CLEARING UP CONFUSION SURROUNDING NEW MINOR POLICY AT NAMM SHOWS

| November 10, 2008

Recently, we’ve received some feedback from Members about the change in our badge policy regarding minors attending our trade shows. We’d like to take a moment and clear things up.

First and foremost, NAMM recognizes and appreciates that our industry is very much a family-oriented business and many of our industry’s leaders grew up attending the NAMM shows from an early age. We wholeheartedly support the families in our industry and want to see these future leaders attending the NAMM Shows, both now and for years to come.

The new badge policy was put into place to reduce the non-industry attendees under the age of 16 who simply have no business connection with the show. These minors can typically be found collecting autographs, jamming on display merchandise hoping to be ‘discovered,’ and, in some unfortunate cases, shoplifting. We ask that all NAMM Members please take a look at their badge lists and eliminate invitees (especially those under the age of 16) who do not have a legitimate business reason to attend.

So, as a quick summary, in the category of those welcome to attend:

•       Employees of NAMM Member companies – regardless of age

•       Family members of NAMM Members who will grow up to work in the business – regardless of age

•       Endorsed artists – regardless of age

Note: For those family members and employees under 16 who you would like to have attend, please place them in an employee badge. When they get to the show, you will have to sign a minor release form for them. Only Members in red or blue badges can sign the minor release form for their family member(s). Forms will be available at the Information Counter and in Registration.

Those not welcome to attend:

•       Anyone under 16 who does not have a business-related reason to attend the show

Finally, we’re sorry for any confusion this badge policy change may have caused. We want your NAMM Show experience to be the best it can be, so you can conduct your business without additional noise, congestion or disruption. If you have any questions about this or any show-related matter, please let us know by calling NAMM at 800-767-NAMM (6266) or sending an e-mail to kevinj@namm.org. We look forward to seeing all of you at the 2009 NAMM Show in Anaheim!