MEDIA CONTACT:
Kymberly Drake
Public Relations Manager
NAMM
760-438-8007, ext. 162
Fax: 760-438-8257
e-mail: kymberlyd@namm.org

Scott Robertson, APR
Director of Marketing & Communications
NAMM
760-438-8007, ext. 102
Fax: 760-438-8257
e-mail: scottr@namm.org

NAMM OPENS FIRST MUSIC AND SOUND EXPO TO EDUCATORS AND THE MUSIC MAKING PUBLIC

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 16, 2004—NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today opened the Music and Sound Expo, the 102-year-old organization's first educator and public targeted show held in conjunction with the National Biennial Conference of MENC, the National Association for Music Education.

The new event was created to highlight the proven benefits of playing music while bringing together music educators, manufacturers and retailers of music products as well as the music making public. The Music and Sound Expo promises interactive workshops for parents and children; cool product demonstrations and two celebrity concerts to benefit music education.

"What began as a conversation between MENC and NAMM about how to maximize the strengths of each organization to benefit our members has manifested into this great week of activities in celebration of music," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "We have the honor of serving two very important segments of the music universe during this historic week."

NAMM's Music and Sound Expo will showcase more than 250 exhibitors and is expected to attract thousands of music educators and Minneapolis/St. Paul music makers over its three-day span. For more information about specific workshop times and news from the show, interested parties can visit www.musicandsoundexpo.com.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $16 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).