Summer NAMM Show Snags 20-percent Increase in Buyers
July 16, 2012
Even though it’s a smaller event than the mammoth winter show, this year’s Summer NAMM event in Nashville packed a punch, drawing a 20-percent increase in buyers, compared with the 2011 event.
Besides more buyers, there also was a 9-percent increase in exhibitors to 372, compared with last year, at the National Association of Music Merchants’ show held July 12-14 at the Nashville Convention Center.
Part of the uptick in exhibitors came from 75 new brands that were on the showfloor and another 75 brands that returned to the show.
In fact, a new brand grabbed the spotlight when it won the “2012 Summer NAMM Best of Show” award.
Jim McGillivary, who won the award and is founder of Four Force that makes the EM1 lightweight amp, said, “This summer show is the best for us. It’s a time to meet local music store owners and buyers in a very music-friendly city.”
Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, said the organization was grateful to all of the people who invested their time and money to attend the Summer NAMM show.
He added, “In spite of the continuing economic challenges, these folks are not sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to get better, but instead seizing the opportunity to increase their competitive advantage as we head into the fall and holiday selling season."
Several educational opportunities also were featured, including the NAMM’s inaugural Retail Boot Camp, which started a day earlier and attracted 100 retailers.
In addition, each morning opened with a NAMM U Breakfast session with guests such as Chip Averwater of Amro Music and author of “Retail Truths.”
Next year’s Summer NAMM show, on tap July 11-13, will have a new home at the Nashville’s Music City Center, which will have a 350,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 57,000 grand ballroom and 1,800 parking spaces.
In the meantime, The NAMM Show will be held Jan. 24-27 in Anaheim. Last year’s show drew more than 60,000 attendees to a 500,000 sq. ft.-plus exhibit floor.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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