The North Coast region of NSW is a magnet for musicians from all over Australia.

For a start, the north coast boasts an impressively wide range of quality boutique recording studios.

Then there are the specialised and accredited music schools and courses, including Southern Cross University, where you can study for a Bachelor of Contemporary Music, and the state-of-the-art teaching facilities at the world head quarters of the internationally recognised School of Audio Engineering.

There are over 40 active live music venues, such as the Railway Friendly Bar in Byron Bay, which has offerred live original music 7 nights a week for over 20 years, and the beautiful and stately Hotel Brunswick, where top quality music is played every weekend in a gorgeous setting by the lazy old Brunswick River.

And of course there are our fabulous local festivals...the simply incredible East Coast Blues and Roots Festival is the biggest in the southern hemisphere, and Splendour in the Grass has become one of the most popular and important youth music festivals in the Australia. But they're just the big ones. The range of interesting niche festivals which have emerged in recent years has further enriched our cultural life.

...and the fact that it is a regular stop for major touring acts, makes this the envy of other regions and often the major cities.

NCEIA is the North Coast Entertainment Industry Association.

The North Coast Entertainment Industry Association works behind the scenes to serve and develop the local music industry in this thriving region. We aim to foster professionalism, build networks, act as a conduit to the latest industry information and create special events to further enhance and strengthen the solid foundations of our vibrant music scene.

For 16 years NCEIA has run as a volunteer organisation and has built up a comprehensive music industry network and strong links with local businesses and venues. It represents over 1000 members.

A major independent report on NCEIA was commissioned and completed during 2006. It's most significant conclusion was the need for a rebranding of the Association and a restyling of its advertising, including web-site, to reflect a more proactive, professional and contemporary 'look and feel', projecting a mature style of operation and the dynamic nature of the music industry .

With a fresh new board recently appointed and now taking over operations of the association, comprising several effective and energetic young local businessmen and musicians, the association's affairs have already begun to change dramatically, with great new premises, some new funding and plenty of new ideas. It's an exciting time at NCEIA right now.

New NCEIA board members include:

President: Mark Pidcock, - general manager of City Toyota Lisomore and LinearG internet service.

Vice-President: Brian Watt - popular North Coast solo entertainer and Music Teacher at Kadina High

Secretary: Keshet Cohen

Board members - Roo MacKerras, John McPherson, Jon Pinkerton, Peter Cuming

Entries for the 2007 Dolphin Awards close on 30th August. For more information see miX - NCEIA website.