NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia Integrate the ‘Music Moscow’ Musical-Instrument Fair

NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia have taken over ‘Music Moscow,’ bringing a complete musical instrument, music-products, and event technology experience to better serve the rapidly growing Russian market.

In future, there will be one unique event at one venue for all suppliers and users of musical instruments, sheet music and music production, encompassing manufacturers and users of technologies and services for events, installations and productions. Thus, Music Moscow and its product groups – musical instruments, professional sound, lighting, broadcasting and film equipment, as well as studio and stage technologies – will be integrated into the concept of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia.

In order to provide the continuity of a strong Russia-based marketplace, the organizers of NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia have decided to change the venue dates for the 2014 edition of their shows and move to the former Music Moscow venue – Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre in Moscow. With this move, both shows will take place earlier in September: NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia will now be held at the Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre in Moscow, from September 11-14 and September 11-13, respectively.

“We are very pleased about this merger, which not only strengthens our fairs in Moscow but also means we can provide an even more attractive platform for the music market in Russia and the CIS”, said Cordelia von Gymnich, vice president Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, explaining the company’s strategic step.  

“We are delighted to have found a partner with so much experience and such a strong sales organisation for our former exhibitors. Messe Frankfurt and NAMM have an excellent reputation in the world market and many years of experience in organising fairs for the musical instrument and event technology sectors,” said Vladimir Pruglo, general director and co-founder of Music Moscow. Vladimir Pruglo will advise the event team for the coming three years and contribute his expertise and contacts in the Russian market.

“There are more than 140 million people in Russia, a fast-growing middle class, and an almost infinite variety of opportunities in relation to the infrastructure,” said Eugen Alles, CEO of Messe Frankfurt RUS. “Russia has a network of more than 5,000 music schools for children and young people, and an active, lively, and highly developed music culture. Merging the two fairs and bundling the product groups will generate synergistic effects for exhibitors and visitors. Moreover, it will enable us to improve the degree of penetration of the event in the Russian music market.”

“The integration of the two shows makes it easier for our Members and non-Members alike to make a decision about participation in trade shows in the growing Russian market,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “To be able to combine the strengths of NAMM and Messe Frankfurt with the long history of Music Moscow’s standing in the market can only be a good thing for the industry and will help us serve the industry better and support market growth for everyone.”

NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia are perfectly positioned to cater to the growing demand in the music-product and pro-audio and lighting sectors. At the second edition of the fairs in May 2013, more than 130 manufacturers and dealers from 15 countries came together with 9,381 unique trade and private visitors. This represents an increase of 49 percent over the first event in 2012. The complementary programmes of the fairs encompassed more than 90 events, ranging from seminars and conferences to a music festival for music lovers. For the coming year, the new concept of the fair also includes the opening of the fair for music lovers at the weekend and will give them the chance to take part in a variety of master classes, music festivals and concerts.