News and Updates for NAMM Trade Show Exhibitors
Anaheim Update: Parking on Show Days—NEW!
The single biggest change at the upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim will be preferred parking passes to the parking lots adjacent to the convention center. In recent years, the lots have been filling up early in the morning and Buyers have had to park in outlying lots. In some cases these Buyers have gotten frustrated and given up trying to attend. To address this situation, NAMM will be issuing a limited number of VIP parking passes to Exhibitors and Buyers. The goal is to make sure that Buyers are able to find a convenient parking space on show days.
Each exhibiting company can request one (1) VIP access pass for the parking lots at the Anaheim Convention Center. To access these VIP car parking lots, you will need your Exhibitor badge and VIP parking access pass. VIP passes are limited and parking lots fill fast.
Exhibitor parking passes will be available for pickup at Exhibitor Registration beginning January 15–January 17 and does not include the cost of parking.
Please note:
You still have to pay for parking. This pass only provides access when there is space available.
The parking pass must be accompanied by a red badge and a matching photo ID. Buyers will be getting their own parking passes.
Parking access passes must be displayed and visible.
Yellow badge holders will need to seek parking at one of the Disney parking lots or one of the other off-site options.
For more information, please e-mail parkingpass@namm.org or watch for more details in your badge mailing.
Badge Holders
As reported in last month's Exhibitor Express, you can throw away your old colored badge holders. NAMM is now printing the color directly onto the badge. The only rule about badge holders now is that the entire front of the badge must be clearly visible and must be worn at all times AND you will have to produce a matching photo ID more frequently than in the past. So, use any badge holder you'd like as long as we can see the entire front of the badge. If you have any questions, contact Ken Longenecker in the NAMM Registration department.
VIP Buyer Access
This experiment has worked well also! We will continue to allow exhibiting companies to issue VIP passes and give them to Buyers and Distributors who have scheduled meetings before show hours with Exhibitors.
Here are the guidelines for the VIP Pass:
- Valid only for use by a Buyer wearing a Blue Badge with matching photo ID.
- Allows a Buyer access only to the booth listed on VIP Pass for a scheduled appointment.
- Not a general exhibit hall pre-show pass.
- Exhibitor staff must be in booth listed for VIP pass to be valid.
Performance Request Deadline
December 1 is the last day requests will be accepted for performances at the Anaheim Convention Center or the lobbies of the Marriott and Hilton!
To request consideration for a performance time, we require a letter from the Exhibitor, on their company letterhead, addressed to Kevin Johnstone, Director of Trade Shows at NAMM. Demo materials on the performers must accompany the written request. Included in the letter should be any information that will help us in scheduling, such as times the performers are not available, preferred times, etc. Performance stages are provided for performances only. Submissions that appear to be "product demonstrations" will not be considered. Requests must be received no later than December 1, 2006.
After we receive the materials, we will review all requests and schedule as time and space permits. Notification of performance slots—or rejection—will be made by December 15, 2006.
Celebrity Booth Appearances and Security
NAMM will assist in escorting a significant artist from the perimeter of the convention center to the exhibitor's booth. We will also assist if a significant artist wants to walk around the show floor.
Security inside of the booth and for line control, if the line ends up outside of the booth, is the responsibility of the exhibitor. There is an order form in the exhibitor service kit for Staffpro security. The exhibitor kit can be downloaded as a PDF file at www.thenammshow.com.
Further, if NAMM needs to place guards because security wasn't ordered or, in our determination, security is inadequate, the exhibitor will be responsible for all costs and the hourly rate will be considerably higher than the advance order rate.
Please contact Staffpro Security for assistance with your booth security, line control and other security needs.
Please contact NAMM's show office for assistance in escorting to the booth as soon as you have firm dates and times.
Have You Received Your 2007 Summer NAMM Prospectus?
Check your mail for the 2007 Summer NAMM Prospectus. That's right—the Prospectus is on the way to you, as it's already time to plan for next year's Summer NAMM, July 27—29, 2007, in Austin, Texas. The "Live Music Capital of the World" sets the perfect scene for our industry's second gathering, drawing buyers anxious to check out the latest music gear and products by day and catch the hottest music and entertainment by night. There are many new opportunities to help boost every exhibitor's success at 2007 Summer NAMM, including new exhibitor-to-dealer product and sales training opportunities in meeting rooms to supplement your exhibit space at no additional charge; new efforts by NAMM to draw more key buying and sharing groups to the show to enhance the number of quality buyers and qualified leads, just in time for the holiday selling season; new, enhanced NAMM University sessions designed to bring in buyers you might not see otherwise for increased brand visibility; and a new after-hours event to entertain you and your industry peers. Plus, Austin is a great destination for our industry's event because it's home to a number of industry companies, stores and studios, and it's packed with places to catch musical performances of every genre, each night of the week.
We got our first taste of success in Austin last year, and invite you to join us again for 2007 Summer NAMM, when we'll reunite for great business
and good times.
If you haven't received your Prospectus, or if you have any questions, please call us at 800.767.6266 (760.438.8001 for international callers) or e-mail tradeshow@namm.org. The 2007 NAMM Prospectus is also online now at summernamm.com.
Anaheim Improvements
There is a lot going on to make Anaheim an even more exciting place for NAMM. In December 2006, the Anaheim Convention Center will complete a $4.1 million landscape improvement project along Convention Way, as well as the area in front of the Arena off of the Katella Avenue entrance (including a fountain centerpiece). A crosswalk between the Marriott and Hilton will also be in place, making the transition between the hotels more convenient.
Looking into the future, the Anaheim Garden Walk, a unique outdoor shopping and dining experience within walking distance set among beautifully manicured garden walkways, continues construction with a completion time of Fall 2007—well in advance of NAMM's return in 2008! Check out www.anaheimgardenwalk.com.
