ANAHEIM, CA. (Top40 Charts/ NAMM) - NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced final registration and exhibitor numbers for the 2009 NAMM Show. At show close, NAMM reported 85,799 registrants, a three percent decrease from last year.
Even in economically challenging times, the association reported 1,505 exhibitors at this year's show. International registration also experienced a two percent decrease.
The high-energy event featured performances by Yamaha artist Alicia Keys, who launched a new product line at the show, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters. Celebrity appearances included Gene Simmons, who offered retailers marketing advice at the opening "Breakfast of Champions" NAMM University session, and Steve Vai, who launched a new amplifier with Carvin.
Themed "Come Together," the show offered attendees the opportunity to reunite with industry peers, learn the latest business and marketing tactics and trends at daily NAMM University sessions, and ultimately make their biggest business deals for the year ahead.
"The 2009 NAMM Show was perhaps one of the most important industry gatherings in memory," said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. "Our members once again demonstrated their determination and persistence as the best and brightest from around the world gathered to experience four days of new products, NAMM University courses, networking and great live music."
"We're very pleased with the steady traffic that has been visiting our display at the NAMM Show within minutes of the show opening on Thursday," said Dennis Houlihan of Roland Corporation U.S. "Dealers are eager to see new products and new technologies. Everybody is anxious about 2009 and yet there's an underlying confidence in the value of music and the need for music products in our country right now more so than ever before. Roland Corporation is very pleased with the attitude of retailers and we're responding to their needs with products and programs to help everybody navigate through this time of uncertainty and economic challenge. Roland is confident, optimistic and moving forward full speed ahead."
"It's been a great show," said Steve McCreary of Collings Guitars. "We didn't quite know what to expect coming in, but Thursday and Friday, we were swamped, Saturday was busy, Sunday was a little bit slower but that's to be expected, and we had a lot of international interest, which was great. We're looking forward to Nashville."
About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international 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 approximately 9,000 Member companies.
For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).
