MMR recently surveyed over 2,000 of our readers to try and get a bead on today’s saxophone market. While some of “the usual” topics emerged as hot-button issues (Internet sales, offshore instrument production, the economy), there were a couple other strong trends to be observed.
A list of Dealer’s Choice Award winners from NAMM 2009.
NAMM Meeting Used to Clarify What the Group Is – And Isn’t
“What we want to do is let you know who we are and what our goals are,” announced Independent Music Store Owner’s president Gordy Wilcher at the group’s meeting at NAMM. “There is some confusion.” But mostly, there is a lot of excitement. The group, founded by five MI retailers in early 2007 as an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the market and creating forums where members can exchange ideas, has already grown to over 350 members. In addition to its noble pursuits, the cost to join is certainly attractive. It’s free, though to be a voting member it costs a mere $25 a year. No one in the organization gets paid (monies so far have mostly gone toward legal fees), and members of the board are placed there by vote.
…over 1,500 Exhibitors, attendance nearly 86,000
“When asked recently by the LA Times about the appeal of the NAMM Show, I simply told them that it’s the family reunion of the global music products industry; not just a trade show but a pilgrimage,” says Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “When I was explaining that to the reporter, I couldn’t help but think of Don Johnson who made the trek to NAMM last year in spite of his illness and was able to see so many of the people who cared deeply for him. Sure it will always be about business, but here it means so much more than that.
