth, quality of life, and economic contribution created by Austin's music community; how to offer similar incentives to musicians and music-related businesses as for corporate businesses; how to solve practical issues involved with conducting Austin's music-related business such as parking and noise issues; how to involve Austin's music community in local politics as contributors and voters

   Implementation:

   A series of monthly meetings and smaller "committee meetings" will allow us to focus our communications, concerns, and solutions based on our participation in the music community. Groups of musicians can meet to focus on their agenda and bring it back to the main committee, while venue owners, media, small business, and political committees can do the same. This will allow for a focus of ideas and interests as well as a larger community forum.

   Progress:

   We have been holding monthly "Big Meetings" in a town hall format to discuss the problem, our solution, and brainstorm on ideas to carry out our solution. The smaller committee meetings meet less frequently, but are very productive. Our of our committee meetings we have created the following:

• our recommendations to the City's Live Music Task Force
• the mechanics of our PSA Campaign
• our PSA Fundraising Gala
• the Musician's Income Survey
• Music management resource & mentoring subcommittee

   Ultimately, we think that the success of our PSA campaign will alleviate immediate financial problems of those in the local music industry and allow for more unity and participation with this phase of our plan. In the meantime, we have a core of dedicated members of the industry who are dedicated to these meetings and the agendas and solutions we are creating.

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