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
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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