In addition to Nashville—the show’s home for the past 11 years—the contending cities for the 2005 Summer Session include Austin, Texas; Indianapolis; and Washington, D.C.
During the years, NAMM’s Summer Session has demonstrated increasing growth, creating a need for more exhibit space in a contiguous exhibit hall. Recently, the city of Nashville announced that it will not be expanding its current convention center or constructing a new facility in the foreseeable future, prompting the association to research other possible locations.
“We now have and will continue to have an excellent working relationship and friendship with the city of Nashville, which has allowed the Summer Session to flourish all of these years,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM.
NAMM’s Summer Session typically draws 20,000 attendees from the music products industry and generates approximately $20 million annually for the local economy. Next year’s 2004 Summer Session will be held in Nashville from July 23-25, 2004.
In other NAMM news, the organization has partnered with MENC, the National Association for Music Education, to produce the exhibition portion of MENC’s 2004 National Conference. The “Music and Sound Expo” will be held April 16-18, 2004, in Minneapolis. Preliminary plans for the event include adding special exclusive-access times for educators to preview products, instructional clinics run by professional musicians and facilitators, as well as a high-profile, celebrity-driven concert to benefit music education.
“MENC has enjoyed a long and rewarding partnership with NAMM and the music products industry,” said Dr. Willie L. Hill Jr., president of MENC. “This new opportunity allows each organization to do what it does best: NAMM producing another world-class trade show and MENC managing the conference as only we can.”
“There is no doubt that when the industry and educators work together, everyone benefits,” said Steve West, chairman of NAMM. “And both groups are very enthusiastic about the possibilities of what we are going to create together in order to help music educators and the music products industry succeed.”
The partners have launched a new Website at www.musicandsoundexpo.com, with more details about the new show and exhibiting information. Interested parties should contact NAMM at 760/438-8001. Questions about the 2004 National Conference should be directed to MENC at 800/336-3768.
For more information on Summer NAMM, visit Mix’s wrap-up of the event at mixonline.com/ar/audio_nashville__product/index.htm.
