Registration for The 2026 NAMM Show Is Now Open as the Stage is Set for a Historic Gathering

NAMM celebrates 125 years serving its Global Membership at the 2026 Show

CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, announced today that the online registration for the 2026 NAMM Show is now live and ongoing allowing global members to register immediately. The music industry will gather January 20-24, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, as the NAMM Show, which celebrates 125 years in January, will feature five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside new offerings in artificial intelligence, ground-breaking product announcements and a wide range of new consumer and professional exhibits and brand activations.

New this year, NAMM is launching an online dashboard to serve as the central hub for NAMM members and NAMM Show attendees to update their profiles and streamline the registration process. Get started at: dashboard.namm.org.

"We're putting together an unforgettable 125^th anniversary event with exciting new experiences, starting with our new in-depth education summits, and continuing with a new NAMM Show App launching later this fall" said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. "The 2026 NAMM Show will once again bring relevant and exciting education programming that directly addresses the needs of our music industry, will also being the perfect place for attendees to explore the latest products from leading brands across all musical instrument categories."

Five Days of Unmatched Events and Education

Beginning Tuesday, January 20, The 2026 NAMM Show will offer an extended slate of world-class education sessions, global networking events and NAMM's annual Day of Service, which highlights the positive impact of music education on students' lives and society with NAMM members partnering with the local Anaheim school district and community on the benefits of music education.

Wednesday will feature expanded educational opportunities, including a new suite of immersive half- and full-day professional development summits. This includes workshops on everything from leadership, marketing and financial strategies to deep dives into recording and studio innovations, as well as new developments in entertainment technology.

Reimagined Retail Awards

Wednesday evening, NAMM will host the newly rebranded NAMM Retail Awards (formerly the NAMM Dealer Awards). With expanded categories and two new honors — Best Omnichannel Operation and Best Music Lesson Program — the awards celebrate excellence in music retail from NAMM's global membership.

Thought Leadership and Celebrated Performances

Thursday, January 22, begins with the powerful NAMM U Breakfast Session: "Industry Insights," hosted by Mlynczak. This dynamic session will feature a live panel of industry luminaries in conversation about key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the global music market. At 10 am sharp, the doors of the exhibit hall open, and more than 1,800 state-of-the-art exhibitions from brands and companies based all over the world come to life, bringing a musical experience like no other to the show floor.

That evening, the NAMM TEC Awards will recognize achievements in audio excellence, honoring innovators in recording, live sound and technology with legends of the industry on stage through the night.

She Rocks Brings High-Energy Gala to Friday Night

Friday night shines a spotlight on the She Rocks Awards, a high-energy, unforgettable event that honors the women who are changing the face of music and audio with electrifying live performances and powerful speeches.

Friday evening also draws thousands of NAMM attendees to the center point of the NAMM Show campus, the Yamaha Main Stage. This live performance stage will feature a one-of-a-kind, star-studded performance ensured to bring the house down.

A Grand Rally for Music Education

Saturday, January 24, opens the last day of the Show with a motivating "Grand Rally for Music Education," a flagship NAMM Foundation event that combines live performances with inspirational stories to spotlight the role of music education in our society.

Once the exhibit halls close at 5 pm that Saturday, a special 125-year anniversary bash will take place in the main plaza, leading into the prestigious Parnelli Awards, honoring individuals and companies in the live event production industry. Live music will continue throughout the NAMM campus well into the evening to keep the energy going all night long.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 10,000 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.

SOURCE NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)