Day One of 2010 Summer NAMM
Day One: The Music Products Industry Celebrates the Local Community Music Store, Supports Flood Relief in Nashville
NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, opened the 2010 Summer NAMM trade show today at the Nashville Convention Center.
Many attendees kicked off their show experience at last night’s Ninth Annual Pre-Show Party at The Hang, where attendees enjoyed free food and drinks, and greeted each other while watching performances by fellow NAMM Member company’s Weekend Warrior bands with musicians of all ages.
“I love to see young musicians work,” said Scott Peck, Pecknel Music, Greenville, S.C. “Live music is a huge part of my life and what we do. I always come to here to reacquaint with the people I’ve seen, many of whom I associate with over the course of the year at various other events. It’s always good to see each other and have some fun.”
This morning’s NAMM University Breakfast Session opened with music from the Wooten Brothers, in a rare appearance by all five brothers, followed by NAMM President/CEO Joe Lamond’s discussion of the recent flood with bassist Victor Wooten, whose Wooten Woods Bass Camp was affected by the floods, yet has worked tirelessly to give humanitarian aid to people who suffered total losses. Nashville Mayor Karl F. Dean and MusiCares Executive Director Debbie Carroll also spoke about community efforts to help those who suffered major losses.
Lamond then began the “State of the Industry Address,” a discussion a the current business climate, new trends, challenges and opportunities with a panel consisting of Denise Brassé of the National Retail Federation, Mark Dobosz of SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business, Brian Majeski of Music Trades magazine, Alan Friedman of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. and Kevin Cranley of Willis Music Company.
The halls opened for buyers to meet with their suppliers, check out new exhibitors and experience product demonstrations of musical instruments, equipment, software and services.
“It’s been great—a lot of great displays, I’ve discovered quite a few guitar companies, I’m just taking it all in,” said David Johnson, Fanny’s House of Music, Nashville, Tenn. “I’d never been to a NAMM show before, so I thought I’d definitely come check it out.”
NAMM hosted booths to support Nashville flood: GRAMMY Foundation's MusiCares booth held a silent auction with Member-donated instruments with funds to benefit musicians impacted by the floods, and Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257 collected donations of instruments, gear, teaching materials and equipment for students and musicians in the Nashville area to replace items lost.
NAMM U offered 10 sessions throughout the day, starting every 30 minutes in the NAMM Idea Center, providing helpful sales, marketing, finance, retail and lesson program tips for business owners. The NAMM Idea Center was also the place where attendees could pose for pictures with Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster throughout the day.
At day’s end, many exhibitors were already off to a positive start.
“It’s been wonderful,” said Bing Futch, Folkcraft Instruments, Woodburn, Ind. “We’ve had a lot of flow coming past the booth, a lot of interested people and made a lot of sales on the first day, which is very good, so we’re excited.”
The evening's events included the BIG Gear Giveback at the Hard Rock Café Downtown, raising money for flood victims, as well as many musical performances and events at venues around the city.
Tomorrow's highlights include a NAMM University Breakfast Session, “Driving Customer Traffic and Sales in This Economy with Destination Principles” with Jon Schallert. Cookie Monster will be at the show for more photo opportunities. All attendees are also welcome to participate in the NAMM All-Industry Drum Circle held in the 3rd Floor Lobby of the convention center at 5:45 p.m.
For more information, interested parties can log on to www.namm.org/summer/2010 and visit the Photo Gallery for new pictures each day.