Insights, Ideas and Strategies for the Next Decade: The 2020 NAMM Show Announces Professional Development Sessions

Sitting at the heart of the industry’s crossroads, The 2020 NAMM Show has announced more than 300 professional development sessions for emerging and established professionals from all sectors of music products, pro audio and entertainment technology. Held at the NAMM U Education Center inside the Anaheim Hilton and in the NAMM Idea Center in the lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center, professionals will have the opportunity to further their careers by connecting with top thought leaders and through experiencing sessions designed to engage and inspire business growth and success against the backdrop of the global gathering.

NAMM U: Lead, Market, and Build an Experience Worthy of the New Consumer

Opening each day of the Show will be the NAMM U Breakfast Sessions in the Pacific Ballroom, inside the Anaheim Hilton. On Thursday, January 16, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond will host “Breakfast of Champions” with a panel of industry leaders and innovators. On Friday, digital marketing pioneer Ann Handley will address the fast-paced and always-on nature of modern marketing and answer the question, “Is ‘fast’ really the best path to drive marketing transformation at your business?” as she presents “Transformative Marketing.” She’ll reveal why the companies seeing the most success in marketing and social media are those that slow down, do less and obsess over key areas. On Saturday, global customer-experience expert and musician Scott McKain will share the five key characteristics of iconic organizations in “How to Build an Iconic Business.” McKain will offer specific, practical steps for delivering the ultimate customer experience, creating distinction in the marketplace and taking your business to the next level. On Sunday at “Best in Show,” led by Upbeat Daily and Music Inc. Publisher Frank Alkyer, a panel of retail store owners and professionals will share their product picks from the Show floor.

After each Breakfast Session, the tools, tips and tricks to advance business continue in the NAMM Idea Center. There, retail professionals can experience nearly 50 sessions designed to inspire individuals and grow their businesses with proven strategies. Industry leaders and subject experts will cover a range of topics, including “7 Steps for Online Marketing Success,” “How to Turn Web Visitors into Sales Opportunities” and “How to Amplify Your Visibility With Google Ads” to “10 Management Hacks for Every Music Retailer” and “Lessons Learned from NAMM’s Dealer of the Year” award-winners, among many other topics.

Before the Show officially opens, on Wednesday, January 15, retail members are invited to register and attend their choice of the Retail Innovation Summit or the Retail Financial Summit. At the Retail Innovation Summit, best-selling author, sales, and marketing expert Marcus Sheridan – previous host of two standing-room-only NAMM U Breakfast Sessions – will walk attendees through the changing behavior of consumers, and strategies to deliver in business. At this Summit, attendees will discover how the shift in buying will influence sales and marketing in the retail music business going forward and what types of content and messaging do and don’t move the revenue needle. He’ll also reveal how to integrate video effectively into your sales and marketing efforts, and how you can set up an in-house media company at your own business to increase traffic, both online and in-store. /thenammshow/2020/educational-sessions/nammu/retail-innovation-summit

At the Retail Financial Summit, financial gurus Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. will provide the critical financial training all music retailers need to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace, while looking at new trends and developments that are certain to impact your business, including new financial trends, regulatory updates and changes in sales tax and labor laws. Registration required: /thenammshow/2020/educational-sessions/nammu/retail-financial-summit

The Future Is Hear: A3E, AES Academy at NAMM, Dante and TEC Tracks

More than 200 pro audio sessions await emerging and established professionals from all aspects of production and performance, presenting myriad opportunities to grow their careers in preparation for the future of all things sound.

At A3E: The Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange, the future is now with a series of 13 sessions and nine workshops to explore how advanced audio applications are transforming the music industry, production and performance. Future-focused sessions include “The Future of Game Audio: Music and Sound Design for Mobile Gaming,” where A3E will explore the tools and techniques that are specific to mobile gaming, and survey the landscape of opportunity for audio developers, musicians and sound designers; “The Future Musician: Inside the Art of Generation Z” explores the latest production trends, applications and marketing strategies that empower Gen Z to showcase their talent; and "The Future Indie Artist: New Technology for Independent Success," which will focus on emerging technology that every gigging musician must know in order to maximize their revenue.

AES Academy at NAMM(formerly AES@NAMM) returns for its third year, with hands-on training, technical presentations and career development from leading pro audio experts. In total, 11 Academy subject areas—Audio Education, Audio Career, Control Room, Electronic Dance Music (EDM), House of Worship, In-Ear Monitor, Line Array, Live Console, Microphone, Measurement and Optimization, and Wireless Academy—will be presented by top thought-leaders, including Sylvia Massy, Leslie Ann Jones, Karrie Keyes and Mark Frink, among others. At the popular Main Stage: Studio, acclaimed producer, engineer, author and technologist Bobby Owsinski returns to offer practical advice and insider tips for improving recordings and mixes, along with insights into the recording arts and studio etiquette backed by decades of experience, and at Main Stage: Live, AES Academy attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry-leading FOH mix engineers in an intimate, casual and extremely informative series of events. Registration for an AES Academy access pass is required to attend AES programs and tracks./thenammshow/2020/education/aes

On Thursday and Friday at the Show, Audinate, the maker of Dante, returns with three training courses spanning two days, designed for all levels of users of the popular media networking technology. On Thursday and Friday mornings, a newly developed hands-on session “Dante Working Knowledge” will teach the basics of Dante networking, the different ways products can be structured, and offer tips and tricks on Dante Controller. On Thursday afternoon, “Dante Certification Levels 1 & 2 Consolidated” will prepare attendees for the Dante Certification test. (Attendees new to Dante should take the morning Dante Working Knowledge class, as well.) On Friday afternoon, “Advanced Networking for AV Professionals” will cover topics appropriate for enterprise-grade networks, including Layer 3 routing, organizing devices in domains, securing devices and helpful tools for troubleshooting. Registration required: https://www.audinate.com/about/news-activity/events/dante-training-namm-2020-anaheim-ca

