2008 Summer NAMM Opens in Nashville

NAMM, the not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, opened its 2008 Summer NAMM music products trade show today at the Nashville Convention Center, marking the event’s return to “Music City USA” after a three-year absence. Between 14,000 to 15,000 music products industry professionals from more than 30 countries are expected to attend 2008 Summer NAMM to view the latest musical instruments and products from the 473 exhibiting companies.The show is expected to generate an estimated $14 million for the local economy.

This year, the theme of the show focuses on “celebrating the local community music store,” which the association recognizes as a hub of musical activity in communities across the nation. “Summer NAMM is celebrating the important role of the community music stores across the U.S.,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “We are seeing a tremendous response from NAMM Members who are taking advantage of this opportunity to meet with suppliers and peers, attend important NAMM U courses, and position their businesses for a successful fall and holiday selling season.”

In addition to the many exhibits featuring an array of music products, there are a variety of activities scheduled to educate, entertain and unite show attendees. Each day of the show kicks off at 8 a.m. with a breakfast session at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel to offer attendees insightful information about the industry. Friday morning, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond and a panel of industry leaders will present the annual “State of the Industry Address,” covering the current state of the industry and discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities that will influence the music products community during the second half of the year and beyond. Saturday’s breakfast session will focus on what makes the concepts discussed in the best-selling book Guerrilla Retailing so successful, and Sunday’s "Best in Show" session will feature the inside scoop on the hottest music products on the market.

NAMM University will fill all three days of Summer NAMM with free, information-packed, how-to sessions held right on the show floor (booth #837) every 30 minutes. Taught by industry professionals who have firsthand knowledge about the challenges music products retailers face, the sessions will include an “ask the experts” panel discussion, information on how to enhance the customer experience and drive up profitability, and advice on how to beat today’s retail challenges.

In addition to the many industry activities at the show, there will also be scheduled celebrity performances held at exhibitors’ booths, including Richard Gilewitz at the Breedlove Guitar Co. booth, and at numerous local venues.

2008 Summer NAMM runs through Sunday, June 22, at the Nashville Convention Center. For more information on all of the events taking place at Summer NAMM, go to www.namm.org/summer. The more than 9,000-Member organization also hosts the largest music products trade show in North America called The NAMM Show, which is held annually in Anaheim, Calif., and draws close to 90,000 registrants. The 2009 NAMM Show, will take place Jan. 15–18, 2009, at the Anaheim Convention Center.