Day Two of the 2008 NAMM Show

The second day of the 2008 NAMM Show drew crowds to the Anaheim Convention Center for business meetings, product demonstrations, networking and live music.

Many show-goers began the day at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel for the NAMM University Breakfast Session. Before the session began, attendees saw a lap steel performance by Bill Walker, the presentation of NAMM's Milestone Awards by NAMM President/CEOJoe Lamond to industry companies with more than 75 years in the business, and an announcement by Disney's High School Musical actress Olyesia Rulin about the NAMM Foundation's grant program recipients that will receive money to put on their own production of High School Musical.

More than 950 people attended the morning's Breakfast Session, "The BIG Issues: Time & Money," which was hosted by Bill Hinely and featured panelists Carol Cook, Mike Farrell, Alan Friedman, John Giovannoni, Jen Lowe, Tom Nessen, Myrna Sislen and Aaron Soriero.

Show opening included musical entertainment in the lobby as thousands of people waited to hit the show floor for a second day of product launches and business meetings. Off the floor, the NAMM Career and Internship Event connected Member company representatives with music business students looking for opportunities in the industry.

"We love the students that come here," said Tami Parker, Marshall Electronics, El Segundo, Calif. "We were here last year, did the same thing and had a lot of great results. We're implementing an internship program this year, and we're looking for fresh graduates. The president of our company loves students who are passionate and are looking to grow and expand and be trained and cross-trained so that they know which areas they want to go into."

The crowded show aisles pleased exhibitors, whose booths were packed with dealers.

"The NAMM Show is like advertising for us—the first time is great, but the more you do it, the better it gets," said Dale Baker, Full-On Management, Cleveland, Ohio. "Every year we get better representation with our customers. The more you see these people, the more they realize you're long-term in this business."
 

Celebrities spotted on the show floor included Kenny G, Ben Harper, Slash, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Bill Murray and members of Alice in Chains, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer.

The show closed with two major live music events: the annual All-Industry Drum Circle on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stage and the NAMM All-Star Lobby Jam in the Anaheim Convention Center lobby.

Saturday's events include the NAMM University Breakfast Session "The Retail Apprentice," along with more Idea Center sessions, live music and celebrity product demonstrations and autograph signings.

The 2008 NAMM Show runs through Sunday, January 20, at the Anaheim Convention Center. For more information and news updates, interested parties may visit www.thenammshow.com.