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Note from Joe
The award-winning author Eric Hoffer once observed, “In times of change, learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”
While Hoffer didn’t intend this quote to describe our current economic times, it certainly fits. You don’t have to look too far in today’s headlines, your retirement statement or your last month’s sales reports to see that times are tough. We’ve been here before. While younger NAMM Members have heard the tales, those who’ve been around a while have seen times as bad as these or worse…and lived to tell about it.
In our history we’ve seen the Great Depression, multiple recessions, world wars, extinction of entire instrument categories and the invention of new ones. Iconic brands have come and gone. Through it all, NAMM Members have shown guts and determination. NAMM Members are survivors.
So why quote Hoffer? Because it’s been said that when the business world goes through a major seismic shift, the economy that emerges doesn’t look anything like the economy we started with. To determine the next direction, our industry needs to “come together” to chart a course for the future. And that’s what the NAMM Show is all about.
Those who invest in learning by coming to Anaheim this January will be best suited to thrive in the new world in which we find ourselves. Our economy is changing, and we may actually find ourselves in a better place than we ever envisioned—where people become life-long music makers, play music with their families and value the proven benefits of music education. And this holiday season, NAMM has implemented more market development programs, activities and public relations campaigns to create demand for our industry’s products than ever before.
So turn off cable news and don’t believe your morning paper. Go into your business today with the pride of knowing how music making benefits people of all ages and that you’re part of the greatest business in the world.
See you in Anaheim!
Joe Lamond
President and CEO, NAMM