The Annual Tribute- A Community Comes Together

A first NAMM Show experience is pretty powerful—aside from the countless products and people, there is a warm family feeling present. You see hugs between competitors and drinks shared by friends who see each other every year at this time—some for 20 years and more.

It was at his first show when NAMM Resource Center/Librarian Dan Del Fiorentino strolled by a booth and saw a small photograph taped to the display case. It was a sales rep for the exhibiting company who had passed away that year. As Dan read the message under the photo, a man in the booth said, "The show is not the same without him." The feeling is shared by many who have come to realize that the NAMM Show is not just about business and pleasure—for many it is a family gathering and when a member of the family is no longer with us we want to gather together to pay our respects.

The first tribute program was held in 2003 when Dick Dale was asked to play acoustic guitar to a slide show of photographs while invited guests—friends and coworkers—took a moment to collectively remember. From there, it has grown in size and meaning thanks in large part to NAMM's Director of Trade Shows Kevin Johnstone, Video Director Pete Johnston, Archivist and Records Manager Tony Arambarri, and the L.A. Scots bagpipe band.

Please join us for this year's tribute, at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, in the main lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center, to celebrate the lives of those who passed since the 2011 NAMM Show. We will gather to remember...as a family does.