menu
menu
menu
menu
menu
menu
COCA Showcase Policies - approved November 30, 2009
Any artist selected to showcase must be or become an Associate Member of COCA or be represented at the conference by a company that is or will become an Associate Member of COCA. Memberships must be in good standing during the conference. Self-represented artists will be offered a discount on the annual associate membership fee as determined by the COCA Board.
Any artist selected to showcase must be represented in the conference trade show either by the company that books the act or by the artist him or herself. Self-represented artists will be permitted to share a trade show booth with another artist at a rate determined by the COCA Board.
Each showcasing artist is allowed 20 minutes of performance time except comedy artists who receive 15 minutes of performance time. Stage and equipment set-up time is not included in the performance time.
The showcase selection committee has the sole authority to select showcasing artists (other than the acts that showcase as part of a sponsorship package).
The conference chair will appoint a showcase production manager.
All showcasing artists selected to showcase must sign an agreement regarding their showcase appearance and pay a showcase fee.
The showcase selection committee has the following deadlines to meet for the national conference: the application deadline will not be less than 10 weeks prior to the date of the conference. Notification of the decision of the showcase selection committee shall be sent to each applicant not less than 7 weeks prior to the date of the conference.
No substitutions will be allowed on the showcase. If the attraction is unable to appear, the associate member firm submitting the attraction loses its fee and forfeits its time slot. If the showcase act severs its business relationship with the associate member prior to the showcase, the attraction may still appear as scheduled only if they become an associate member and pay the appropriate fees (membership, showcase, exhibitor).
An associate member that has an act selected to showcase must be the only booking contact for the act during the conference.
In the event that the act is not accepted for a showcase, the showcase fee, if paid in advance, will be refunded, save for a showcase application fee set by the Board. The associate member then has two weeks to cancel in order to receive a full refund on conference registration, if paid in advance. In the event that an alternate performing artist is selected to showcase, that act may cancel with full refund of any fees paid in advance, save the showcase application fee, within one week of notification.
Any live performance during the conference, promoted or advertised directly to conference delegates, that occurs outside the officially scheduled program of the conference may be considered an illegal showcase. The Board may exercise disciplinary hearings and impose any penalty provided for in the grievance procedure.
Professional production will be provided for all showcases. Details will be communicated to all showcase acts in advance of the conference. If COCA determines that backline will be provided at any conference, all music showcase acts are required to use the backline equipment provided and will not be permitted to use their own stage gear.
The conference chair will provide necessary technicians and stagehands.
Acts may have their own personnel operate the sound and lights provided these individuals are qualified to do so. The main volume control and the power supply for the lights will be under final and absolute control of the Production Manager.
Each act must provide a stage plot with their showcase applications. Stage plots will include scaled diagram of position of all equipment, and complete list of equipment arriving. Technicians are required to operate: sound, lights, and monitors. The Production Manager may, at his discretion, refuse any prop or special effect. Requests for special effects or special set ups must be made in advance.
Representatives for all showcase acts may be required to attend an information meeting on the day of their showcase: time and place to be announced. Failure to comply with this requirement may forfeit the act's right to appear.
Representatives of performing artists are responsible for making their artists fully aware of all conference regulations. In particular, conference ID's may not be transferred. Unauthorized use of artist ID's or passes issued to guests of artists will result in individuals involved being asked to leave the conference area. They will not be permitted to re-enter under any circumstances. Guest passes must be requested at least 5 days prior to the start of the conference by contacting the COCA office.
Because of the very tight showcase schedule, each act must not exceed the maximum of twenty (20) minutes performance time; 15 minutes for comedy acts. When 18 minutes has elapsed, a yellow warning light will be lit. At 20 minutes a red light will be turned on. Once 22 minutes has elapsed, the lights and sound will be turned off. Avoid embarrassing your act. DO NOT EXCEED THE TIME LIMIT. For comedy artists, the corresponding warnings will be given at 13 minutes, 15 minutes, and 17 minutes.
All regulations and schedules outlined on the Showcase Information sheet, Showcase Application form, Load-In Times sheet and Showcase Order & Sound check Times sheet will be strictly adhered to. These will be sent with notification of acceptance of showcase applications.