For audio pros seeking big-picture sessions with big names, TEC Tracks will uncover topics ranging from “Mastering Mastering” to “Recording Vocals Outside of the Studio” with world-famous producer/engineers Ken Caillat, Hernan Rojas, Joe Chicarelli and special guests as they discuss their favorite vocal mic chains in getting optimal sound in less than optimal settings. Other highlights include “Making Virtual Instruments Sound Real,” with award-winning producer/mixer/engineer Robert Venable (Twenty One Pilots, MuteMath, Kelly Clarkson); “Elise Trouw, Up-Close and Personal,”as interviewed by Steve Baltin, where she will discuss the melding of live instrumentation and electronic music through looping, the ability to be a one-person show using technology and how this plays into being a touring artist; and “Pensado’s Place Live!,”where Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick welcome an all-star panel of top names in the industry.

Other special sessions include super-producer Jack Douglas on the Latest Beatles’ Studio Reunion, interviewed by Public Enemy’s bassist Brian Hardgroove to get the inside story on how John Lennon’s ballad “Grow Old with Me,” originally released in 1984, was recently covered by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, with Joe Walsh on guitar, and a “Birth of a Record Special Ed-ition: Remembering Ed Cherney.” Hosted by Mr. Bonzai, the session will honor the highly talented and skilled engineer and producer with stories behind his work from his many industry friends.

On Saturday, TEC Tracks will also include a special five session track dedicated to house of worship professionals, and cover topics ranging from “Mastering the Integration of Multitracks and Pads” to “The Trajectory From Worship Leader to Worship Artist,” led by experienced industry professionals from Worship Musician magazine.

Entertainment Technology Expertise: ESTA, Pro Production Sessions from FOH and PLSN, and Lighting&Sound America/PLASA

A suite of sessions for entertainment technology professionals, curated by ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association), along with The Pro Production Sessions, presented by Front of House, Projection, Lights & Staging News and Stage Directions magazines, and Lighting&Sound America/PLASA, will be offered over five days at The 2020 NAMM Show.

Beginning on Wednesday, before the Show opens, ESTA will offer a two-day training, “Stage Electrics: Clean, Safe Power for Audio, Video and Lighting,” presented by Richard Cadena. ESTA’s Lighting & Electrical track also offers professionals the chance to learn from world-renowned concert lighting designers Susan Rose and Daunte Kenner, and electrical experts from some of the world’s preeminent entertainment technology companies will speak on the NEC, standards, electrical safety and working with your AHJ. Other ESTA training tracks include Rigging, Safety and Lighting Networking, qualifying established professionals for free ETCP renewal credits. Presenters in the ESTA certification include Bill Sapsis, Eric Rouse, Paul Sapsis, Elmer Veith and Bruce Darden; IATSE’s Kent Jorgensen, Alan Rowe, Eddie Raymond and Joe Aldridge; and in the Lighting Networking track, Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence and PLASA), Paul Kleissler (City Theatrical) and Sam Kearney (ETC) will talk control protocols, wireless, ethernet networking, protocol troubleshooting and more. /thenammshow/2020/events/education/esta

The Pro Production Sessions, presented by Front of House, Projection, Lights & Staging News and Stage Directions magazines, will bring the leading names in entertainment production together to delve into the forward-looking trajectory of production and entertainment technology during insightful conversations and panel presentations. Among the highlights of the Pro Production sessions will be the opportunity to hear from some of the leading creative minds working with the top musical artists out on the road today. Don’t miss “10 Years of Spectacular Creativity at Silent House,” where all four design partners—Baz Halpin, Tamlyn Wright, Cory FitzGerald and Alex Reardon—share an insightful look at their work with such artists as Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Pink, Khalid, Jennifer Lopez, The Jonas Brothers, Childish Gambino and the Py1 Pyramid: Through The Echoes project. Other must-attend sessions include the Sightline Design Group's Stan Crocker, Seth Robinson and Bobby Grey presenting “For Musicians and Managers: How to Work With Designers,” offering an in-depth discussion of the relationship between the musician and designer, as well as the questions and considerations for finding the right collaboration; and “Everything Is for Broadcast,” a talk about the challenges of designing for social media and livestreams and how to capture live shows for broadcast without hurting the live experience. Plus, Pro Production will feature two great talks sure to be full of expert advice, first with the highly acclaimed producer Kevin Lyman and then a conversation with 2019 Parnelli Visionary Award honoree Michael T. Strickland, founder and chairman of Bandit Lites.

Additional professional development opportunities include sessions from The NAMM Foundation’s GenNext, a collaboration between The NAMM Foundation and The College Music Society that brings college music students and faculty to The NAMM Show for exclusive programming with access to career and professional development opportunities, including Saturday’s Careers in Music Summit featuring trumpet soloist Jonathan Dely; Music Education Days, which offers music teachers and school administrators informative sessions, inspiring performances and the opportunity to preview the latest instruments, products and tools; and The Nonprofit Management Institute for music nonprofits, the Foundation’s partner and grantee organizations, presenting the best practices in nonprofit administration.

To view the complete education schedule, please visit: /thenammshow/2020/education

All professional development sessions will take place at the NAMM U Education Center at the Hilton Anaheim, located next door to the Anaheim Convention Center, with the NAMM Idea Center located in the lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center. AES Academy requires a registration fee, with all other sessions open to NAMM Show attendees. Additional education schedules will be released shortly. For further information or to register for a badge to attend, please visit NAMM.org.