The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has announced the final registration and exhibitor numbers for the 2010 Winter NAMM Show, the longest-running trade show in the United States.
At show close, NAMM reported 87,569 registrants, a 2 percent increase from last year. International registration experienced a 2 percent decrease from last year.
Even in economically challenging times, the association reported 1,373 exhibitors at this year’s show, including nearly 250 new exhibitors—a new record number in the event’s 108-year history, showing a surge in market enthusiasm.
“This year’s NAMM Show marks a critical turning point for the international music products industry,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond.
“A strong NAMM Show signals the beginning of a comeback with buyers returning to their hometowns with renewed energy, passion and hope for a strong 2010, and exhibitors enjoying strong floor traffic and sales as they introduced hundreds of new and innovative products to the market.”
The event featured Quincy Jones and Yoko Ono, who spoke on behalf of the importance of music education for children. Ono also celebrated the 70th anniversary of John Lennon’s birth at a press conference held on the Thursday.
Other events included highly attended mentoring sessions for music products retailers; performances by Jason Mraz and Ted Nugent; and celebrity appearances by Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars, Slash of Guns and Roses and Velvet Revolver, Eddie Van Halen, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Orianthi and Gene Simmons of KISS and hundreds of touring artists and band members.
Yamaha Corporation of America celebrated its 50th anniversary in the United States with a star-filled dealer concert featuring Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, John Ondrasik, Jon McLaughlin and Jason Mraz.
Themed “Get Ready,” the trade show offered attendees the opportunity to reunite with industry peers, learn the latest business and marketing tactics and trends at daily NAMM University sessions, and ultimately make their biggest business deals for the year ahead.
Exhibiting product manufacturers had good feedback about their business at the show.
“We are extremely pleased with our retailers’ response to this year’s show in general, and our product offering in particular,” said Paul Jernigan, vice president of global channel marketing at Fender Musical Instruments Corp. “The overall feeling we have received from our customers and business partners is overwhelmingly positive. Additionally, we are impressed, as always, with the entire NAMM organization. This has to rank as one of the best shows we’ve attended, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
“Our booth was packed from day one, and our dealers had a level of energy and enthusiasm here at the NAMM show that I found very exciting, said Rick Young, senior vice president of Yamaha Corporation of America. “Given what we’ve all experienced this past year, Yamaha is very grateful for the warm reception we received for our new products, programs and services. Now this very positive feeling has to be transferred to the sales floor.”