Day Two of the 2005 NAMM Show

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, kicked off the second day of the 2005 NAMM Show with a well-attended early-morning NAMM University breakfast session at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.

The panel discussion, "The Increasingly Changing Demographics of Your Customers: Where Do We Go from Here?' was moderated by industry expert Bob Popyk and featured a group of industry insiders. NAMM U presented two other hour-long seminars throughout the day, in addition to 11 shorter, more focused sessions held at the Idea Center within the exhibit hall.

Just before show opening, the Wicked Tinkers put on a high-energy performance in the Anaheim Convention Center lobby. This unique musical group has become a NAMM Show favorite, providing morning entertainment at each show during the past few years.

Once the doors to the exhibit halls opened, crowds took over the floor for a second day of business meetings, informational sessions, product demos and celebrity sightings. Several famous musicians made appearances, including Carlos Santana, Peter Frampton and Dave Navarro, as well as R&B musician/songwriter John Legend, who performed on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage.

A constant stream of participants and onlookers swarmed the NAMM International Fastest Drummer booth, where competitions are being held through Saturday. The final heats for the titles of “Fastest Hands” and “Fastest Feet ” will take place Sunday.

Live music was found throughout the day on performance stages around the show area—the outdoor stage, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage and finally at the Annual All-Industry Drum Circle, which drew hundreds of participants at the close of the show day.

As the show closed for the day, exhibitor from around the globe expressed positive feedback on the first two days of show.

“The show has been very good—far better than we expected,” said Peter Tune of Moeck Musikinstrumente + Verlag, Celle, Germany. “There’s quite a lot of new dealers who have contacted us, so there’s been a very positive resonance to the show up to now.”

Pam Shelley of Pikcard USA in Chatsworth, Calif., reported excellent sales for her company, which has only been in existence since July 2004. “We can’t believe how much business we’re getting. It’s been fantastic. This is the best place to just get as many people gathered to see your product in one place, instead of hunting them down or spending money on marketing and cold calls. This is by far the best way to make as many contacts as possible. We couldn’t be happier.”