2011 NAMM Show Opens in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The NAMM Show, the largest music products trade show in the world, opened today at the Anaheim Convention Center welcoming tens of thousands of musical instrument manufacturers, retailers and associates to the industry's annual gathering. The trade show has been bringing professionals together for more than a century to exhibit, view and stock retailers' stores for the year ahead with the newest and hottest music products on the market.

The estimated economic impact of the 2011 NAMM Show for the Orange County, Calif. economy is more than $70 million.

This year, the show will feature many new exhibits and learning pavilions, offering NAMM members and music product professionals business tips and insight for success in today's marketplace.

Themed "Take It to '11," this year's NAMM Show is kicked up a notch with the new App and Gaming Pavilion, welcoming this growing market of high-tech music-making product companies to the show for the first time. In addition, industry members interested in the newest developments from the recording, live sound, DJ, house of worship and stage and lighting industries can participate in the broadest educational experience at the show's Hands On Training (H.O.T.) Zone.

The new Native American Pavilion will celebrate Native American instrument craftsmen and other contributors to the community of music making. The Pavilion also features exhibits, educational materials and resources, performance stages and displays of vintage musical instruments. The Luthier Pavilion features the luthier trade and celebrates how instruments are crafted from beginning to end.

Lounge 88 will offer tailored educational sessions to piano dealers from around the world. This area will feature sessions each day of the show starting at 9:30 a.m.

Also new this year is NAMM's Wanna Play? Uke Circle presented by Kala Brand Music on Sunday, Jan. 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone will be encouraged to experience the joys and benefits of making music with ukuleles through this interactive music-making experience. No experience is necessary.

On Saturday Jan. 15, NAMM will host the first-ever All-Star Celebrity Jam, featuring BAND FROM TV, a musical ensemble of actors who are also musicians. Band members include Greg Grunbert of "Heroes" and NBC's upcoming love anthology, "Love Bites;" Hugh Laurie (keyboard and vocals), star of "House;" Jesse Spencer (violin) currently starring alongside Laurie in "House;" Bob Guiney (vocals), who appeared on "The Bachelor" and is now the daily host of "GSN: Live;" Adrian Pasdar (guitar), from "Heroes" and "Desperate Housewives;" and Scott Grimes (keyboard/vocals) from "American Dad," "ER," and "Robin Hood." The All-Star Celebrity Jam will feature additional actors and reality TV stars who also enjoy making music, highlighting the importance of recreational music making for all ages and talent levels.

Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee and musicians James Stroud and Bobby Roberts were the grand marshalls of this morning's Petiot Band NAMM Show kickoff parade at the Anaheim Convention Center.

"The global industry has come together in Anaheim to conduct business, demonstrate new products and technologies, network with peers and chart the course for the year ahead," said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. "We hope this year's show will provide a forum for creating new relationships, enhancing business skills and gaining a better understanding about what the future holds for the industry."

This year's NAMM Show is expected to draw tens of thousands of trade professionals who will display and view a multitude of new and traditional music products and accessories. Music product retailers are especially enthusiastic after The Music Trades magazine recently reported a 3.8 percent increase in music product retail sales over sales last year.

A full menu of musical performances and activities is available to attendees throughout the show, and a variety of after-hours parties and concerts are planned around the convention area throughout the weekend.

For more information and news updates from the 2011 NAMM Show, interested parties can visit http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2011.  

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

SOURCE National Association of Music Merchants