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MEMBER PROFILE: Interview With Al Kowalenko Executive Director of MIAC   The Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) is a national, not-for-profit trade association that represents the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of music products and professional audio, lighting, and video technologies in Canada. MIAC is committed to supporting and advancing the music products industry in Canada through advocacy, research, education, trade shows, and membership services. We had the opportunity to interview Al Kowalenko, Executive Director of MIAC.

Al, could you please tell us a bit about yourself and about MIAC?

I am currently the executive director of the Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) and work at the national head office in Toronto. When I started in 1979, MIAC had 50 member companies and now has over 300 member companies. Additionally, we originally had only manufacturers and distributors as members but now have retailers too. Over the years our trade show has improved as well. We used to have only one hall and now we have two. One hall is for pro-audio and musical instruments and one for lighting and staging.

How did you get involved with M.I industry? Do you play an instrument?

I come from a PR background and did manage a symphony orchestra at one time; however, I do not play an instrument.As a child I experimented with various instruments such as trombone, keyboard, and guitar but nothing serious. I still love to attend symphony concerts and other live musical events.

How long have you been in this business?

I started with MIAC in 1979. It is my 30th anniversary.

What are some reasons that MIAC joined IMSTA?

The reason we are aligned with IMSTA and provide space at our trade show is to highlight the fact that the IMSTA message must continue to spread in our industry. Several thousand people exhibit or attend our show each year and it is important that IMSTA has such an exposure.

How does MIAC approach the software piracy problem?

Our position is that we do not support piracy as it is detrimental to our industry. We also try to support any organizations such as IMSTA that works towards a solution. Piracy is illegal and we do not support any companies or individuals that use pirated products of any kind.

How can an association such as MIAC benefit from its membership in IMSTA?

Benefits are very simple; we get informed about new developments in the fight against piracy and the music software industry in general. We also find out about any research and development in this field and receive the results of any surveys that IMSTA conducts. The key benefit is this information exchange and we are happy and grateful to receive such useful information.

We ask this question from all our interviewees. Is there anything you want to say to the pirates out there reading this article?

Piracy is illegal and it hurts our industry. It is just commonsense.

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