PAMA enlists 17 charter members, announces Infocomm meeting

Seventeen professional audio manufacturers have signed on to become charter members of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA).

The non-profit organization was recently established to serve as a voice and advocate for a unified pro audio industry. Its mission includes the sponsoring of an executive-level annual retreat and summit, as well as alliance business meetings tied to existing events; monitoring what’s going on internally in the industry and reporting on external developments via a Web-based executive-level digest of news/trends; and building connections on common issues.

PAMA will also interface as a group with other associations and trade show organizations that already serve niche market segments; lobby to enhance relations with the financial and legal communities and the public sector; and serve as a conduit to other associations to provide input and support on standards, education, market intelligence and other industry initiatives.

Charter members in PAMA include AKG Acoustics, Altec-Lansing, Audio Technica, Califone, DigiCo, Dolby Labs, Group One, Harman Pro Group, Klotz Digital, Meyer Sound, Neutrik, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Tascam, Telex, and Yamaha.

Paul Gallo

Several companies have indicated their intent to join PAMA in the very near future, according to Paul Gallo, founder and executive director of PAMA, who was the driving force behind Pro Sound News and several affiliated publications. “We’ve received a very strong vote of confidence from a number of leading companies who have agreed to become support this important alliance,” Gallo says. “These companies will form the nucleus that will chart the future course of the professional audio industry.”

PAMA will host its first business meeting June 6 in Orlando during the 2003 Infocomm convention. The meeting will include an agenda that addresses a number of business and organizational issues and will include presentations by industry trade associations, the alliance’s Washington, DC-based legal counsel, and an outside consultant who specializes in developing marketing intelligence for business communities.

“I fully expect that we will come away from our first meeting with a list of short and long-term objectives that can be immediately acted upon,” Gallo notes. “We will also have nominated and approved our initial board of directors. From there, we can go forward to serve the needs of the manufacturing community that is navigating its way through a period of unprecedented challenge and change. We will work to identify and commercialize all opportunities for future industry growth and market expansion.”

Membership in PAMA is available to senior executives of pro audio manufacturers, while companies affiliated with the pro audio industry can join PAMA as an Associate Member. PAMA is based in New York City and retains Washington, DC legal representation to ensure that it complies with all anti-trust policies and procedures. The alliance’s by-laws and financial records are available to all for review.

To learn more about PAMA and to discuss membership, contact Gallo at 212-696-1799 or via e-mail at pgallo@pamalliance.org.