NAMM 2016 – National Association of Musical Merchants in Nashville
Taking place June 22nd 2016, The NAMM, or National Association of Musical Merchants, is the largest trade-only music industry convention in the United States. This massive show attracts thousands of music industry professionals, heavy-hitters, musicians, and product suppliers from all around the world. One of the largest trade shows of its kind on the planet, its only rival would be the European counterpart, Musik Messe in Frankfurt, Germany.
NAMM caters to both domestic and international consumers. It helps bridge the gaps between the retail world and the companies that make the music industry products that propel music and sound technolgy forward. And, believe it or not, The National Association of Musical Merchants is more than 100 years old. That’s right, this expo goes all the way back to 1901!
Coinciding with their massive trade show, NAMM also organizes a concert series so that young and up-and-coming bands can showcase their abilities in front of the music industry’s heavy hitters. They even go so far as to open up the concert series to outside submissions. Bands are able to submit the pertinent info to [email protected] and be reviewed for the opportunity to play on one of five live stages. NAMM will have a catalog of over 150 live acts that will perform over the course of the convention.
NAMM also fosters numerous initiatives in order to strengthen and grow the music industry. Their Summer Retail Boot Camp goes into the actual nitty gritty of running a retail music business. The a one-day seminar takes place June 22nd and is completely free of charge to any NAMM member. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring together entrepreneurs, store managers, retail clerks, and anyone who’s interested in expanding their retail music knowhow.
NAMM also sponsors Make Music Day, a nation-wide music industry event that brings retail chains and musicians together to showcase live acts. This pop-up style happening takes place in roughly every city across the U.S. This year includes live acts from artists like Philip Glass, Shimmer (with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs drummer Brian Chase), and the Jazz Foundation of America.
NAMM is one of the few resources that’s just as valuable to the retail and consumer side of the industry as it is for the professional and creative side. It’s a venue for music and sound people to learn, talk shop, and form lasting partnerships. It’s a place where companies and stores can work together to improve today’s music industry on all fronts. It’s also where aspiring musicians, audio engineers, and music producers can enrich their understandings about how the industry works, make connections, and maybe even get their big break. National Association of Musical Merchants is a great service to all of us, on all sides of the industry. For 115 years sound heads, musicians, and technologists have been interacting and making music magic happen. Here’s to another 100!