NAMM News
By Luke Walton
SUMMER NAMM :
We ’ re Better Together !
Summer NAMM is back ! With vaccinations on the rise and businesses reopening across Nashville , we look forward to creating a safe and sensible gathering to reunite our community this July for the first time in 18 months .
From expanded aisles to an adjusted schedule , the event will look a little different this year , featuring a curated group of exhibitors and attendees , focused on business , relationships , and our recovery .
We look forward to welcoming you to this reimagined market week , prioritizing safety and business .
TUESDAY , JULY 13 For the first time , the NASMD ( National Association of School Music Dealers ) will co-locate its annual convention with Summer NAMM .
“ We are really looking forward to hosting our NASMD 2021 convention in conjunction with Summer NAMM in Nashville . While so much has changed in the past year , the desire to gather as an industry sharing best ideas and practices has not . Budgets are tight , and by connecting with NAMM , NASMD members will get double the bang for their buck ,” says Whitney Brown Grisaffi , president of Ted Brown Music . “ We ’ ll still have the wonderful opening gala and a full day of sessions with special guest speakers . Plus , attendees will then have the opportunity to explore Nashville and experience Summer NAMM !”
WEDNESDAY , JULY 14 Additional buying groups and organizations are making plans to convene in Nashville prior to the show , and the annual Worship Musician Summer NAMM Hang will attract house of worship professionals .
“ Summer NAMM ’ s relaxed atmosphere gives me and my team a chance to fully see our vendor ’ s new products ,” says Melissa Ceo , business development manager at C . A . House Music . “ We appreciate the ability to sit down with our reps and strategize our orders for the coming months . Summer NAMM ’ s pace allows me to accomplish many tasks on my to-do list while also feeling energized and motivated when I get home !”
“ It is great to see the modern worship community leaders involved with each NAMM Show . So many of the touring artists and well-known worship leaders are based out of Nashville and their participation in endorsee relationships and the new gear being released is an important one ,” adds Bruce Adolph , publisher of Worship Musician ( WM ) magazine . “ These worship musicians are influencers like none other . We will greet them wholeheartedly at Summer NAMM at our exhibit booth ! Hope to see you there too !”
@ THURSDAY , JULY 15 & FRIDAY , JULY 16 Join us on the show floor for two businessfocused days . Safely demo new products , connect with the industry and media , and network in this more exclusive , physicallydistanced setting .
The announcement of this year ’ s TEC Awards nominees on July 15 th will likewise reunite and bring media attention to the pro audio community .
And be sure to reconnect with the industry at the annual Top 100 Dealer Awards on Thursday evening .
In order to maximize your ROI , show hours have been expanded and will now go from 9 a . m . to 6 p . m . on the Thursday , and 9 a . m . to 5 p . m . on the Friday , with opportunities to set meetings before show hours .
“ Summer NAMM fuels our imaginations and helps us find new ways to make money , or , as they would say in the Idea Center , ‘ fresh revenue streams ,’” says Allen McBroom , owner of Backstage Music . “ After the 2020 roller-coaster , we need the energy , the excitement , and the creative renewal we find at Summer NAMM . We don ’ t just want to go to Summer NAMM ; we need to go to Summer NAMM .”
NAMM ’ S SAFE & SOUND PLAN As we look forward to welcoming our industry to in-person events , NAMM is committed to hosting events that are as safe as possible .
NAMM is working closely with the city of Nashville and local authorities on a detailed plan utilizing the latest event safety and security measures to create a safe and sound , business-conducive environment to reunite our communities at 2021 Summer NAMM .
Updates to the show will include : •@ Reimagined floor layout : wider aisles , more space to physically distance , and outdoor networking areas
•@ Physical distancing : There will be more space for all at the Music City Center •@ Face coverings : Working with all attendees to help keep each other safe •@ Sanitizer stations : Conveniently located around the Music City Center
•@ Touchless experiences : New solutions to minimize physical contact and protect attendees Learn more at www . namm . org / summer .
NASHVILLE IS GOOD TO GO Nashville is also preparing to host our industry . Good to Go is a hospitality safety program created by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp ., in cooperation with Vanderbilt Health , Ryman Hospitality Properties , and SERVPRO , to help businesses in every industry implement health and safety guidelines . They have been working since May 2020 to welcome guests back to their city .
Luke Walton is the marketing manager for the National Association of Music Merchants ( NAMM ), the global notfor-profit trade association representing 9,000 manufacturers and retailers of musical instruments and sound products . NAMM ’ s mission is to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music .
16 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE