Founded in 1901, NAMM is the not-for-profit association that strengthens the $17 billion global music, sound and event technology products industry. Their association and their trade shows serve as the crossroads for professionals wanting to seek out the newest innovations in music, recording technology, sound, stage and lighting products.
Membership also includes access to the latest industry news and education, opportunities for music advocacy and cost-saving programs. All of these activities and programs are designed as part of what we call our ‘Circle of Benefits’ model to promote music making for people of all ages and to help create a more musical world.
During the last five years there have been hard events for the musical instrument sector. Many manufacturers or professionals expand their views to parallel sectors. Audio, event. However, it is necessary that strong companies (like NAMM Show) push and help the music sector.
What changes have you perceived in recent years about the musical instrument sector?
I see an interesting situation developing. On the one hand, technology is driving incredible innovation, electronic instruments, recording, and technology used in live events are better, faster and less expensive than ever. It also becomes obsolete quickly as the next model is even better than the last. And at the same time, I see an insatiable appetite for hand-crafted, custom made, beautiful instruments and gear that will last forever. I think there’s a careful balance, of what is new and hot, and advancing the ability to make music in a multitude of ways, while honoring the integrity of time-honored traditions and craftsmanship.
Is it about changes in the type of product, changes in the buyer, in the strategy, in the distribution channel itself?
There certainly has been a lot of change in NAMM’s 118-year history, it is hard to imagine that Thomas Edison had just recently patented the light bulb when we first started! So yes, the industry and its model for business continues to evolve, and in midst of all this change, we have viewed our role as a member-driven organization to be a trusted, reliable and predictable platform for our industry to gather. We believe it is the member companies of NAMM who make all the magic happen and we’re grateful for the trust they put in us to produce The NAMM Show on their behalf.
Are there expectations for manufacturers, distributors and professionals to strengthen their business in the sector? how?
There’s a natural cross-pollination which happens when the industry joins together at The NAMM Show: the opportunity to explore new concepts, new avenues of business and create relationships for future business means that together, these cross-market opportunities to better integrate, strengthen your business and your knowledge and leads to a phrase we like to use, ‘high tides make all ships rise.’
Do you find a relationship and synergy between the audio market, the event and the music sector?
The global music and sound products industry is a complicated and inter-related ecosystem. In my case, I’ve been a professional musician, worked music retail, done commercial installations and toured as a production and tour manager. I imagine that there are many industry participants whose careers have evolved over time but the glue that binds us all is our passion for music - and perhaps that’s the one thing that we’ve never forgotten, the importance of the music. In many ways, the NAMM Show is the crossroads of the industry, and a real-time reflection of it: Music is not made, sold or performed in a silo, and the growing use of technology in making, recording and performing music have led us quite naturally into this direction.
What kind of exhibitor, in professional audio, will we meet this year at NAMM? PA, consoles, structures, audio by network and technology?
With over 2,000 exhibitors and 7,000 brands, the spectrum of professional audio represented extends from products and technologies to support the home, hobbyist creator to full line array systems found in major concert tours; these will be demonstrated in the Anaheim Convention Center arena. The incredible innovations from exhibitors of products, software and technologies will be on display – it’s truly mindboggling!
Given the connection with the scenario, at present, does NAMM present manufacturers or solutions related to lighting, led and video walls? or is it left out of the activity of the fair?
The short answer is YES! As the crossroads of the industry meet at NAMM, we’re seeing more and more systems integrators, lighting designers and manufacturers coming together to find those end-to-end solutions across The NAMM Show floor. Our relationship with ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, offers professionals in this field access to best-in-class certification, sessions and networking events for the industry.
Regarding seminars and training. How does The NAMM Show plan to help the visitor in the training?
Our relationships with A3E, AES, the Audio Engineering Society (AES), the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), Audinate’s Dante Certification and Training program, and our TEC Tracks education offers members professional, world-class education designed to enhance or accelerate their careers. For someone working in the pro audio, live sound space or event technology, it’s a great opportunity to come, learn new lessons and applications, and see the latest gear from top-name manufacturers on the Show floor. In the case of event technology, to participate in a variety of classes and/or in one of four areas of ETCP certification with ESTA. With over 400 education sessions scheduled, I would be hard pressed to pick just one! For members seeking to expand their repertoire and to learn from expert presenters through the carefully curated sessions that they will find the opportunity to do so at The NAMM Show.
How does NAMM help the manufacturer? And the distributor? Sales, training, showcase, business ideas?
Business ideas and inspiration can be found by attending one of the NAMM U sessions, starting each morning with a Breakfast Session, which focus on the big-picture strategies designed to share best-practices and impart business inspiration. On Thursday, we’ll host “Breakfast of Champions,” with surprise guests to explore the concept of originality and deliver the insight and inspiration to help NAMM members navigate the future. On Friday, leading futurist and innovation expert Daniel Burrus will unpackage “what’s next” in music retail; and on Saturday, marketing, sales, and branding expert Scott Stratten addresses the “disruption” factor and how trust, connection, consistency and service to your customers are what wins in a hyper-competitive environment with “How to Win in the Age of Disruption.” On Sunday, “Best in Show,” led by Upbeat Daily and Music Inc. Publisher Frank Alkyer and a panel of retail store owners and professionals will share their product picks from the Show floor.
Following each Breakfast Session, the idea generation continues in the NAMM Idea Center. Located in the lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center, NAMM U will offer more than 40 different sessions all day through show hours. Sessions feature thought-provoking ideas, tips and tricks proving successful in retail today, and strategies designed jump-start innovation. Industry leaders and subject experts will cover a range of topics, including “Decoding Google: Advanced Strategies for Businesses,” “YouTube Hacks for Music Retailers,” “How I Grew My Lesson Program to 1,000+ Students,” and best practices in finance, employee engagement, increasing foot traffic, merchandising and more.
For those retailers and distributors seeking a competitive edge Wednesday, January 23, before the Show officially opens, members are invited to attend the new Retail Innovation Summit. The all-day Summit will present a future-forward experience, hosted by world-renowned retail guru Bob Phibbs, “The Retail Doctor.” Phibbs will cover the top trends, including the new technologies, retail shifts and more shaping the customer experience, and offer solutions to scaling business to meet them.
What will the visitor find exclusively in the NAMM 2019?
It seems to me that some of the most important aspects of The NAMM Shows are found in the creative and often unbelievable efforts of our member exhibitors. The energy that they invest in bringing their own training, along with the unbelievable parties and concerts create some of the most memorable moments at NAMM. I suspect this will be the case again in 2019.
Are there new things this year at your event?
To me the most important development at this year’s NAMM Show is the total focus on the attendee experience. People travel from around the globe to southern California to enhance their business goals and to build their careers and be more successful. Everyone who comes to The NAMM Show has access to a gold mine of information, education and inspiration. Each show starts like a blank piece of sheet music and our members and staff build it from there. Our world is constantly changing, faster and faster it seems, I’ve been going to NAMM for 37 years now and no two shows have ever been alike
Any comments that you want to add for all the music and show lovers that follow the ISP Music and ISP Audio & Light Magazines around the world?
We welcome all industry members to The NAMM Show. And while the investment is not inconsequential, and possibly includes a very long flight, I personally believe it will propel each and everyone who comes to greater success in the year ahead.
