NAMM Timeline

NAMM is born

Fifty Two members of the National Piano Manufacturers Association of America formed the National Association of Piano Dealers of America.

The first tradeshow

The first annual convention and trade show was held in the YMCA hall in Baltimore, MD. Membership dues were set for $5.00 per store.

Original members unite

The first annual meeting of the National Association of Piano Dealers was held during the convention in Atlantic City, NJ.

Fair freight rates

NAMM helped established the Fair Freight Rates for use in many New York conventions.

First membership benefits

NAMM published a booklet titled “Care of Pianos” and was given to each new member, our first member benefit besides entrance to the show.

Retail education

During the NAMM Show in San Francisco, CA., Charlie Chaplin put on a skit demonstrating proper piano sales techniques.

NAMM promotes music education

NAMM published a booklet entitled “Music in the Home” to promote private music lessons. NAMM’s main focus became music education and fair trade in the late teens.

NAMM leaves the light on for Edison

NAMM member, Thomas Edison exhibited during these years at the show. NAMM provided trade shows throughout World War I.

“NAMM” becomes the official association title

NAPDA was renamed to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).

Early 1920s

The National Piano Travelers Association (NPTA) annual meeting at The NAMM Show. The NPTA still meets at the show, making it one of our oldest traditions!

First official marketing materials

NAMM partnered with the Bureau for the Advancement of Music and created materials for dealers to display in their stores.

A growing association

NAMM membership hits a new high: 784.

Music education as a right for all children

One of the first times NAMM presented a program outside of New York. This year included the theme of radio, an important step in the development of the “music merchandise” aspect of the trade shows, allowing NAMM to focus on more than pianos.

Music education as a right for all children

“The Richest Child is Poor Without a Musical Training”

Great Depression hiatus

NAMM did not provide a trade show due to the economic uncertainty.

NAMM returns

The NAMM show returned thanks to President Parham Werlein. The show was held at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago.

NAMM skips a year

NAMM again did not provide a trade show, as a result of the Great Depression.

New programs evolve

NAMM continued to provide support to dealers to become active with community music making programs, such as lessons and civic events.

Another growth spurt

NAMM had 154 paid members.

Badge requirements instated

NAMM joined the efforts to promote National Music Week. Additionally, new rules state all those attending the NAMM Show must have a badge.

Contest drives traffic

Membership numbers reach 248 while an estimated 2,800 people attended the show. This was also the year that the first annual window display contest was held at the show.

Price disputes cause an uproar

Members of the NAMM board wrote the president of Montgomery Ward calling his attention to the very unfair comparison of the prices in the MW catalogue with those charged by music dealers.

Promoting Music Education

An early NAMM logo in the 1940s focused on a music education campaign.

Membership climbs

NAMM membership reached 554.

Going to war

NAMM did not hold a show due to war efforts.

Travel ban closes the show floor

Hopes of holding a show were cut down by an order from James M. Byrnes, United States Secretary of State, who ordered a ban of all unnecessary travel.

Palmer House and new headquarters

The NAMM Show returns for the first time after World War II and is held at the Palmer House in Chicago. The NAMM headquarters moves to 28 East Jackson Blvd in Chicago.

Cost increases for exhibit space

Cost rose for exhibiters, from 52 cents to $1.60 per square foot. According to the Board report that year, the National average of convention space that year was $2.25 per square foot.

50 years and learning center growth

NAMM marks its 50th anniversary! The trade show was held at the Palmer House in Chicago.

An educational division of NAMM was created as a service to the membership department.

Young professionals are recognized

The National Association of Young Music Merchants (NAYMM) is formed.

The first Milestone Award

NAMM awards The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company with a centennial plaque, thought to be the first NAMM Milestone Award.

Making History

NAMM elects the first female Board of Director Frances Jones (General Manager of Kitt Music, in Washington, D.C.)

Farewell Big Apple

Last NAMM Show at the Hotel New Yorker.

65th Annual NAMM Show

Awareness of NAMM grows thanks to the power of television.

First Music Education Film

First film underwritten by NAMM for AMC, “Bringing Music into the Classroom” was released.

