ACC North Opens, Setting the Stage for NAMM’s Expansion

Shelley Hickox

The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) North addition is officially open, paving the way for NAMM’s vision to come to fruition—The NAMM Show becoming the business crossroads for the music, sound and event technology communities.

The new hall will showcase some of the biggest names in music, pro audio and live sound, as well as create an improved show experience across The NAMM Campus.

Jay Wanamaker, Roland Corporation President and CEO, North America, stated, “As part of our ongoing expansion and growth, it was a natural move for Roland to step up and decide to exhibit in the new ACC North Hall at the 2018 NAMM Show. We're thrilled to be the first exhibitor to sign on for this exciting new space, which will provide an even bigger footprint for Roland, BOSS, and V-MODA, and give attendees a more immersive, hands-on experience. We look forward to our new convention home in January.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on September 26, unveiled the two connected levels, which expands the size of the 2018 NAMM Campus by 20%.

According to Rory DeJohn of Turner Construction, this building has “state of the art everything” and offers the most flexible space of any convention center in North America. “We sell a dream, and today, that dream becomes a reality,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim at the opening ceremony.

There will be easy access to the expanded areas, including escalators and a sky bridge connection at level 2. The new space features:

  • 100,000 square feet of column-free space
  • 25-foot ceilings
  • Spacious balconies
  • An updated and larger arena plaza for expanded outdoor activities and community gatherings
  • 1,350 more parking spaces
  • Updates to the existing structure to make the addition absolutely seamless

We're thrilled to be the first exhibitor to sign on for this exciting new space, which will provide an even bigger footprint for Roland, BOSS, and V-MODA, and give attendees a more immersive, hands-on experience. We look forward to our new convention home in January.

Jay Wanamaker, Roland Corporation President and CEO, North America

The effects this has on The NAMM Show will be felt throughout an expanded NAMM Campus with new on-floor experiences, performances, lounges, community thought centers, demo areas, meeting areas and will offer more amenities and food choices that will draw exhibitors and attendees to conduct more business. 

The expansion has given NAMM the ability to develop a full-scale pro audio platform and community that will attract buyers from around the world, particularly those who like the convenience of engaging with multiple product communities at one show. Pro audio will now be represented across the entire NAMM Show Campus, from Yamaha Commercial Audio at the Marriott to the ACC Halls A & B, as well as levels 2 & 3, the arena, The Hilton and now the ACC North levels 1 & 2.

In many ways, Anaheim Convention Center is growing because The NAMM Show is growing. The ACC North was created in part to meet NAMM’s evolving needs, which includes better integration of the exhibitors and buyers that represent the business crossroads of music, sound and event technology. The NAMM Show continues to be the stable platform for these groups to work together to grow their businesses.

The ACC North addition now puts the Anaheim Convention Center into the “one million square foot club,” offering double the breakout space so NAMM exhibitors can host more meetings and special events and experience the “gold standard” for flex space. There has never been a better environment for exhibitors to sell products at The NAMM Show.

Rudy Emami, Public Works Director for City of Anaheim explained that Anaheim continues to “build and expand because of the success the city has had” in being a center of innovation that draws business from around the globe for conventions, tradeshows and meetings.

Plans are underway to create “better pedestrian connections to bring the city together” as well as more five-star hotels as more visitors return to the city year-round to do business.

Seventy-five groups have already booked this new space for 2018 including a few shows this fall. When you show up in Anaheim on January 25, you’ll finally experience the vision of an expanded campus become a reality. 

Check out the video below for a sneak preview.

ACC North Grand Opening

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