2004 NAMM Summer Session Leaves Nashville on a High Note

The 2004 NAMM Summer Session closed Sunday, July 25, reporting a grand total of 23,198 registrants, a slight increase over last year’s record-breaking attendance of 23,047. NAMM, the International Music Products Association, produced the three-day music products trade show, which occupied the Nashville Convention Center and parts of the adjoining Gaylord Entertainment Center.

The show hosted 516 exhibiting companies, a slight decrease from last year, demonstrating music products and accessories of all types with all of the excitement and flare of a NAMM trade show. NAMM attributes the decrease in exhibitors to its decision to close the Gaylord Entertainment Center arena floor to exhibits, citing increasing Member dissatisfaction with that location.

Exhibitors and dealers reported strong sales and positive show experiences while enjoying the slower pace of Summer Session to establish and reinforce face-to-face relationships. Show-goers also attended many activities before and after show hours, including the Pre-Show Party at The Hang, a free concert by the Spin Doctors, Muriel Anderson’s All-Star Guitar Night and the popular Gospel Music Pancake Breakfast.

“Our sales volume was increased substantially over last year,” said Dennis Houlihan, CEO, Roland Corporation US. “It was a great last show in Nashville for us and we can’t wait for Indianapolis.”

“We decided to bring the employees this time—we brought 30 out of 46 employees,” said Victor Himbaugh of Doo Wop Shop, Louisville, Ky. “We went to the pancake breakfast this morning. That was awesome. And we’ve been walking around the show and everything. We bought a bunch of stuff here. We went to two different days’ worth [of NAMM University sessions]. It was all good.”

“Although the decision to leave Nashville was difficult, we’re grateful that so many of our Members had such a grand finale to our successful 12-year run here,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “NAMM’s primary motivation in everything we do is to listen and work very hard to create the right show experience for them. Because of that, we’re always looking for feedback to make the Summer Session the right size in the right location that will translate to business success for our association Members.”

NAMM reinvests the majority of its trade show revenue to fund programs, initiatives and activities that benefit the music products industry. This “circle of benefits” model provides NAMM with the resources to fulfill its mission of creating more active music makers worldwide.

The 2005 NAMM Show will take place January 20–23, 2005, in Anaheim, Calif., and the 2005 Summer Session is scheduled for July 22–24, 2005, in Indianapolis, Ind.