Last year, the conventional wisdom was that the Nashville Summer NAMM show would be an epic fail. But even though a lot of the “majors” weren’t there, 150 new exhibitors showed up, contributing a welcome air of freshness and vibrancy. And while other media held back, the powers-that-be at HC were crazy enough to take a gamble and send the full video team. The gamble paid off, because HC’s show coverage was considered the best in the industry.
So what’s on tap this year? We’ll find out, but if nothing else there’s a major new twist: NAMM opens it doors on Sunday to the general public, breaking years of “industry only” tradition. Great idea or potential disaster? Stay tuned.
What’s more, expect some pretty interesting products. We’re sworn to secrecy, but you’ll know what’s happening as soon as the convention opens: See our Flickr pictures from the show floor, read the tweets, check out the press releases, and watch the daily highlight videos—while we annoy people in the adjoining hotel rooms by editing product videos into the wee hours of the morning.
Welcome to the Summer NAMM 2010 coverage! Enjoy, and thank you for your continued support.
- Craig Anderton, on behalf of your Harmony Central team
One encouraging sign for Sunday, the public day (dubbed "Wanna Play Music?" by the NAMM organization), is all the advanced planning that's gone into it. There are loads of seminars and performances--not the least of which is a concert/clinic by fingerpicker extraordinaire Doyle Dykes. It's not like the powers that be are just flinging open the doors and then ducking for cover.
I'm optimistic, but I'm not a vendor. They're the "paying customers" of this show, so we'll have to see how this fares with them.