BRANDS REGISTERED
OCCUPIED EXHIBIT SPACE
ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR 2018
106,982
REGISTRANTS
7,000
BRANDS REGISTERED
Approx . 900K
SQ . FT .
OCCUPIED EXHIBIT SPACE
and having a handful of well-known drummers stop in just to casually shoot the breeze . On that note , Hall D , where most of the percussion products are featured , is often pretty full of “ big names ” just casually wandering and catching up with one another . As they say , “ nobody takes pictures of the drummer ,” and that probably works in their favour at The NAMM Show , where the high-profile drummers can hang freely while the virtually unrecognizable touring guitarist from Warrant will draw enough of a crowd in Hall B to clog up the aisles .
And on the note of clogging up the aisles , I had a few exhibitors share with me that they were seeing a lot more consumers and white badges on the show floor than usual , assuming the rise in numbers in recent years has largely been nonbuyers who ’ ve found their way into the show to take advantage of autograph sessions and get their hands on new gear .
I capped off Friday at the Levy ’ s Leathers booth , where CMT publisher Jim Norris was invited to draw the name of one lucky Levy ’ s dealer who would win the entire order they placed that day free of charge . That day ’ s winner was Jireh Supplies of Lawrenceville , GA . Good on them .
Friday night played host to the 32 nd annual NAMM TEC Awards , and while that gala has quickly earned its place near the top of the show ’ s extracurricular event hierarchy , I decided to sit it out . Maybe a mistake , though it certainly didn ’ t feel like one on Saturday morning …
After a proper breakfast , I hit the show on what ’ s typically its – and subsequently my – busiest day .
I did manage to eke out some time midday to check out the Grand Plaza – which is another way of saying take advantage of one of the many fine food trucks lining the closed-off street and enjoying some live music .
As part of Saturday ’ s TEC Tracks focus on recording , noted music journalist Mr . Bonzai and Aerosmith engineer and producer Jack Douglas discussed the process of recording the classic Aerosmith album , Toys in the Attic , and surprised the crowd with an unannounced guest panelist : Aerosmith co-founder and lead guitarist Joe Perry .
A new find for me and many was the premiere of the Boutique Guitar Showcase , a section of the show comprised of small “ micro-booths ” showcasing a collection of boutique instrument makers from around the world . The initiative was piloted and curated by a Canadian , Jamie Gale of Donovan Leah Guitars . Definitely a cool initiative that I hope returns .
Saturday night marked a return to the Marriott for Yamaha Canada Music ’ s Dealer Appreciation reception . It was great reconnecting with the Yamaha staffers and dealers that took part in the
dealer trip to China and Japan in the fall of 2016 over some cocktails and , as always , incredible food – lamb lollipops and giant sea scallops , anyone ? As usual , YCM president Kenichi Matsushiro delivered his annual address in both English and French – always appreciated by the bilingual crowd .
I didn ’ t go too crazy on the buffet , as I was lucky enough to land an invitation to join HHB Canada ’ s trip to nearby hotspot Il Garage for a meal with a group from Long & McQuade and some VIP recording pros , including Canadians Garth Richardson , Rich Chycki , and Douglas Romanow . Always a great group , great meal , and great late night hangs .
Sunday always feels like a breath of fresh air . The crowds have dissipated , my schedule loosens up , and I finally have the chance to wander and check out gear like any other music nerd lucky enough to land a NAMM Show badge .
I also stopped in on all of the Canadian exhibitors , including the guys from Empress Effects , who are celebrating a decade of business in 2017 .
Because of the weather outside – comprised again of heavy rain and wind – the traffic seemed exceptionally light , but few were complaining , including yours truly . It made for an easygoing day on the show floor that I quite enjoyed before setting off for the red-eye out of California and back to Atlantic Canada .
Despite my travel home being a total mess , the overall experience of The NAMM Show 2017 was a good one . I seem to have settled into a good groove over the last few years , balancing the excitement the show offers at seemingly all hours with the opportunities to make and re-establish connections and get all kinds of ideas on what ’ s facing the MI business as a whole in the coming months .
I ’ d personally like to see more Canadians coming down and capitalizing on the opportunity the show provides . We need to keep in constant communication as an industry , from coast to coast and from major manufacturers to small independent retailers . Chances to unite and share ideas and insights that can elevate our collective interests are fewer and farther between these days , and The NAMM Show is arguably the best .
I can ’ t say I saw any real “ game changers ” on the show floor , but as always , there was plenty of new gear , new people , and perhaps most importantly , new ideas that make the annual trip more than worthwhile .
See you in Anaheim in early 2018 …
Andrew King is the Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Music Trade .
200K
SQ . FT .
ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR 2018
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE • 29