by Peter Wolf.

Peter Wolf

Unlike in other parts of the world where musical instrument trade shows are also always consumer shows (consumers can get in as well, not only manufacturers, distributors and dealers), the NAMM show used to be for professional members of the industry only (manufacturers, retailers, distributors and educational enterprises). The aisles at NAMM used to be neat and nice but rather empty. Everyone had enough space to walk and everybody had enough time to talk to everybody. For a long time, in my opinion, NAMM didn’t pay enough attention to the actual consumer. The consumer, who in the end purchases a guitar, a mixing console, a drum set or a harmonica, is how we all are making a living.

Other international shows, like the Messe Frankfurt in Germany or the Chinese show in Shanghai and most other trade shows around the world, have at least one consumer day. On those days, everybody can enter the trade show and see everything of interest. All he has to do is buy a ticket.

Trade show organizers compete in international markets and, therefore, it became more important to produce respectable visitor numbers and create more revenue. Furthermore, there was pressure from retailers and manufacturers to be more liberal in letting actual customers (musicians, labels, producers, management, their employees, friends and families) in. As a result, trade shows in Europe and Asia have been providing a more consumer-friendly environment, which has led to more business on one side but has also helped development of certain projects on the other. You sometimes see entire schools taking field trips to some of the international shows and as we all know, these kids are our future.

Looking at NAMM 2007 through this camera angle, it was apparent that more consumers than ever visited the show. The aisles were packed, time and space was rare and the zoo in the Hilton Bar after an exhausting show day had more new species to present than ever before. [See: The Gathering of the Tribe]

It is safe to assume that NAMM finally understood the signs and has opened the floodgates, which also brought a higher number of local visitors. Music was everywhere and the noise level consequently reached new heights. Every night, bands played in the Hilton and Mariott Bars and other hotels around the convention center and there were more NAMM parties/shows then I can remember. Of course, it was also a more difficult work environment for the men and woman working the show. Something’s got to give.

I would like to leave it up to Modern Guitars to cover the show for you as far as overall news is concerned (link). I really never have enough time to walk the show and see other companies and their products. I usually try to make my rounds Sunday afternoon before break down but it never goes beyond saying hello to good friends and peers in the industry.

We (PRS Guitars) had a very good show despite the decreased dealer attendance I noticed. Our booth was swamped pretty much all the time. The new instruments were well received and we threw another fun party at the Grove, featuring the James Brown Band, guitar slingers such as Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge, who did a great Led Zeppelin medley together with Alter Bridge singer Miles Kennedy), Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Pat Travers, Nicky Moroch (David Sanburn), David Grissom (The Dixxie Chicks), Paul Allender (Cradle of Filth), the Johnny Hiland Band, Warren Haynes, Rockers Cactus, and many more.

The ‘legendary’ Paul Reed Smith house band with Paul Smith and Michael Ault on guitar, Gary Grainger (bass), his brother Greg (drums) and singer/guitar player Derek St.Holmes provided a safe musical net for our guests throughout the night. We were also filming live footage and interviews for our upcoming new PRS DVD, which should be finished this summer.

Overall numbers were certainly up at Winter NAMM 2007. Business seemed to have been good for most exhibitors and there wasn’t a lack of interest considering the masses of visitors. I’ll be talking to some friends in other companies over the next weeks to find out what their take is while I’m getting ready for the Frankfurt Messe at the end of March. I also have some Supernatural news for you next time.