By Shelley Barski
NAMM NEWS
A Platform for International Communities to Connect
The NAMM U Idea center is a hub for retail education led by NAMM members , for NAMM members .
International communities were more present than ever at The 2017 NAMM Show , which featured representation from 125 countries and regions , growing international pavilion areas representing eight country communities , and global media across TV , newspapers , radio , magazines , social media , and other outlets ready to share the latest info with buyers and enthusiasts worldwide .
International registrants turned out in force – a total of 17,964 to be exact – marking a 13 per cent increase over 2016 . For multi-national companies , the show provides a central gathering place .
Global Connections “ The NAMM Show gathers our industry as a global community , which in turn drives opportunity ,” says Joe Lamond , NAMM president and CEO . “ This event once again proved to be a stable , reliable platform for growth , both in business and in professional development , as well as in solidarity to share our common vision in creating a world of more music makers .”
NAMM could not continue to grow as a global powerhouse without the support of international communities across a variety of music and sound disciplines . The 3 per cent increase in exhibiting companies is a direct reflection of the expanded capabilities , innovations , and new ways in which people – and companies – are making music today . This trend was also demonstrated in new exhibiting brands , which accounted for a growth of 2 per cent over last year .
PHOTO : GETTY IMAGES FOR NAMM
“ It ’ s an international showcase for our products and it sets the bar for the rest of the world ,” says Stephen Schmidt of Casio . “ We have divisions in Brazil , Mexico , Japan , and more , and we all come to the Anaheim show to see the latest .”
Michael Skinner of DANSR Inc . agrees : “ We are an international company and NAMM allows us the ability to address the needs of our clients and customers in one place , and having the international companies here allows us to meet and have face-to-face conversations under one roof .”
Canadian Connections Canada continues to be the number one international community represented on the show floor with the largest number of exhibiting members and attendees . NAMM is grateful for the collaboration and partnership that a strong Canadian presence provides .
“ I came because of everything that NAMM represents – new ideas and innovation ,” says Eddie Fiore of House of Chords Music Centre in Milton , ON . “ It was a recommendation from a lot of the reps I work with and I thought coming here would definitely be a very beneficial thing for our business .”
International members discovered benefits in spades throughout the four days through a wide variety of networking events and receptions , nightly concerts from local and global talent , as well as world-class education , presenting the most relevant industry topics to exhibitors and retailers alike .
Strengthening Connections A strong commitment to future innovation continues to be a draw for international communities as well , where NAMM is the one-stop shop for the latest music and sound products and concepts , including virtual reality , artificial intelligence , and wearable technologies .
For the first time , The 2017 NAMM Show hosted training and certification sessions for the multi-channel , digital networking protocol Dante , which welcomed a capacity crowd . Software . NAMM , a showcase of music apps and technologies created in concert with IMSTA ( International Music Software Trade Association ), returned for its second year and featured top music software and app developers who were on hand to meet with prospective buyers and showcase their latest applications .
As the music and sound industry continues to evolve at a more rapid pace every year , The NAMM Show remains the stable , reliable business platform to gather the musical tribes from around the world , springboard innovation , and equip members for the demands of the future .
Looking to the future , The Summer NAMM Show will return to Nashville ’ s Music City Center from July 13-15 . Later in the year , NAMM returns to Moscow for Prolight + Sound Russia from Sept . 12-14 and NAMM Musikmesse Russia from Sept . 14-17 .
Crowds gather at the NAMM Nissan Grand Plaza for food , events , and concerts throughout The NAMM Show
The NAMM Show returns to Anaheim from January 25-28 , 2018 , with the new addition of the Anaheim Convention Center North Hall , providing an expanded NAMM campus and enhanced show experience for all international exhibitors and attendees .
To learn more about the expansion , visit www . namm . org / 2018-expansion . To learn more about NAMM Shows and the benefits of membership , visit www . namm . org .
Shelley Barski is the Content Manager for NAMM , the global not-for-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 .
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 19