2012 NAMM Show Opens In Anaheim

The NAMM Show, one of the largest music products trade shows in the world hosted by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), opened today at the Anaheim Convention Center, welcoming an expected crowd of 90,000 musical instrument manufacturers, retailers, associates and their invited guests from all over the world to the industry’s annual gathering.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the legendary trade show and is the meeting place for musical instrument retailers to view and purchase the latest musical innovations being shown by more than 1,400 manufacturers.

The estimated economic impact of the 2012 NAMM Show for the Orange County, Calif. economy is nearly $80 million.
Key indicators including overall pre-registration, number of pre-registered buyers, international registrants, number of exhibiting companies and total exhibit space sold have all shown solid increases over last year’s event, another positive sign demonstrating steady industry recovery following the economic downturn.

Themed “Make It Count,” the 2012 NAMM Show’s educational sessions will place the spotlight on innovation and ingenuity in the music products industry, highlighting music product manufacturers and retailers that have instituted new and creative ways to maintain successful businesses amidst an economic downturn.

“We’re grateful to once again bring the global music and sound industry together in Anaheim for the NAMM Show,” said Lamond. “This is truly the ‘crossroads’ of product and business innovation and our members will have the opportunity to see the latest in gear, attend world-class education sessions and network with friends and peers. Our mission is to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of music making, and this event is the perfect example of our mission in action.”

Innovation was abound at a Media Preview Day event held yesterday at the Anaheim Convention Center, highlighting the never-before-seen musical instruments, apps and technologies of the future, which will be available to the public in 2012. The products were hand picked from more than 1,400 NAMM Show exhibiting companies. Also open to the media was the adjacent Music App. & Gaming Pavilion, highlighting the newest innovative technologies for making music. The day featured the appearance of celebrity talent including Brian Wilson, John Mayer, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Michelle Phillips, and Gov. Mike Huckabee.

The doors opened to industry professionals this morning the same way it has for the past 42 years—with a traditional welcome performance by the Fernand L. Petiot All-Industry Marching Band, led by NAMM Members and special guests this year Gov. Mike Huckabee and Michael Butera, executive director at the National Association for Music Education. Considered by the industry to be the “Grand March to the Exposition,” the marching band walked the main lobby and isles of the trade show, energizing attendees for the event to come.

Starting today the show will provide attendees with numerous business and networking opportunities; retail and marketing expertise from top professionals at the daily Breakfast Sessions and NAMM University presentations; myriad celebrity sightings of musicians demonstrating instruments; countless musical performances from early in the morning until late into the evening; and inspiring new ideas and approaches for their businesses.

The show will once again feature a Hands On Training (H.O.T.) Zone for industry members interested in the newest developments from the recording, live sound, DJ, house of worship and stage and lighting industries. In addition, the Hand-Crafted Instrument Pavilion will celebrate how instruments are crafted from beginning to end and Lounge 88 will offer tailored education sessions to piano dealers from around the world.

Entertainment can be found in every corner in Anaheim during the NAMM Show, and will include:

Friday, Jan. 20
On the Main Lobby Stage NAMM will present the “Living Legends Jam” featuring Bob Berryhill (The Safaris), Dennis Tufano (The Buckinghams), John Payne (Asia), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Scott Warren (Dio), Roger Fischer (Heart), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Pete Lockett, Roger Wheeler (Sweet Reasons), Jeff Pevar (Starship, Joe Cocker), Richie Castellano and Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult), Doug Rappoeport (Edgar Winter Band), Joey Mollandj (Badfinger), Christy McKinnon, Teddy Zig Zag (Guns & Roses, Alice Cooper), Koko Powell (Spencer Davis, Edgar Winter), Jeff Ganz (Johnny Winter, John Lee Hooker), Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Terry Hous (XYZ, Great White), Robin McAuley (Survivor, MSG), Jimy Shons (Shadows of Knight), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Alan White (Yes, Plastic Ono Band), Denny Seiwell (Wings, Art Garfunkel, James Brown), Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot), Chris Slade (AC/DC, Asia).

Also on Friday, NAMM will co-host the “John Lennon Educational Tour Bus 15th Anniversary Celebration” at the Arena Plaza featuring an exciting performance by Bootsy Collins & Friends including Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Bernie Worrell.

Friday will also feature the 27th Annual TEC Awards in the Pacific Ballroom at the Anaheim Hilton featuring Phil Collen, Lisa Loeb, Weird Al Yankovic, Bernie Williams, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Billy Sheehan, Will Lee and Bootsy Collins with the Les Paul Award being presented to Steve Vai. Tickets are required for this event and can be purchased at 27thannualtecawards.eventbrite.com.

Saturday, Jan. 21
On the main Lobby Stage, NAMM will proudly present the 2nd year of its “Celebrity Jam” featuring the Band from TV. Stars including, Scott Grimes, James Denton, Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, Bob Guiney, Jesse Spencer, Anthony Ruivivar and others will show how much they love to play music when the cameras stop rolling.

Also on Saturday, over at the Downtown Disney District, will be the finals of NAMM’s SchoolJam USA bringing together the best teenage bands in the country to battle for bragging rights and prizes for their band and their school music programs. The event is co-hosted by teen pop sensation Greyson Chance and singer/songwriter Shaun Barrowes.

On Saturday evening, attendees are encouraged to discover their inner musician and join the annual Drum Circle hosted by NAMM outside the convention center.

And on Sunday, NAMM will host its second annual Uke Circle and encourage people to experience how fun it can be to play an instrument.

For more details and information about the NAMM Show and for further event information, visit http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2012.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion 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).