Debut of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia lays groundwork for future success

The highly anticipated launch of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia brought together the latest music industry products from 190 companies from across 18 countries with industry professionals and music lovers in Russia. The new trade shows offered full line presentations from the musical instrument, professional equipment, publishing, modern lighting, sound and installation technologies industries.

A higher than expected total of 6275 visitors including industry professionals,manufacturers, distributers, retailers, media and more attended the debut music product trade shows NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia in Moscow 16-19 May 2012.

“The first edition of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight +Sound NAMM Russia saw a constant flow of visitors from all segments of the industry. For many exhibitors, this event is their first step in the market. The show helped them to develop a better understanding for the MI-industry in Russia. Thanks to our cooperation with NAMM the show delivered an extensive fringe program. We are very happy with the results of this first event and look forward to the second edition in May next year,” said Detlef Braun, member of the Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH executive board.

"Most NAMM manufacturer members and global brands in our industry are seeking out growth opportunities in new markets,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “Exhibitors told us that they were able to do productive business, deepen relationships with existing contacts and make new contacts during their four days in Moscow. Work on the 2013 shows has already begun, with key exhibitors indicating their commitment to work closely with us to grow these events into the future.”

State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russian Federation, Mrs. Ekaterina Chukovskaya congratulated participants on the debut during the official opening ceremony, “The Ministry of Culture granted the official support for both shows as we see a great potential here! This is a very important event for the Russian music market and culture. We hope that after seeing such a variety of modern products and services presented by the exhibitors from all over the world will impress the local representatives of business and will contribute to development of music industry in Russia.”

Brands represented at NAMM Musikmesse Russia included the leading global manufacturers: Yamaha, Roland, Gibson Guitar, Yamaha, Alhambra, Hal Leonard, Inside, PianoDisc, Karl Hoefner, Grotrian, Music Sales and many others. Exhibitors share their experience at the debut events:

“The show was a great opportunity for us to learn about the Russian music market,” said Doug Lady, senior vice president of Hal Leonard. “We had productive discussions with potential new partners in the retail and distribution markets, as well as possible publishing partners. With Russia emerging quickly on the world trade scene, we feel this show was an essential opportunity for Hal Leonard to take part in this inaugural year."

“We’ve met our regular clients, experts of the industry, professional and amateur musicians at our booth in at the show,” said Maxim Strashelyuk, Head of Sales Department, Roland Russia Ltd. “For a first edition, the quantity of visitors was good and the event was organized on a high professional level with helpful noise control. The concept of the show was well accepted by the local market. I can see a great future for this show!”

“I’m glad that we participated in the Russia show. The premiere was very good! I’m satisfied with the quantity of visitors at our booth,” Anton Kuznetzov, Branch Director, Music Land.

“There were not only professional and amateur musicians trying out our instruments, but also new business contacts and our current clients.”

In addition, local distributors were on hand to represent Pioneer, Boss, Ernie Ball, Mapex, Tycoon, Markbass, ESP Guitars, Torque, Jupiter, Casio, Hohner, Inside, Mayonez Guitars, Nux, Regeira and Kawai. The visitors were impressed not only by the variety of brands and instruments, but also by the opportunity to touch and test the latest instruments and equipment.

Admirers of classic instruments enjoyed the rare opportunity to see an original masterpiece violin built by Antonio Stradivari, an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments. The instrument was created in Cremona in 1718 at the height of Stradivari’s "golden period.“ Also featured was a collection of sheet music featuring hand written scores by famous Russian composers on loan from The Russian Museum of Music Instruments.

The show was full of surprises not only for classical musicians and music lovers. The highlight of the event’s public day was an autograph session with Zakk Wylde, founder of heavy metal band Black Label Society and guitar player for Ozzy Osbourne. Zakk presented Gibson guitars to attendees in the audience.

Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia exhibitors included Adam Hal, Indu-Electric Gerber, Clay Paky, Microtech Gefell, Prolyte Group, Martin Pro and more. Leading brands such as Ashtone, Allen & Heath, L'Acoustics, Christie, Robe, Osram, Montarbo, Electro-Voice, Coda Audio and Hughes & Kettner were presented by distributors.

There were over 50 educational and business seminars catered to a wide variety of attendee. Importers, representatives of retail trade, heads of concert halls, conductors, sound and light directors, festival and concert organizers, music teachers, students, amateur and professional musicians stepped in to share their knowledge and talents with attendees during these sessions.

Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia presented several feature events including a session on the latest developments in lighting equipment with Sofitlight, a contest for lighting solutions hosted by Martin Pro, an annual award ceremony for sound directors and a series of seminars covering modern sound technologies.

Business programs at NAMM Musikmesse Russia were highlighted by a special edition of NAMM University. Russian retailers attended the NAMM U sessions for a series of classes lead by international and Russian industry experts who shared their stories of success.

Piano Days organized by the Russian Association of piano tuners introduced the latest piano technologies lead by international masters and representatives from piano producers. Additional master classes and interactive seminars included speakers and teachers from Casio, Yamaha, Modific, A&T Trade, ‘Learn Music’ project, Moscow State University, Moscow State Music Institute, Culture Department of the city of Moscow and many others.

“Restoration of music instruments – the key trend in protection of musical cultural inheritance” featured a round table organized by the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation and State Museum of Music Instruments.

“Colisium” held on two afternoons during the shows consisted of sessions focused on music media, marketing and new opportunities for the promotion of music. There was also a charity aspect to the event with “Music of Hands,” a concert benefitting International Children Day.

Part of the proceeds from the shows will be reinvested back into the industry through professional development courses to support development of the Russian musical instruments and technologies market and to initiate future advocacy efforts to ease trade regulations with Russia.

For more information about the audience, benefits, and the services available at NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia and to sign up to exhibit at or attend either of the trade shows in May 2013, please visit www.namm-musikmesse.ru or www.prolight-namm.ru.

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About Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 457* million euros in sales and 1,769* active employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international sales partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2011, Messe Frankfurt organised 101 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com.
Preliminary numbers (2011)

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies located in 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.