Day One of 2008 Summer NAMM

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, hosted the first day of the 2008 Summer NAMM trade show today at the Nashville Convention Center.

Many attendees started their show at last night’s Seventh Annual Pre-Show Party at The Hang, where attendees enjoyed free food and drinks, and greeted each other while watching sets by fellow NAMM Member company’s Weekend Warrior bands. The night also included a special performance by Glory of Joann, the winners of the SchoolJam Germany competition.

“We love playing at the Pre-Show Party,” said Mark Maxwell of Mom’s Music in Louisville, Ky., one of the bands that took the stage. “It’s great to be around people you work with and get to jam with them. We’re a big music community in Louisville and that area, and this is just a great way for us to kick off NAMM in Nashville.” As for the show, Maxwell’s plans focused on education. “I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning and go to a lot of [NAMM U] classes I would expect, we’ll all do that. We do that every year. We love seeing the gear, there’s no doubt, but there’s so much to learn and that’s what we’re all about right now.”

This morning’s NAMM University Breakfast Session opened with music from the Ryan Holladay band, followed by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond’s introduction of the “State of the Industry Address.” The standing-room-only crowd listened to opinions on the current business climate, new trends, challenges and opportunities as discussed by Lamond and a panel consisting of Jack Stanyon, author of Challenges of the Future and president of EDGE, an independent marketing and communications consultancy; Pat Johnson, co-founder of Retail Owners Institute; Otto Papasadero, executive director of NARDA (North American Retail Dealers Association); Gordy Wilcher of Owensboro Music Center; Billy Bones of Sparrow Guitars (Canada); and Bobby Boyles of Oklahoma Vintage Guitars.

“America is small business,” said Lamond. “I believe in my heart that the pendulum is swinging, and there will be a rebirth.”

The halls opened for buyers to check out exhibits and product demonstrations of musical instruments, equipment, software and services. This year, The Club was a new exhibiting opportunity for people like Doug Fairweather of Lock-It & Rock-It, LLC in Dallas, Texas, to display and demonstrate his products.

“I’m in The Club and it’s great because it allows people who are just starting in NAMM to get kind of an entry point and get in there to meet a bunch of different people,” said Fairweather. “I’ve had a good time so far.”

NAMM University offered 11 sessions throughout the day, starting every 30 minutes in the NAMM Idea Center, providing helpful marketing and sales tips for retailers. The mid-day Lunch & Learn Presentation, “Case Study: An Innovator’s Perspective on Store Design,” presented by Gayle Beacock, drew several dealers looking for ways to revamp their stores.

“[The session] was good,” said Brad Connair of Taylor Band & Orchestra in Akron, Ohio. “We’re always looking for good ways to improve the image of our store. We just moved into a new location so we’re looking for some creative ideas for new inexpensive display units and that kind of thing.”

The NAMM Idea Center was also the place where attendees could pose for pictures with Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster throughout the day. Bob McGrath of Sesame Street also made a special appearance at the show, meeting with the Friends of Music Making, a group of music industry organizations working with NAMM to increase the opportunities for people to make and study music. McGrath later signed posters for attendees in the Idea Center.

At day’s end, many exhibitors were already off to a great start.

“The show has been very good for us,” said Glen Miller of Music Wizard in Boulder, Colo. “We recommend this to anybody out there looking at putting their products in music stores across the country. Nashville’s a great choice for this summer show.”

Tomorrow's highlights include a NAMM University Breakfast Session, "Guerrilla Retailing: Unconventional Ways to Make Big Profits from Your Retail Business,” featuring Elly Valas, co-author of Guerrilla Retailing and president and CEO of Valas Consulting Group, LLC. Cookie Monster will be at the show for more photo opportunities. All attendees are also welcome to participate in the NAMM All-Industry Drum Circle held in the third floor lobby of the convention center at 5:45 p.m.

For more information, interested parties can log on to www.namm.org.