101st NAMM Show Opens in Anaheim

Continuing its long history of success, the 101st NAMM Show opened today, bringing together a record 1,309 exhibiting companies, a record number of international attendees and thousands of retail buyers for the music products industry’s largest annual event in the United States.

Show organizer NAMM, the International Music Products Association, expects to attract approximately 65,000 attendees over the four-day period, possibly exceeding its record attendance last year. The show, which runs today through January 19 at the Anaheim Convention Center, is open to members of the international music products industry and media who cover musical instruments and products.

After a solid sales year fueled by increasing positive perceptions about the value of making music, attendees of this year’s NAMM Show can preview the latest music products headed for retail shelves in 2003, and learn ways to make their businesses more successful in the coming year through NAMM University seminars, roundtable discussions and conversations with industry colleagues.

“In a year filled with challenges, more people around the world turned to music and music making,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “Research has shown that making music can help a child reach their full potential in school, help older adults achieve significant health benefits and provide meaningful fun and recreation at all ages. They say you can tell the relative health of an industry by the strength of its trade shows,” Lamond continued. “By that measure, the future of music making is bright indeed!”

New in ’03
This year’s show will include a special concert to benefit NAMM’s music education charities on January 17 at the Anaheim Pond featuring Sir Elton John, hosted by “Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack and a wealth of artists including Vanessa Carlton, Ray Charles, Nikka Costa, Amy Grant, Bruce Hornsby, Jewel, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, John Mayer, Michael McDonald, Brian McKnight, Randy Newman, Take 6, Rufus Wainwright and Brian Wilson. Out on the floor, NAMM Show attendees can also expect to see a very diverse collection of musical gear, from traditional band instruments to the latest computer hardware and software for home-recording enthusiasts.