The upcoming 2024 NAMM Show will represent a break – pun unintended, but it stays (Don’t worry; It’ll make sense shortly…) – in my heretofore uninterrupted 23-year streak of never missing one of our industry’s annual gatherings in Anaheim.
This is not a decision made without great consideration, or taken lightly. As is the case for most readers of MMR, the NAMM Show provides me with not only an opportunity to learn, in a very first-person way, of innovations and developments that will be shaping our industry for the coming months, but also a chance to connect with longtime friends and colleagues in a way that, in many cases, only occurs in late January of each year. Sure, COVID-19 led to other disruptions to this annual tradition, but 2024 is the first instance of the MI world (most of it, anyway) converging on Orange County without me along for the ride. (Note: the rest of the MMR team will, of course, be in Anaheim, as usual. Stop by booth #6315 and say hello!)
To say that I’m not a fan of this development would be an understatement.
Why won’t I be in Anaheim this January? My absence was facilitated by an unmarked, unlit three-foot deep drainage ditch running alongside the edge of a Mexican street during a brief “birthday trip” in early December. Two gnarly breaks, multiple screws, a titanium plate, and many upcoming weeks/months of rehab and recovery later and… yup, no NAMM Show for me this year.
Why do I care so much?
It’s not just about missing out on ogling and playing all the new guitars and basses, ogling and playing (extremely poorly, mind you) the new drum kits, or trying to comprehend and pre-budget for newly released pro audio gear; It’s not only that I’ll be missing out on convivial chats with colleagues over a quick cup of coffee during the afternoon or an “adult beverage” at night; It’s not even the loss of the always-welcome pause from winter temps in Boston, the late-night escape to get my yearly In-N-Out fix, or the opportunity to indulge in the swanky eats and big-time “awards show vibe” at the TEC Awards. The NAMM Show, for me, represents the most tangible, boots-on-the-ground opportunity to feel truly part of our collective group, a member of this uniquely wonderful MI tribe. Each year, I’m re-energized by the forward thinking projects announced by the passionate and creative suppliers on-hand at the Convention Center, and I’m reconvinced that I’ve cast my “professional career” lot with an industry worth caring about.
2024 sees a resumption of the usual NAMM Show dates on the calendar and, with that, the return of a number of brands, large and small, that had been opting out of some or all of such events post-COVID. But not all of the usual suspects – some longtime, major mainstays – have chosen to return. Yet.
Why doesn’t everyone “care” as much as I do and want to be there?
Well, it’s not so simple as that, really. And it’s not only a matter of “caring.” To attend events like the NAMM Show is no minor decision. Between airfare, hotel, and food costs – and, for exhibitors, ponying up for booth-space – it’s a real financial commitment. Any executive team worth its salt needs to weigh the ROI of any and all decisions that carry with them hefty price-tags, so it stands to reason that certain folks may not feel it (yet) makes sense to come back to Anaheim, particularly if their business seems to be doing just fine without attending such industry conventions.
For my part, I hope that the 2024 NAMM Show is such a roaring success that all no-shows for this year consider plotting a different course for 2025 and that NAMM, itself, continues its already admirable efforts to make attending both more affordable and of increasing value to both exhibitors and visitors.
May next year find even more suppliers setting up shop on the Convention Hall floor – and may it once again find me frantically running from booth to booth, press conference to award presentation, evening concert to Award Show… and hopping in a midnight cab from the hotel to In-N-Out!
Have a great 2024 NAMM Show, MMR readers! Do me a favor and share your thoughts on this year’s event (funny anecdotes, gripes, praise, after-the-fact assessments, and silly photos welcome!) by shooting me an email: christian@mmrmagazine.com
In Today’s Music Business… Time-Tested Practices Still Serve You Well