SOCAN was a sponsor of Vancouver’s New Music West 2008 conference and festival, held May 14-18, and also sponsored a showcase May 14 at The Media Club – which included performances from SOCAN members StereoBuss, Elias, Carmen and Camille, Sweetheart, Ammonia Stars and Shukov. During the conference portion of the event, SOCAN presented two workshops: “Alternate Tunings for Guitar” with Michael Friedman, and “Songwriting Techniques” with John Mann (formerly of Spirit of the West).

CCMA Songwriters of the Year 2007 Aaron Pritchett and Mitch Merrett (see photo) played at the 604 Records showcase on May 15, while various SOCAN publisher members were also in attendance throughout the conference: Cheryl Link from Peermusic Canada, Tanya Coghlan from EMI Music Publishing Canada and Elizabeth Spear from Olé were all out and looking for new songwriting talent for their respective rosters.

Attending the festival and conference on behalf of SOCAN were Kent Sturgeon, Lynn Ross Deviller, Terry O'Brien, Aidyl Jago, Sara Pavilionis, April Lebedoff and Sue Irving.