As seen in Guitar Girl Magazine Issue 11 – Spring 2020 – SoCal Inspired

• Over 2,000 exhibiting member companies, representing 7,000 brands
• Over 115,000 attendees
• Daily NAMM U Breakfast sessions
• Loudspeaker System Showcase
• A3E: The Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange
• AES Academy at NAMM
• TEC Tracks
• Dynaudio Unheard Pro Brooth recording sessions
• Professional development sessions through The NAMM Foundation’s GenNext
• Music Education Days, which offered music teachers and school administrators informative sessions, inspiring performances and the opportunity to preview the latest instruments, products, and tools
• The Nonprofit Management Institute for music nonprofits, the Foundation’s partner and grantee organizations, presenting the best practices in nonprofit administration.
• Over 350 education sessions by top industry leaders
• Approximately 50 sessions for retailers to learn marketing & biz strategies
• Hands-on education with pro audio sessions, lighting designers, John Lennon Tour Bus, and more
• Booth signings
• Tower of Power 50th Anniversary Concert; Mr. Talkbox; Kenny Loggins; Earth, Wind & Fire; and More!
• Ultimate NAMM Jam
• TEC Awards
• She Rocks Awards
• Parnelli Awards

She Rocks Awards at the House of Blues honoring women in the music industry. The event featured a star-studded performance lineup, including live music from honorees Gloria Gaynor, Lzzy Hale, Linda Perry, Suzi Quatro, Beatie Wolfe, and Tal Wilkenfeld, the evening’s co-hosts, Mindi Abair and Lyndsey Parker, and opening act D_Drive, among others. Other honorees included Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, Executive Director of the D’Addario Foundation; Tara Low, Music-based entrepreneur and Editor and Founder of Guitar Girl Magazine; Myrna Sislen, Owner of Middle C Music in D.C.D.C., classical guitarist, philanthropist, music educator; Judy Schaefer, Marketing Director at PRS Guitars; and Ebonie Smith, Founder and President of Gender Amplified, Inc. and Atlantic Records audio engineer and producer.

Parties by Gibson, Fender, Schecter and more!

“It was incredible to see NAMM Members and industry professionals from around the world come together in such a positive way to experience the launch of countless new products, attend the best industry education available anywhere and to enjoy the comradery and networking that makes our musical lives so meaningful,” commented Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO.

“The NAMM Show is the ultimate opportunity for industry professionals to come together to share their passion for music, build relationships, and learn from each other through the vast array of educational and networking opportunities that The NAMM Show has to offer,” said Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors, Chris Martin of C.F. Martin. “It’s a place where we hold each other up, cheer each other on, and strengthen the industry as a whole.”

Prior to the actual beginning of the NAMM Convention, The NAMM Foundation hosts a Day of Service to support music education in school. Their sixth year in action, they supported the Anaheim Elementary School District in visiting Horace Mann Elementary School. From the NAMM press release:

The day began with a welcome from Principal Louie Magdaleno, followed by Superintendent Downing, Mayor Harry Sidhu, a representative from the office of California State Senator Ling Ling Chang and Chair of The NAMM Foundation, Joel Menchey, followed by a special performance from the Kindergarten class and then, YouTube sensations, Melodica Men who performed a melody of well-loved hits on melodicas.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Downing shared that, “Since 2015, NAMM has generously brought together a group of dedicated musicians who volunteer in Anaheim Elementary School District as part of the Day of Service. It’s incredible to witness the magic that music education brings. It provides a creative language that will not only expand your world but will help you more deeply understand it. To say that music has been transformative for the district is an understatement. I’m proud to say we’re the only district in the United States where [students] learn how to play up to six different instruments. Isn’t that incredible?!”

Marcia Neel of Yamaha shared that, “Day of Service is an opportunity to see kids making music, which is what we’re all about at The NAMM Foundation. The more kids who become music makers, the better it is for the whole world. To see it in practice warms my heart.”

“Day of Service really sets the tone for the NAMM Show,” offered Tiffany Stalker of Korg. “Spending the day with these kids, seeing the joy that we can bring to them through music, really solidifies why we do what we do. This is the future… and the more that we can introduce music to students everywhere, the better we’ll be served in the future. It’s just a great day.”

Kudos to The NAMM Foundation for this important endeavor.

This is just the icing on the cake. To see all things NAMM, go to NAMM.org.