Day Three of the 2008 NAMM Show

The third day of the 2008 NAMM Show drew thousands of music products professionals to the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center, where they checked out the newest gear, networked with industry members and watched live product demos by musical celebrities.

Many attendees saw a morning performance by Trumpets R Us and a second presentation of NAMM’s Milestone Awards recognizing industry companies in the business for 50 years. Alan Friedman and Danny Rocks moderated the morning’s NAMM University Breakfast Session, “The Retail Apprentice,” which featured panelists Russ Beacock, Jessica Freehling-Kazzie, Rosi Johnson, Kathi Kretzer, Joel Menchey, Rick Santos, Peter Sides and Myrna Sislen. Sides was the winner of this unique session, which presented team and individual questions relating to retail challenges, with the audience voting each time about which individual who should be “fired.”

NAMM Chairman Chip Averwater presided over this morning's Annual Meeting of Members, where Members voted in the new slate of the NAMM Board of Directors and recognized the outgoing Board Members.

NAMM University hosted several 20-minute, focused sessions and an hour-long presentation in the Idea Center, addressing topics including Internet marketing, hiring practices and summer music programs, all with solid tips for success.

The packed show floor demonstrated strong attendance by buyers from around the world.

“It’s the fourth time that I’ve come here, and this is particularly good,” said Vanessa Landron, woodbrass.com, Saint-Herblain, France. “I found many interesting products, and it’s a good show for me—many more [innovative products] here. I’ve been buying already a lot of things."

Along with the major representation of global media outlets, this year’s show is also being documented on a blog at www.youtube.com/thenammshowchannel.

Interested parties may log on to this site to view video of show happenings, products and people. Some of the day’s celebrity appearances included Stevie Wonder, Dave Navarro, Billy Corgan, Paul Stanley, members of Slipknot and Slayer, and Daniel Puder of UFC fame.

While the halls were filled with music on stages, the show day closed with the sounds of the Suburban Legends, as attendees headed out to a night of industry concerts and events around Anaheim.

The 2008 NAMM Show runs through tomorrow, Sunday, January 20, at the Anaheim Convention Center. For more information and news updates, interested parties may visit www.thenammshow.com.