IMPALA GROWS NETWORK, HOSTS EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC SUMMIT IN DUBLIN, HONOURS PATRICK ZELNIK WITH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Brussels, 30 September 2026
Dublin / Brussels, 6 October 2026
IMPALA expanded its network and honoured the late Patrick Zelnik at its annual meeting last week in Dublin where it also held the second edition of its European Independent Music Summit.
A strategic closed-door brainstorming session with selected participants and IMPALA members under Chatham House rules, the summit was hosted during Ireland Music Week, Ireland’s annual music conference and showcase festival, and also as Ireland holds the rotating Presidency of the EU.
The summit brought together EU and Irish policy-makers, representatives of the European Investment Fund, and industry professionals including the French Centre National de la Musique (CNM), for a strategic exchange with IMPALA’s members on this year’s theme: “Boosting the potential of Europe’s independent music ecosystem as a twin economic and cultural engine for Europe”.
A key focus of the discussion was placed on the opportunity to grow the sector through targeted finance measures, which will be the subject of an upcoming report commissioned by IMPALA as part of its EU network project, also building on the growing body of findings setting out the business case for the independent sector in Europe:
–Action plan for a European industrial policy for culture
–IMPALA’s digital music plan 2026
–Powering an independent and culturally diverse European music ecosystem
As well as a special session on the importance of national associations to grow the network by providing scale, expertise and other essential facilities in the independent music ecosystem, IMPALA also held its annual members meeting and board in Dublin. The organisation reviewed priorities for the coming year and hosted a brainstorming session focused on the implementation of IMPALA’s Digital Music Plan, as well as recent industry developments.
IMPALA’s digital capacity building programme (including Digital Forward reports and Strategic Primers), as well as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), were flagged as key priorities, with a new EDI toolkit for the independent sector launched earlier this year, as well as developing markets in Central and South Eastern Europe. Members also underlined the importance of a multi-pronged AI approach and supporting sector transition on sustainability with IMPALA’s free carbon calculator and other tools.
Earlier last week, IMPALA’s 25th anniversary #WhyIndependentsMatter programme continued with the latest edition of its Faces of the Independent Sector interviews, featuring Mariana Voronina, CEO and co-owner of Best Music, a member of the Ukrainian Music Companies Association SPILNA.
IMPALA’s AGM also paid tribute to Patrick Zelnik, former president of IMPALA and Founder & President of Naïve, with IMPALA’s outstanding contribution award. Patrick was a real supporter of the work of IMPALA in underlining the importance of cultural diversity, fair competition and a well-functioning digital market. He helped the whole industry in Europe as well as France drive a positive narrative about the economic contribution of culture and in particular, small and medium cultural businesses.
IMPALA members welcomed new associations from Greece and Latvia and also thanked Larry Bringsjord, who retired from the IMPALA board after twenty-five years representing Norwegian association FONO and who received IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution award in 2022. Larry has been a key figure in IMPALA since its early days and was instrumental to our digital work as chair of the committee.
Special thanks go to IMPALA’s EU project officer Carlotta Scioldo, Nóirín Ní Earcáin and Ellen Larkin (Government of Ireland), Corinne Sadki (French Centre National de la Musique; European Music Exporters Exchange), Jorge Sanz Gonzalez (European Investment Fund), Arnaud Pasquali (European Commission, DG EAC) and Maciej Szymanowicz (European Commission, DG CNECT) for their participation and valuable insights.
A special thank you also goes to Angela Dorgan and everyone at Ireland Music Week, as well as Colm Hanley, Ciaran Conroy and Joe Clarke at AIM Ireland for their hospitality and for facilitating IMPALA’s various meetings.
IMPALA Chair, Dario Draštata, President of RUNDA Adria and Executive Director of Dallas Records stated: “One of this year’s key priorities for IMPALA will be the focus on financing options for the independent sector, ensuring that the sector can reach its full economic and cultural potential. As part of our mandate, there will also be a continued focus on further developing the Central and Eastern European region.”
IMPALA President Francesca Trainini, Vice President of Italian association PMI added: “IMPALA continues its efforts to make the streaming market fairer, more transparent and more diverse. In our Digital Music Plan, we propose specific measures to combat streaming fraud and AI dilution. We look forward to collaborating with the wider sector to reach pragmatic solutions together.”
IMPALA Treasurer, Geert De Blaere, Belgian association BIMA commented: “Our work on finance has highlighted key gaps we need to address together. As independents, we have the talent and drive to lead innovation, we continue our call for a more coordinated approach across Europe to maximise the sector’s ability to take risks and grow.”
AIM Ireland’s Managing Director, Colm Hanley: “It has been a pleasure to welcome IMPALA members, industry guests and EU policymakers to Dublin during Ireland Music Week. This summit is a great platform to discuss the independent sector’s most pressing priorities, including finance, copyright and AI.”
IMPALA’s Executive Chair, Helen Smith concluded: “This is a significant moment for IMPALA as we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year and an excellent illustration of #WhyIndependentsMatter. Our summit was a meaningful moment to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved and discuss the future we want to build together as well as remember the contribution of one of our founders Patrick Zelnik. We thank AIM Ireland and Ireland Music Week for bringing IMPALA’s network to Dublin, and our members, Friends, and the EU for their continued support.”
Ireland Music Week is a great platform for the independent sector to show its strength and collaborative spirit. IMPALA’s Executive Chair, Helen Smith, participated in a panel on “Self-Releasing & Building Your Team, Why Independence Matters in 2026”, making the case for independents once again, along with speakers Johnny Pinchard (Believe), Ruth Barlow (Beggars Group), Ben Ryles (DHP Family) and moderator MayKay (Grainstore Records / featured in IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch 2026 edition).
More about IMPALA’s work during the year, as welcomed at IMPALA’s AGM:
- IMPALA’s Annual Report 2025/2026
- IMPALA’s Digital Music Plan
- IMPALA’s Industrial Policy for Culture in Europe
- Powering an Independent and Culturally Diverse European Music Ecosystem
- 25 Years of IMPALA
- 25 Things to know about IMPALA
- Faces of the Independent Sector
- Remuneration playbook
- Strategic Primers
- Digital Forward
- IMPALA EDI Toolkit
- Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund
- CEE Independent Music Academy
- IMPALA Carbon Calculator
- IMPALA Carbon Calculator Report
- 100 Artists to Watch
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA. This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary with a series of interviews Faces of the Independent Sector and other features, see more here.
