Celebrating 20 Years of MIDI

The MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) announced that a MIDI 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held at the Winter NAMM music products show, January 16-19 2003, in Anaheim, California. The MMA promotional activities will be based in Booth 1385 in Hall E of the Anaheim Convention Center.

The MIDI 20th Anniversary Celebration will include a silent auction of MIDI gear used by famous artists as well as product giveaways and 20th Anniversary memorabilia. MMA members are supporting the event by donating new and "vintage" MIDI equipment that will be auctioned off or given away, and many are also providing MIDI products--from keyboards and lighting rigs to cell phones--for display at the booth.

Sponsors include: Yamaha, Korg, Cakewalk, Edirol, Analog Devices, BitHeadz, MadWaves, and Steinberg plus romotional partners NAMM, Music Player Group, and Giles Communications.

"Our goal in celebrating this milestone is to really highlight the commercial impact that MIDI has had on the music products industry," says James Grunke, Event Program Director. "We want manufacturers and dealers alike to be aware of the benefits MIDI technology offers as we all strive to create new music makers, and to show everyone the new market opportunities that arise as MIDI continues to develop and thrive."

Proceeds from the auction will help fund MMA initiatives to grow the market for music makers.