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Summer NAMM Marks Return to In-Person Events for Music & Audio Products Industry
From business-advancing professional development sessions and member-focused networking events to the latest in new gear , industry friends and colleagues reconvened in Nashville in mid-July for Summer NAMM ; the first in-person event for the industry in 18 months .
“ This Summer NAMM was the industry gathering that needed to take place , our first since the start of the pandemic . I ’ m grateful to the intrepid NAMM members who came to meet with their industry partners and to improve their knowledge and competitive advantage . It sure seems to me that they will have an edge in this rapidly changing marketplace ,” says Joe Lamond , NAMM president and CEO .
The week-long gathering , which took on a pandemic protocoldictated size and approach , welcomed fellow industry associations the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants ( AIMM ), the Event Safety Alliance ( ESA ), the Music Achievement Council , the National Association of School Music Dealers ( NASMD ), Retail Print Music Dealers Association ( RPMDA ), and Show Makers in co-located yet socially distanced conferences and events .
In total , 5,671 NAMM members representing a cross-section of buyers , dealers , and commercial members in music products , pro audio , and technologies took part in the conference , which convened more than 700 brands represented by nearly 300 exhibitors .
TEC Tracks harnessed a future-focused program to help professionals in the audio space meet the opportunities of today and to prepare for the future . Topics included “ Live Sound Post-COVID : Interview With Blackbird ’ s John McBride ” with Mark Frink , interviewing John McBride of Blackbird Studio and Blackbird Academy ; “ How Recording Studios Can Thrive Through Disruption ,” with Sean Giovanni , producer , engineer and owner of The Record Shop ; “ Cross-Cultural Issues and Solutions in the Music Industry ,” presented by Public Enemy bassist and producer Brian Hardgroove ; and “ The Future of Livestreaming ” with VYE CEO Maggie Seidel-Laws , Fireplay CEO Nick Whitehouse , and Peter Sotos from Epic Proportions Tour .
As well , the Event Safety Alliance ( ESA ) and Show Makers held a special two-day session series called “ Road Ready : Preparing for Your First Tour .” Curated for touring professionals , the sessions shared the latest in reopening strategies , safety , mental health , and more .
The music instrument , pro audio , and entertainment technology industries will again gather from Jan . 20-23 at The 2022 NAMM Show in Anaheim , CA . Registration will open in the fall .
For more information , contact NAMM : 760-438-8001 , www . namm . org .
PHOTO : GETTY IMAGES FOR NAMM
CITT / ICTS Rendez-vous Returns to Digital Sphere in August
Much like the 2020 edition , CITT / ICTS ’ s Rendez-vous 2021 conference , themed “ Stay Connected ,” will be a mix of lively virtual roundtables and panel discussions on current topics related to the industry along with educational sessions and the renewed showcase of products and services .
Over the course of the three-day online conference , from Aug . 10-12 , starting at noon EDT each day , attendees will take in series of presentations on topics ranging from theatre architecture and virtual reality to immersive sound , basic drawing techniques , and team management , among others . At the TEC Talk virtual meetings , technical expertise will be shared related to AV integration , lighting , staging , pro audio , special effects , video mapping , virtual reality , business solutions , or any other relevant topics . The 90-minute panel discussions will bring together a main presenter or moderator with guest speakers around a timely topic . The roundtable discussions invite more participants to get involved in the discussion to share ideas and perspectives .
At the Product & Service Showcase , participants will get to “ show and tell ” their products and services to conference attendees . Presenting is free for the association ’ s corporate members , and a PDF document with all the featured products and services will be made available for download after the event . As well , popular events from previous years like the Swag Bingo night are also slated to make a return . This year again , registration to Rendez-vous 2021 is offered on a “ pay what you can ” basis . CITT / ICTS says it recognizes the enormous effect of COVID-19 on the production industry and the associated loss of work many organization members are experiencing . As such , a number of options for payment are available , including free .
For more information , contact CITT / ICTS : support @ citt . org , www . citt . org .
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