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Traveling from New Zealand to Anaheim for The NAMM Show: A Journey into the Heart of Music Innovation

If you're a musician or a professional in the audio industry, the NAMM Show is an experience that’s unrivalled. Held annually in Anaheim, California, it’s the world’s largest music products trade show, bringing together thousands of industry experts, musicians, audio engineers, producers, and influencers. As a visitor traveling from New Zealand, the experience of attending NAMM is nothing short of extraordinary, whether you’re there to network, learn, discover the next big thing in music technology, or simply tick it off your bucket list. Even though it's the eighth time I've been, it's a surreal experience that never gets old.

The Magnitude of the NAMM Show

The NAMM Show spans several halls in the Anaheim Convention Center, covering over a million square feet. You'd be lying if you claimed to have seen everything. Every year, the show attracts more than 100,000 people from all over the world. The show brings together professionals from all corners of the music industry: instrument manufacturers, software developers, recording engineers, producers, and anyone with a passion for making music. it's huge!

Pro Audio: A Massive Focus at NAMM

For anyone working in pro audio, it’s a goldmine of innovation and networking. With over 7,000 brands and exhibitors showcasing the latest products and technologies, it is the only event for pro audio of this size. From soon to be released products and software, to potential products printed as 3D models, the event serves as a launchpad for products pushing the boundaries of sound quality and engineering. For example an idea I saw back at a show in 2010 has now turned into a hugely successful pro audio company.

There are thousands of renowned musicians and producers who attend for pro audio, so you can find yourself rubbing shoulders with industry icons also getting a glimpse into the future of sound. It's the heart of the pro audio calendar where magic truly happens and deals are made.

Visiting our Pro Audio Partners

Something I look forward to every year is to meeting our pro audio partners in person. These companies aren’t just business partners—they’re friends. I've known most of them for over a decade. Catching up in person (not email) is really important. The same goes for meeting new manufacturers—a 5 minute meeting can cover more than a month of emailing, or years of harassing. These manufacturers genuinely care about supporting local artists and producers and want to make sure they're developing the tools they need to succeed. Chats range from popular products, to ideas for new products, to how bespoke solutions are working out for our customers—it’s not just about selling gear. 

Navigating through the crowded aisles, exhibits, and meeting spaces can feel like an obstacle course. It's not easy getting around to all the meetings, because the floor space is huge with tens of thousands of attendees. It feels like 'your challenge today' is go here at this time, then here etc. It's taken multiple NAMMs to know the best entrance, the secret outdoor spaces, where the water fountains are, and at all costs no matter what, to avoid the drums—imagine at least 50 stands all testing cymbals at once. 

Inspiration to Bring New Products Back to New Zealand

NAMM is key to discovering new products, fresh ideas and a broader understanding of the global audio industry. The show serves as a source of endless inspiration, with new products and technologies unveiled. The connections made at NAMM create opportunities to partner with international manufacturers, to bring cutting-edge technology to New Zealand, giving Kiwi professionals access to the latest tools and technologies. 

NAMM is the ultimate destination for those looking to stay ahead of the curve in the music industry. It's a transformative experience. Whether you’re from New Zealand or anywhere else in the world, the show offers a rare opportunity to see the future of music technology unfold before your eyes. 

So there you have it, NAMM in a nutshell. The journey to Anaheim is well worth it for anyone passionate about the world of music and audio and I haven't even mentioned the gigs!