Summer NAMM Show Snags 20-percent Increase in Buyers
July 16, 2012
Even though it’s a smaller event than the mammoth winter show, this year’s Summer NAMM event in Nashville packed a punch, drawing a 20-percent increase in buyers, compared with the 2011 event.
Besides more buyers, there also was a 9-percent increase in exhibitors to 372, compared with last year, at the National Association of Music Merchants’ show held July 12-14 at the Nashville Convention Center.
Part of the uptick in exhibitors came from 75 new brands that were on the showfloor and another 75 brands that returned to the show.
In fact, a new brand grabbed the spotlight when it won the “2012 Summer NAMM Best of Show” award.
Jim McGillivary, who won the award and is founder of Four Force that makes the EM1 lightweight amp, said, “This summer show is the best for us. It’s a time to meet local music store owners and buyers in a very music-friendly city.”
Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, said the organization was grateful to all of the people who invested their time and money to attend the Summer NAMM show.
He added, “In spite of the continuing economic challenges, these folks are not sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to get better, but instead seizing the opportunity to increase their competitive advantage as we head into the fall and holiday selling season."
Several educational opportunities also were featured, including the NAMM’s inaugural Retail Boot Camp, which started a day earlier and attracted 100 retailers.
In addition, each morning opened with a NAMM U Breakfast session with guests such as Chip Averwater of Amro Music and author of “Retail Truths.”
Next year’s Summer NAMM show, on tap July 11-13, will have a new home at the Nashville’s Music City Center, which will have a 350,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 57,000 grand ballroom and 1,800 parking spaces.
In the meantime, The NAMM Show will be held Jan. 24-27 in Anaheim. Last year’s show drew more than 60,000 attendees to a 500,000 sq. ft.-plus exhibit floor.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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