Photo Credit: NAMM
The NAMM 2021 show scheduled in January at the Anaheim Convention Center is canceled. Instead, an online event will take place.
NAMM organizers announced yesterday that the in-person event would not take place next year. They said they’ll be bringing music merchants, industry insiders, and musicians together virtually instead.
“While it remains unsafe for us to gather in person in January, Believe in Music week will use new, intuitive technology to connect us all to harness the incredible energy that happens when we come together,” NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond says.
NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, is an annual gathering that has taken place since 1976. It serves as a showcase for new innovations in the music world.
Exhibitors from hundreds of countries across the globe arrive in Anaheim to showcase their products. NAMM remains one of the largest music product trade shows in the world. It’s not open to the general public, making it a great networking opportunity for those within the music industry.
The new virtual NAMM 2021 online event will be held the same week as the scheduled in-person event.
Organizers say it will feature a mix of professional education events, programming, and more via the believeinmusic.tv website. The website will also host an interactive marketplace to connect buyers with sellers.
“With a robust marketplace to launch new products and share your brand story, Believe in Music will also feature networking and matchmaking for our buyers and our sellers, education for all segments of the industry, and live music and concerts,” the press release continues. “Just like at all NAMM events, these activities will raise awareness and financial support to serve our NAMM family across our Circle of Benefits model. Believe in Music week will be a critical step for our industry to help us prepare for the new year and new opportunities.”
Attendance for NAMM 2019 surpassed 120,000 attendees, thanks to the expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center. This year’s event was scheduled to be on track to meet or surpass that number before the coronavirus pandemic happened.
NAMM 2021 continuing with an online event showcases how commerce will change after the pandemic.
Private one-on-one meetings will continue through Zoom meetings, while the NAMM marketplace will showcase new products. One has to wonder if it will feel a bit like watching a home shopping network. Part of the thrill of attending industry conventions is meeting new people and seeing new products. The sterile remote presentation of Zoom meetings really doesn’t capture that feeling. When will VR conventions arrive?