Day Four: Industry Professionals Wrap Up Business at the 2010 NAMM Show

Day four of the 2010 NAMM Show brought music products professionals to the Anaheim Convention Center for one final day of meetings, networking, education and music. 

The NAMM University Breakfast Session began with music from the Ontario High School Percussive Chairs. In addition, NAMM’s Director of Marketing and Communications Scott Robertson presented Wanna Play? Awards to companies that feature music products in their advertising and in turn, inspire people to make music.

Awards were given to California Milk Processor Board for its Battle for Milkquarious ad; Kaiser Permanente for its Kabuki/Thrive TV ad; Blackberry for its Rock Band/Love What You Do TV ad; Pantene for its Chrysalis/Violin TV ad; General Electric for its Duet/Imagination at Work TV ad; Herbal Essences Totally Twisted for its Rocker/Twisted TV ad.

Company representatives Mark Chesney of GE and Angela Zepeda of Campbell-Ewald for Kaiser Permanente were present at the ceremony to accept their Wanna Play? awards.

Many attendees caught the final NAMM University Breakfast Session to find out the show’s must-see products selected by the panel. “Best in Show—This Year’s Hottest Products” was moderated by Frank Alkyer and industry panelists.

Prior to show opening, the lobby was filled with the music of Steel Pan Palooza, as another day of live performances began throughout the convention center.

Roland held its seventh annual Roland Worship Summit, featuring performances by Rick Muchow of Saddleback Church and Riverphlo recording artist and gospel legend Andrae Crouch.

NAMM University hosted its final sessions in the NAMM Idea Center on topics such as social media for beginners, how to navigate Twitter, the power of YouTube, how to get found online, and a special double session exploring the impact of Bob Moog’s work on the music industry’s past, present and future.

The day also featured an industry panel session examining the trends in music education. In addition, Symphony Publishing announced the winning products in the first-annual Best Tools for Schools Awards.

Professionals in the pro audio and house of worship industry participated in the Hands On Training (HOT) Zone available throughout the show for people in this market. More than 15 industry partners, publishers, organizations and associations in the live audio, house of worship and stage and lighting industries offered a series of free special training seminars, face-to-face meetings, networking opportunities, and one-on-one mentoring to strengthen the knowledge base of industry colleagues.

“We had a great time,” said Frankie Lee, contemporary worship director at St. Peters By the Sea. “I went to two seminars and they were extremely informative. The exhibit floor was so overwhelming—wow. I am already looking forward to next year and attending several days instead of just one.”

"Thank you so much for including worship leaders in this year's events," said Julie Koenemann, director of music and worship at Faith Lutheran Church and School. "The classes in the HOT Zone were such a blessing. I already used things I learned this morning."

On the show floor, buyers visited booths for a final look at the newest products from exhibitors. 

Many exhibitors were optimistic for the year, based on buyer response to new products and show floor traffic.

A special lobby performance by the Mariachi Divas brought the 2010 NAMM Show to a close.

For more information and news updates about the 2010 NAMM Show, interested parties may visit www.namm.org/thenammshow/2010.