By Michael Raine
TIME FOR A REUNION
THE 2022
NAMM SHOW
Well , we ’ ve all waited a long time for this . Speaking personally , if there ’ s one work-related event I ’ ve missed most these last two years , it is without doubt The NAMM Show . The cool products , the live music , the chance meetings with interesting strangers , and the old friends and colleagues you rarely get to see elsewhere . Maybe more than anything , it ’ s just the energy of the whole thing . Nothing else really compares . And given the pent-up energy and desire for human connection we all have these days , I ’ m willing to bet that this year ’ s show will be off the charts in that regard .
And so , we ’ re happy to finally be able to bring back our annual NAMM Show preview . All the old favourites from NAMM Shows past will return from June 3-5 ( and there ’ s a lot going on June 2 nd , as well , as you ’ ll see ) at the mammoth Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding hotels . But , given that there is no Summer NAMM this year , you ’ ll notice some key elements of that show have been brought into the fold . So , let ’ s take a look at some highlights , and also get the lowdown from NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond , and NAMM Director of Professional Development Zach Phillips …
NAMM SHOW + One of the biggest changes to The NAMM Show in 2022 will come in the digital sphere . For the first time , select content and experiences from The NAMM Show will be shared through a new , unified , and interactive platform called NAMM Show +. It will be accessible 24 / 7 on mobile or desktop in order to bring some of the fun , networking , and education found around the NAMM Show campus to folks who can ’ t make it to Anaheim . It will also help those at the show catch up on some of the stuff they missed . The platform will be powered by Swapcard , the AI matchmaking platform behind NAMM ’ s Believe in Music . The digital experience will offer exhibiting brands a variety of opportunities to enhance their digital presence and connect with more customers , media , and influencers .
NAMM Show + will allow brands to extend their reach on and off the show floor . In-person attendees will have opportunities to be more productive on The NAMM Show campus , while attendees unable to physically attend will be able to experience aspects of the show virtually . Each exhibiting brand at The NAMM Show is receiving a complementary Basic NS + brand page . Brands have a variety of virtual offerings , upgrades , and sponsorships to choose from , including brand page upgrades , priority exhibitor listings , sessions and event sponsorships , sponsored notifications , sponsored group chats , and more .
Elsewhere on NAMM Show +, viewers
will be able to livestream select education sessions and special events , or catch up on the recorded content afterwards .
RETAIL INNOVATION & FINANCIAL SUMMITS Thursday , June 2 nd at the Anaheim Hilton
Being held a day ahead of the opening of The 2022 NAMM Show , retail leaders , managers , and professionals are welcomed to participate in two half-day intensive training experiences — the Retail Innovation Summit and Retail Financial Summit . Each summit will provide the tools and strategies to successfully surmount the residual challenges of the pandemic and boost business for the future .
The Retail Innovation Summit will be led by retail expert , consultant , and trainer Bob Negen . He ’ ll explain the “ omni-experiential ” future and what MI retailers must do to profit from it . Topics explored will include how-to lessons on using content marketing to build and expand your customer base ; using authenticity to attract the ideal customer ; best practices in live , social selling ;
PHOTO : GETTY IMAGES FOR NAMM
20 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE