NASHVILLE — The music products and pro audio industries convened in Nashville for Summer NAMM 2019 (July 18-20), the industry’s annual mid-year gathering. NAMM members prepared for the year ahead through buying new products and making all-important reconnections on the show floor.
“Summer NAMM seemed to highlight the important role of both the manufacturer and the dealer in maintaining a strong musical ecosystem,” said NAMM president/CEO Joe Lamond.
The summer event attracted 16,001 showgoers, a 7% increase in attendees, and notably, accounted for a 32% increase in international attendees. More than 1,500 brands represented by 500 exhibitors reflected this interchange representing all facets of the industry, including AVID, BOSS, Hal Leonard, TransAudio, Martin Guitar, Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, and a collection of leading plug-in developers.
“The Yamaha team really appreciates Summer NAMM for the time we have to spend with our dealers, the ability for folks to be able to actually play and experience our products, and the educational events that can help dealers propel their business,” said Tom Sumner, of Yamaha Corporation of America.
“Our dealers are important to us… and since a lot of the products that we may have announced at Winter NAMM are likely to be shipping on or just before Summer NAMM, the platform gives us another opportunity to sell more products and release new ones,” shared Richard Factor of Eventide.
Andrew Jones of Deity Microphones (www.deitymic.com), a year-old company, was showing its W.Lav line of affordable lavalier mics and microdot adapters to fit most pro bodypack systems. “We do a lot of broadcast tradeshows but we decided to come to Summer NAMM because we’re surrounded by other [microphone] exhibitors who really love what they do. You’re going to see innovations here that you’re never going to see elsewhere.”
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Professional development opportunities abounded throughout Music City Center with NAMM U and TEC Tracks. Before the show officially opened, retail pros of all levels of expertise took part in the Retail Training Summit: a mini-conference that dove into the most relevant and critical areas for music retail success, across six different tracks. “Through the Retail Training Summit and NAMM U, I learned about artificial intelligence, disruption, and the importance of making changes now and trying new avenues to see if they work. Anybody that is not here is really missing out,” affirmed Tracy Leenman of Musical Innovations.
On the pro audio side, TEC Tracks returned on Thursday and Friday with sessions designed to help professionals take their careers to the next-level. Notable sessions included “Deconstructing a Mix,” where Grammy-winning engineer Craig Alvin walked the audience through how he builds a hit album; “The Making of Willie Nelson’s Grammy-Winning ‘My Way'” with producers Matt Rollings and Buddy Cannon, along with engineer Steve Chadie, who shared the stories behind the songs; “Immersive Audio and You.” which featured pro audio gurus John McBride and Greg Penny. “The Pro Audio Entrepreneur Mindset” with Sean Giovanni, owner of The Record Shop Recording Studio and Production Company in Nashville, shared new ideas for audio professionals to improve their success in entrepreneurship, career development, finding and maintaining clients, and building multiple revenue streams.
MORE TO COME
The music instrument, pro audio, and event technology industries will again gather January 16-19 at The 2020 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. The 2020 NAMM Show campus will welcome the Entertainment Services Technology Association (ESTA), the Audio Engineering Society and others, for four days of business, networking, and events.
Registration opens at the end of August. Visit NAMM.org to learn more.
