NAMM Marks 5th Year of Hosting NAMM University Sessions at Music China Show

 NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced that it recently hosted its fifth consecutive NAMM University professional development sessions for show attendees at the 2010 Music China Show in Shanghai Oct. 12–15, 2010. The association has also announced that it will continue to host the annual educational program at the Music China show for an additional five years.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the overall NAMM U program, which included eight hands-on “How To” training sessions featuring leading Chinese, U.S. and U.K. retailers, manufacturers and distributors who shared their best business practices from an international perspective. Standing-room-only events included sessions on music teacher training, and lessons learned from the “Great Recession” in the United States.

In addition, the NAMM U lineup featured a “Pearls of Wisdom” interview session panel discussion providing insights from six industry insiders from around the globe. Interviewees included Manuel Rodriguez, Jr. of Guitarras Manuel Rodriguez and Sons, S.L.; Sheng Zifei of Medeli Electronics, Co. Ltd.; Liu Weiming of TianMu Music; Hap Kuffner of Hap Kuffner International; and Zeng Zemin of the China Musical Instrument Association.

This year’s panel session stimulated lively question and answer sessions, as the interviewees shared their personal experiences and vision for the future of the music products industry.

“It’s good to know that, for many Music China show visitors, attending the NAMM University sessions is fast becoming a must,” said Betty Heywood, director of international affairs at NAMM. “The program offers attendees a collective understanding of the global music products industry and how to incorporate best business practices in their own businesses by learning from their peers. We’re very pleased to work collaboratively on this effort with the organizers of Music China and that they support this opportunity for learning on behalf of their attendees by financing these sessions out of the show proceeds.”

“The renowned NAMM University sessions drew hundreds of attendees who were eager for the latest information from professional speakers from all over the world," said Evan Sha, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt Shanghai Co. Ltd. "NAMM provides an educational platform at the show, bringing the most successful Chinese retailers to share their expertise and experiences. It brings a synergy effect to both NAMM and Messe Frankfurt, as the quality of visitors is increasingly more professional.”

NAMM also announced that it will continue to be an International Cooperation Partner of the show for an additional three years. Organizers of the Music China Show include the China Music Instrument Association, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. and INTEX Shanghai Co., Ltd. For more information about NAMM University at Music China, please contact bettyh@hamm.org.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international musical instruments and products industry. 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. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).