ANAHEIM, Calif. – The music industry National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)) Exhibition, which will be held from April 13 to 15 at the Anaheim Convention Centerreported a strong post-pandemic return of international trade show attendees representing 120 counties and territories, representing a 64% increase in international attendance year-over-year.
“As the pandemic and its impacts continue to ease, the industry is quickly finding its place for the future,” said Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO. “These are moments in history when big changes are happening, both in innovation and careers, and tomorrow’s leaders were in Anaheim, creating exciting new business opportunities at the true crossroads of the industry.”
NAMM, which focuses on the music, professional audio and entertainment technology industries, attracted more than 1,200 exhibitors representing 3,500 brands, in addition to retail and distribution buyers, entertainment technology, artists, media and professional audio buyers and professionals..
“The global industry came together last week in Anaheim, and it was incredible to once again see so many NAMM members, companies, products and technologies under one roof,” said NAMM Chairman Joel Menchey of Menchey Music Service.
NAMM, with this year’s theme of “Bringing Light to the Future,” featured more than 75 professional audio and music technology sessions for emerging and established professionals, as well as more than 200 educational sessions focused on new industry ideas and trends.
Sessions focused on future technologies. A3E: The Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange session series, for example, explored how advanced audio applications are transforming the music industry, production, and performance, including the session “Revolutionizing Sound with Immersive Audio and AI.”
The NAMM Foundation also launched Million More Music Makers at the 2023 show, a new initiative that provides hands-on training to expand guitar, ukulele and bass learning opportunities in schools and communities.
“For companies participating in our new market development initiatives like Million More Music Makers, they are the ones who will lead our industry to further growth and success,” Lamond said.
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NAMM, a nonprofit association of 15,000 member companies and individual professionals worldwide, also featured a variety of music legends at this year’s show, including Grammy winner John Fogerty, who received NAMM’s Music for Life Award during the Breakfast of Champions.
Chuck D, legendary frontman and founder of the rap group Public Enemy, social activist, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, has been honored with the NAMM Impact Music & Culture Award.
The industry also came together during NAMM to celebrate women leaders and innovators She Rocks Awards.
The show’s digital extension, NAMM Show+, allowed attendees to connect with each other and livestream nearly 100 sessions, special events and performances. The NAMM Show+ platform will remain open through May 26.
NAMM is also a boon to the local economy, bringing in more than $88 million this year from 48,000 attendees and 17,000 room nights in Anaheim, according to Jay Burress, CEO and president of Visit Anaheim.
NAMM 2024 will take place January 25-28, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Exhibitor bookings are already exceeding expectations, according to John Mlynczak, who will assume the role of NAMM president and CEO beginning May 1.
Contact Joe Lamond at (760) 438-8001; Jay Burress at (714) 765-2927