Milestone membership

NAMM membership hits 1,000 for the first time.

Open Convention

NAMM held it first "open convention" in Miami Beach, Florida.

A Midway Of Ideas

The 1971 NAMM Show and the Midway of Ideas provides the foundation for today’s NAMM U.

‘Discover Music’ campaign is born

NAMM Past President Robert McDowell leads the efforts to promote “Discover Music” for music stores to promote within their communities.

Growing Show, High Demand

Registration lines for the 1975 Music Expo filled the main lobby area of McCormick’s Place in Chicago, IL.

NAMM celebrates 75 years

Special 75th Anniversary party was held during the annual trade show in Chicago, where a record 103,360 square feet was sold.

The 1980 NAMM Show

Exhibits and Registration entrance of the winter Music & Sound Market at the Disneyland Convention Complex in Anaheim, California.

MIDI

MIDI is introduced at the NAMM Show.

NAMM on the move

NAMM’s headquarters moved to Carlsbad, CA from Chicago

A Bustling Show Floor

The 1985 NAMM Show brought the top brands together as the show continued to build momentum.

1990 Show

Eager attendees gather in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center anxious for the show to open.

Music and the mind

NAMM teams up with Gordon Shaw to document brain research related to music making.

Music City is calling

First Nashville Summer NAMM Show.

NAMM Playback magazine

NAMM University and the NAMM magazine Playback are created.

Membership Growth

The 1997 show offered a “Join NAMM” area for prospects to register and current members to renew.

IFMR is created

NAMM establishes the International Foundation for Music Research (IFMR).

NAMM in LA

NAMM Show moves to Los Angeles while Anaheim Convention Center is renovated.

Return to Anaheim

The Museum of Making Music opens to the public.

NAMM supports Piano 300 exhibition at the Smithsonian.

First NAMM Oral History interview is captured.

A century of NAMM and honoring those we have lost and the bullet point that NAMM celebrates 100th anniversary

The first annual NAMM Tribute took place during the winter show to honor and remember those in our industry who have passed away.

NAMM U Milestone

NAMM U reaches 50,000 students

NAMM offers distinct education tracks

Launch of the NAMM U Breakfast sessions and the NAMM Idea Center sessions.

Going Global

NAMM added an International Affairs Department in an effort to enhance the growing international role.

A foundation for music education

The NAMM Foundation is officially established / incorporated.

China International Music Market (CIMM)

NAMM collaborated with Music China by providing professional development in the region

Colleges invited to NAMM

The NAMM Foundation formally invites College Students and Faculty to the NAMM Show via the “Generation Next” program.

First TEC Awards at the NAMM Show.

All-day retail training adds value

NAMM introduces Retail Boot Camp.

A decade of advocacy

The NAMM Foundation’s SupportMusic Coalition celebrates 10 years of grassroots advocacy effort.

Setting records in membership and education

Record-setting NAMM U Breakfast Session with Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple.

NAMM hits 10,000 members for the first time.

High attendance creates more momentum

NAMM has the highest International member companies in its history.  (29%) of NAMM membership is from outside the U.S.

NAMM attendance in Anaheim tops 100,000 for the first time.

10th anniversary celebration of “Breakfast of Champions” with session featuring Graham Nash, St. Vincent and a performance and interview with Jake Shimabukuro.

Music Education Days’ celebrates 10 years

The NAMM Foundation celebrates 10 years of Music Education Days at the NAMM Show – an element that has enabled thousands of Music Educators to experience our world-famous trade shows.

The Music History Project Podcast launched

The podcast provides themed based episodes using the depth of the Oral History interview collection.

A Crossroads of Business Opportunities

The Winter Show expanded to include ACC North in Anaheim, CA as well as welcoming AES (Audio Engineering Society) and The Parnelli Awards to the show.

Largest show yet

With an estimated 115,000 attendees.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the global pandemic the Summer Show in Nashville, TN is cancelled.

We Believe in Music

In lieu of an in-person January show, NAMM put together its first-ever virtual event called Believe in Music Week—becoming a global event with 189 countries attending.

The NAMM Show returns to Anaheim

After being postponed in January, The NAMM Show returned in June.