Numbers Up for 2014 NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia

Muscovites and guests from beyond the capital and Russia welcomed two successful business platforms for the music products industry. Picturesque Sokolniki Park played host to NAMM Musikmesse Russia, International Fair for Musical Instruments, Sheet Music, Music Production and Music Business Connections, and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia, the International Fair of Technologies and Services for Events, Installation and Production, from September 11 – 14. The shows’ third edition was a breakthrough, according to many attendees. After a successful incorporation of the Music Moscow show into the events, this unified, complete business platform brought together manufacturers and attendees from across the world with Russian and CIS retailers, distributors, music educators, corporate buyers and more. Total attendance at this year’s shows increased by 42 percent over 2013’s record attendance to 13,169 unique visitors.

Exhibitors noted not only the quantitative growth but also the high level of professionalism and buoyant business mood of the attendees. Attendees of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia included importers, theater technicians, retailers, concert venue representatives, conductors, sound and light directors, festival and concert organizers, music teachers, students, and both amateur and professional musicians.

Despite initial doubts about participating in the exhibition due to the difficult situation in Russia, Yamaha Music was satisfied with their return to NAMM Musikmesse Russia in 2014. "We returned after a year’s absence with the single desire to make the world a better place through music in these times of tension. We were delighted by the excellent turnout of attendees, which doubtlessly is tied to the very good marketing and advertising campaign of the organisers. Our artist Nathan East and the ‘Yamaha Band Contest Final Russia’ attracted many enthusiasts, who stayed listening to the music even after the show closed. We feel that our participation under the global corporate slogan ‘Passion and Performance’ has been a brilliant success, and that through the show we can help develop the culture of the music industry in Russia,” said Jiro Ohno, general director of Yamaha Music Russia.

Alun Hughes, international regional sales manager of D’Addario and Company, Inc., warmly praised his company’s show experience. “We are very satisfied with the show. We did what we came here to do. We’re very happy with the turnout of the distributors we needed to see and with consumer interest at the show,” Hughes said. “Dynatone, in whose booth we exhibited, organized a dealer meeting as well, and we had one-on-one face time with dealers from across the whole country. This allowed us to focus on pitching new products. The show is very well organized, and the venue is much improved.”

Peter Mettler, General Manager, 2 M Deutschland GmbH, Germany, was happily surprised by his show experience. “The show has grown a lot, the exhibitors are all putting on very professional displays with huge booths and you can see they invest in the shows and the market. From the start we were very busy with the right kind of people. The quality of the visitors has been very high. They come asking very informed, detailed technical questions.”

Robert Goetz, CEO, BAM, France, observed that the show was a good choice for his company’s needs. “We have been at the show from the first year, and it seems that this third year has been a breakthrough,” he said. “We’re happy with both frequency and quality of visitors as well as with the organization of the show. The official hotel was a very good value, too, and in walking distance.”

Overall, more than 190 companies representing an even greater number of brands showcased a wide spectrum of international music products brands as well as the latest event and entertainment technology. The shows received the official support of the Moscow Department of Culture. The Moscow P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Institute of Culture and Art Education Development, the Russian state musical TV center "Orpheus," the Association of Musical Theatres and many other public and private organizations also offered their endorsement and support.

NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia presented an exciting program of events targeting both trade and public visitors. Highlights of the program included NAMM U educational sessions for retailers, workshops for craftsmen, music educators and sound, lighting and theatre professionals, seminars for rental companies and event agencies, and various sessions for musicians and performers.

In addition to educational sessions, live music filled the air. NAMM Musikmesse Russia presented live music on its main stage throughout the show from performers including Nathan East, Marco Mendoza, Therr Maitz, the Symphony Orchestra of the P.I Tchaikovsky Conservatory and many more.

Brands such as TW Audio, AGL audio, DAS Audio, Voice Acoustic, ProTone, Harman, VUE audiotechnik, Coda Audio and RCF staged demonstrations of their concert sound installation systems’ features.

The shows included several contests. Yamaha Music Company presented a battle of young bands, Martin Pro staged a lighting artists competition, drummers competed for the title of Russia’s Fastest Drummer, and visitors submitted entries for the most creative photograph (taken against a backdrop of the shows’ logos).

Finally, a children’s music festival included “Viva Music!” and the interactive studio “Visiting the Violin Masters” were supported by the Moscow Department of Culture.

For more information about the shows, visit the official fair websites: www.namm-musikmesse.ru and www.prolight-namm.ru.