Day Two of NAMM Show Provides Opportunities to Learn, Save and Contribute to Music Education

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, opened the second day of its 2003 trade show yesterday with several early-morning NAMM University sessions for attendees. Speakers addressed topics ranging from budgeting and customer service to marketing and staff motivation. NAMM U’s schedule also included informational panels, along with a powerful keynote session by Donald Cooper—“The 90-Minute MBA: 10 Things You Must Absolutely Know about Your Customers, Your Business and Your Life.”

A lively performance by the Wicked Tinkers kept attendees entertained as they waited for the show floor to open. A crowd gathered as this group of musicians belted out tunes on a bagpipe, a didgeridoo and drums.

The entertainment continued inside the exhibit halls with several booth appearances throughout the day by high-profile musicians, including Carlos Santana, who delivered a message of peace through music. However, the day’s real excitement was geared toward the anticipation of last night’s event—The 2003 NAMM Concert Honoring Sir Elton John: A Benefit for Music Education, presented by Yamaha. At the show, John, joined by a star-studded lineup of performers, received Yamaha’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides the celebrity appeal of the concert, proceeds from ticket sales benefited the American Music Conference and NAMM’s other music education charities: the International Foundation for Music Research and the Museum of Making Music.

“I believe so much in what the American Music Conference is doing, and I wanted to support that,” said Christine Stevens of Remo, Inc. “I think it’s a great way to combine stars, fundraising—especially with the eBay promotion—and the idea of all of us getting together and enjoying a fabulous concert with an amazing lineup.”

Along with professional development and music education, NAMM also stands for another issue of importance to its Members: saving money. This year, NAMM negotiated lower rates at Anaheim-area hotels during the show. However, attendees staying at the Hawthorne Suites got an unexpected surprise when they arrived—they ended up saving even more money than originally planned. The hotel management put an $89 rate on the Web during the show dates—a significant savings from the established $125 conference rate—and the hotel happily extended this lower rate to attendees staying at their hotel. Members can look forward to more of NAMM’s efforts to cut costs at this year’s Summer Session in Nashville, Tenn., July 18–20, 2003, where the association negotiated hotel rate reductions of 8 percent to 20 percent.

The show moves into its third day today, featuring a full schedule of NAMM University sessions, celebrity appearances and, of course, much more business to be conducted.