Music Products Industry Bands Together as 101st NAMM Show Closes

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced that some 67,601 industry professionals, a 4 percent increase from last year’s record-breaking registration, came to the 2003 NAMM Show in Anaheim to see the latest music products and learn new ways to improve their businesses.

The NAMM Show, the music products industry’s largest annual domestic gathering, wrapped up Sunday after four thrilling days of conference sessions, celebrity sightings, performances and exhibits, showcasing the hottest products the music products industry has to offer in 2003. This year’s show saw a phenomenal 15 percent increase in international registration and played host to the largest concert event in the show’s history: a star-studded tribute to Sir Elton John that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for NAMM’s music education charities.

“The NAMM Show has been really good for us this year by getting the right people to see our product that would not have seen it otherwise,” said Chris Donahue of Tradition Guitars. “The show was well attended and we got a lot of sales leads and new dealers out of our business here.”

“This year’s show has been outstanding,” said Doug MacCallum, vice president and general manager for AKG Acoustics, U.S. “At this show we’ve seen a great diversity of customers, and with our new trade show booth and new products, it’s been a winner of a show.”

Music retailers also seemed to be optimistic about the future. Peter Brunner, a buyer from The Music Box in Van Nuys, Calif., said, “The show’s been good. I’m amazed with all of the software companies here. I’m buying product and looking forward to a good 2003.”

Throughout the crowded aisles, show attendees and exhibitors gathered to hear, play and experience music of every style. Heavy traffic at the NAMM Member Success Center demonstrated the industry’s commitment to creating new customers from the earliest ages to older adults and seniors, as well as finding new ways to improve efficiency and save money in the coming year. In 2003, NAMM will be taking its music-making message to the Web with the launch of its new teen initiative, The Music Edge and supportmusic.com, a new Internet-based grassroots advocacy tool.

“In a year full of challenges, it is reassuring to know that so many of our Members had such a great show and are so full of hope and excitement for the future,” said Steve West, chairman of NAMM and president, West Music.

The music products industry’s next gathering will be NAMM’s Summer Session in Nashville, July 18–20, 2003. The 2004 NAMM Show will take place January 15–18 at the Anaheim Convention Center.