Summer Namm Show 2010

[motorcitychick]

Who went to the show in Nashville and what are your thoughts?

[chequepoint]

It was nice, better traffic than last year. I didn't see anything life changing. New products from Pedal Train were interesting, had a nice conversation with TV Jones, 3rd Power Amps are taking some of their innovations and repackaging them with a little more practicality in mind. I enjoyed myself.

[chequepoint]

Also..
www.jbacklund.com guitars look way cooler in person, and unlike a lot of novelty guitars I've played.. Play fantastic!

[oslo]

Did anyone see anything of the John Mayer "the Black One" that was supposed to show up at summer namm??

[motorcitychick]

Fender, Gibson, Marshall, Peavey, Vox, Ampeg, Dunlop, Dean Markley, Ovation.
PRS, ESP, Dean, Etc. were all no shows. The big manufacturers did not come to summer Namm. This show was small compared to previous years, where it was wall to wall people and products. The winter show is what I am looking forward to and all the new products from the manufacturers that were not at the summer show, plus all the swag! The manufacturers that were at the summer show, were nice and took the time to explain their product to you. Once the new convention center is completed in Nashville, I hope the summer show will expand.

[HyakuShiki]

What's funny/definition of sadface, is the fact that one of my friends from high school's stepfather works for Gibson's custom department, and they host an artist performance at her house every year. Hopefully next year, I can convince her to get me a pass. She said she thinks she can, and if she does, I'll provide a great big write up.

[chequepoint]

The big companies are pulling out in general, you'll see less of them at Winter NAMM next year. Just like Apple pulling out of trade shows, if Fender and Gibson show up, they have to spend a fortune to out do everyone, and all they do is provide traffic to their competition.
All of those companies were here at Summer NAMM, just in secret hotel rooms where they quietly invite their high dollar clients in for a private meeting.

Originally Posted by motorcitychick

Fender, Gibson, Marshall, Peavey, Vox, Ampeg, Dunlop, Dean Markley, Ovation.
PRS, ESP, Dean, Etc. were all no shows. The big manufacturers did not come to summer Namm. This show was small compared to previous years, where it was wall to wall people and products. The winter show is what I am looking forward to and all the new products from the manufacturers that were not at the summer show, plus all the swag! The manufacturers that were at the summer show, were nice and took the time to explain their product to you. Once the new convention center is completed in Nashville, I hope the summer show will expand.

[K-Line]

Was not impressed. It was dull in general. Nothing made me really want to stop except the Samick booth but was not guitar related if you catch my drift. I wanted to see the small builder stuff but not much there. I have to say this was my first crack at a NAMM show and I do not think I will return again as a vendor nor a visitor. I think Arlington is a better show for getting the word out.

[dspellman]

Originally Posted by K-Line

Was not impressed. It was dull in general. Nothing made me really want to stop except the Samick booth but was not guitar related if you catch my drift. I wanted to see the small builder stuff but not much there. I have to say this was my first crack at a NAMM show and I do not think I will return again as a vendor nor a visitor. I think Arlington is a better show for getting the word out.

The NAMM show in Anaheim is always the major event. Summer NAMM has never been anything like that; a Robin next to Batman.

[motorcitychick]

Yea the winter show is the big kahunga!

[guitarlifestyle]

The traffic seemed to be up just a bit from last year, but like last year a somewhat disappointing experience. I wonder if Nashville's new convention center, which opens in 11 or 12 will change the size of the show. As has already been mentioned, it may just be too much money for the major manufacturers to attend.

[chequepoint]

Trade shows are an endangered species. You used to have to do them to get word to all the stores when you had new product. Now all you need is a press release, a webpage, a video demo, and an email blast.

That is.. unless you're a little guy..

[Stadler Guitars]

I put up a tabletop display for the first time this summer. It was pretty mellow, but great to run into so many people I know and good to get so much positive interest, particularly from pro players.

The summer show was it when in Chicago back in the day. It makes sense that the summer show be the main one because the bulk of retail sales is in the fall, and Nashville is an eight hour drive for 80% of the U.S. population. The winter show is the big one because it is in the winter in California. It's like a tax-deductible vacation/party.

[smolder]

The trade show biz is about building expectations and seeing everything at once. For the company on display, if they don't show... people wonder... if they do show they typically 'gain' nothing (but spend a fortune). That said... it is how you (as a company) bridge up from an unknown to a player in the biz.

[guitarlifestyle]

I just got a press release that registrations were down by 4% compared to last year. I still think foot traffic looked to be up, but I was pretty disappointed by last year's turn out, which might be clouding my memory.