Opening Session: Best in Show

The second day of 2021 Summer NAMM kicked off with "Best in Show," a roundup of the biggest products, services and technologies on the exhibit floor. Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, moderated a panel of top music retail judges as they revealed their winning picks. They also weighed in on why they chose particular products, sharing sales tips and potential customers for this gear. The panel included Geoff Metts of Five Star Guitars, Robert Christie of A & G Central Music, Leslie Stirm of Instrumental Music Center and Tim Spicer of Spicer's Music.

Here's a complete list of winners.

Best Accessories and Add-Ons
Taylor TaylorSense Guitar Health Monitoring System, Mezzanine B
Avantone Pro Planar Red Headphones, Rad Distribution, Booth 100
D’Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap, Booth 1000
Earasers, Persona Medical, Booth 220

Gotta Stock It
Guitar Pillow, Booth 1631
Third Man Hardware, Booth 1535
Ortega QuantumLoop, Booth 907
D’Addario XS Strings, Booth 1000

Companies to Watch
Third Man Hardware, Booth 1535
Podium, Booths 706, 724
American Way Marketing, Booth 608
Tagima Guitars, Booth 1222

Best In Show
JackTrip Labs, Booth 501
Analysis Plus QiJack, Booth 201
Orion OBN-221 Plastic Bassoon, Booth 405
BaldMan Percussion, The Stank Foot, Booth 1679
Taylor American Dream Series Guitars, Mezzanine B