UPCOMING PADX TRIPS
The West has long been the gateway to Asia, and WAA is building on that legacy with our next PADX trade mission. This October, WAA will lead a delegation of arts professionals to two major East Asian performing arts gatherings with meaningful financial support, on-the-ground expertise, and the community of a curated US delegation behind you.
The Events
Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX)
OCT 9–13, Hong Kong
Now in its second biennial edition, HKPAX unites the performing arts sector across China, Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond. Its inaugural edition welcomed more than 1,600 delegates from 60 countries. The expo combines robust professional programming and networking with large-scale public performances reaching local audiences in the tens of thousands.
An optional HKPAX-led regional travel extension is also available October 14–15.
Estimated Costs
Members: $3,900 ($1,950 with subsidy)
Nonmembers: $4,500 ($2,250 with subsidy)
Busan Performing Arts Market (BPAM)
SEPT 29–OCT 7, Busan, South Korea
Now in its fourth edition, BPAM connects Korea with East Asia and the global performing arts community. Over 300 delegates are expected in 2026. Like HKPAX, BPAM pairs meaningful industry programming with major public-facing performances. Delegates attending both events will travel from Busan to Hong Kong on October 7.
Estimated Costs
Members: +$5,500 ($2,750 with subsidy)
Nonmembers: $6,100 ($3,050 with subsidy)
Please note: This is an add-on to the Hong Kong trip. Trip costs include Hong Kong.
What’s Included
Through PADX's partnership with event producers and support from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration's Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), WAA provides:
Roundtrip airfare to and from Hong Kong, or to Busan then Hong Kong and back.
Accommodations during the duration of the trip.
Curated programming: Special meetings and group activities organized by WAA inside and outside the events;
Presence in the Expo Hall through a shared booth;
Market research resources and access to experts on the ground;
Technical assistance and pre-trip preparation, including a virtual pre-trip gathering;
Travel subsidies to offset the cost of flights, accommodations, registration, and events for eligible participants;
Final amounts depend on origin city and fuel costs at the time of booking. Meals are not included.
Travel Subsidies
US-based artists and artist representatives with existing or planned engagement with East Asian markets can quality for travel subsidies worth 50 percent of the trip costs. A committee will select 5–10 arts professionals to form the delegation. WAA membership is not required.
Estimated travel subsidy:
Hong Kong only: $1,950-$2,250
Korea and Hong Kong: $2,750-$3,050
Who Should Apply
Participation in the delegation is open to all arts professionals with an interest in international engagement. Subsidies are only available for US-based artists and artist representatives with existing or planned engagement with East Asian markets. A committee will select 5–10 arts professionals to form the delegation. WAA membership is not required.
You can view the application questions before you begin.
If you are a presenter, promoter, WAA community member based outside the US, or another colleague interested in participating – please reach out directly. We welcome your involvement and can extend many of the benefits available to the formal delegation.
If you have questions about the program or eligibility, please contact us — we want to help you find your path to this opportunity.
Schedule
May 13 Applications open
May 29 Priority application deadline
Week of June 7 Notifications sent
June 18 $500 deposit due
August 14 Full balance due
TBD September Pre-trip virtual gathering
September 29 Arrive Busan (Korea option)
September 30 Meetings, Busan
October 1–7 BPAM
October 7 Arrive Hong Kong
October 8 Meetings, Hong Kong
October 9–13 HKPAX
October 14–15 Optional HKPAX-led regional travel
PAST PADX TRIPS
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Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX) | Manchester, England | October 2024
October 2024, WAA traveled to the WOMEX — Worldwide Music Expo in Manchester, England. Accompanied by WAA executive director, Joshua Heim, the artists networked with international programmers and agents, participated in professional development activities, attended evening showcases and operated a PAD booth in the WOMEX Trade Fair.
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International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) | Perth, Australia | April 2024
April 2024, PADX brought a delegation of artists and agents to the second ISPA — International Society for the Performing Arts Congress of 2024 in Perth, Australia. ISPA congresses are attended by more than 500 leaders from more than 50 regions around the world, representing different genres and disciplines within the performing arts field.
Read Joshua Kohl’s experience in Degenerate Art Ensemble’s Substack.
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Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX) | A Coruña, Spain | October 2023
WAA’s first ever PADX delegation of artists and agents traveled to A Coruña, Spain for WOMEX — Worldwide Music Expo in October 2023 — the biggest conference of the global music scene and the leading networking platform for the world music industry, making new connections with performing arts professionals from all over the world and exploring the culture and picturesque views of host city, A Coruña together.
About the PADX Program
PADX is an initiative of the Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program, developed to expand international markets and generate overseas touring opportunities for U.S. performing artists.
PADX launched in September 2022 thanks to a new partnership and $300,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) which facilitates relationship-building with international partners and provides travel support for delegations of artists and other performing arts professionals to participate in overseas conferences and events.
PAD FUNDERS
