NAMM First Timer. What Should I Know?

[Rambo66]

I'm working for a friend's company at NAMM this year, it's my first time going. What should I know?

More importantly, how do you find out about the parties I hear so much about? Are they private? How I do I go?

Thanks!!

[Kid Klash]

1. Get your badge as soon as you get to the convention center.

2. Plan on having your briefcase or instrument case searched each time you leave.

3. Bring your own bottles of water unless you've got a food budget.

4. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own.

5. Bring a camera.

6. Ask your friend to hook you up for the parties... most are by invitation only.

7. Schedule some time to "walk the show".

8. Walk over to the Anaheim Hilton lobby on Friday and/or Saturday evening after the show closes... tons of people, live music, celebrities, babes, booze, lots of "interesting" things to see.

[leopardstar]

how much does it cost to get in, if your just come from off the street?

[Rambo66]

Ask your friend to hook you up for the parties... most are by invitation only.

THAT'S what I want to know. How do you hear about them?

I've heard a little about the Hotel bar scene, car to explain a little more?


Thanks!!

[Kid Klash]

how much does it cost to get in, if your just come from off the street?

It's a trade show, and isn't open to the public, so you'd need a music industry connection to get a pass. They've become very cautous about the passes ("badge") over the last few years because someone was making and selling fake ones. Now they check the bar code on each badge, and run them under special (UV?) lights to make sure they're authentic.

[Kid Klash]

THAT'S what I want to know. How do you hear about them?

I've heard a little about the Hotel bar scene, car to explain a little more?


Thanks!!

Ask your friend that you're going to NAMM to help. The daily NAMM rag ("Upbeat Daily") lists a lot of the functions and parties. If he's new to NAMM too, ask some of the other vendors near you about the parties when you get in.

As for the hotel bar scene, just go and you'll find out pretty fast... ;)

[Hope Drums]

You should get a booklet when you check in that will list some of the NAMM gatherings at "the hang." They are pretty good events...other than that kiss some @$$ to some of the bands that come through and hope you get an invite to a private party!

[HCarlH]

I'm working for a friend's company at NAMM this year, it's my first time going. What should I know?

If you have to eat inside the hall, the best food is down by the DJ equipment...near the Arena.

All the food is overpriced.

Parking is either 10-12 dollars.

If I remember, only red or blue badges (manufacturers and buyers) were allowed to park close. Other peons have to park farther away. :D

Any equipment that leaves the building MUST have a special release form or it's not leaving.

Don't pay attention to Gene Simmons as he passes by with his entourage. He thinks he's God's gift to the world as it is. No need to boost his ego more than necessary.

People that pick up an instrument to play will suck and turn up louder (just like at Guitar Center).

Same people can't play songs....only licks....very badly.

Enjoy the massive amounts of attitude as almost everybody walking around will act as if THEY are the reason the show exists in the first place. ;)

[Hope Drums]

massive amounts of attitude as almost everybody walking around will act as if THEY are the reason the show exists in the first place. ;)

You can say that again...I don't notice it so much with drummers, but with guitarists!

[haze63]

Actually I have taken more flack posting here that all my time at NAMM..but
Yes there are dicks at NAMM:mad::mad:












http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa10/joehazeoffical/banner01.jpg (http://joe-haze.com)

[gtrbass]

NAMM Primer
Once again the annual pilgrimage to the "musical mecca" at the Anaheim convention center is upon us. For those who have never been to NAMM, it is a highly charged event which borders on the boundaries of sanity for those who don't quite understand it's inner workings. During the day the convention floor is a combination of the world's largest music store and rush hour at grand central station.

While a few true "RockStars" and many generally lesser known but still truly famous musicians are out and about, the best people watching at NAMM is to keep your eye out for a breed of animal known as "The Wannabe" (Poserus Anaheimus). This species of (ahem) "musician" is usually one with marginal technical ability, but an uncanny knack for looking the part either due to a genetic predisposition, or intimate knowledge of small grooming and wardrobe details. One particular party gazelle seen in the last few NAMM expeditions is called "The Symbol" (Princeus Wannbeus). This Peacock bears a striking resemblance to Prince. I once nearly bagged him in the foyer of Hall E at NAMM 2005, but I was forced to let him go by humanitarian (and great bassist) Tony Levin, who reminded me of the "catch and release back into the wild" policy in force. It was a shame, as he would have looked so good mounted on the wall in my den.

Another species well represented at NAMM is the "booth bunny" (Bimbous Biggus Rackus). Booth bunnies are fun to watch and best viewed from a slight distance. The reason is that it's absolutely hilarious to watch them interact with 30-40 something businessmen trying to rekindle their youth with inane pickup lines like "Here, would you like one of Eddie Van Halen's guitar picks?" Younger male attendees are also highly amusing with their own brand of pickup expertise which generally starts with "Duhh..uhh...uhh...how's it goin'?" While Booth Bunnies themselves can be quite a sight to behold, they are not known for their cunning intellect. In fact they are often bamboozled by the previously mentioned "Wannabe" (Poserus Anaheimus) and duped into the false belief that they've hooked up with a genuine member of the elusive "Rockstar" club... until they wake up in a studio apartment in North Hollywood!!! Some of the best sightings of Booth bunnies on the show floor can be found at Dean guitars (where the '80's are alive and well), and formerly at the Gemini DJ product booth (Psst...FLIPPER!!!). This year, a reliable rumor has it that Loud Technologies will have a nice complement of Booth Bunnies (a first for them) including a 'suicide girl' bartender serving drinks!!!

It is often said that NAMM after hours is where the actual business is done. While I won't go into that, it is quite good fun. Many of the manufacturers go to great lengths to display their hospitality to the retailers and other attendees. There are concerts and one off musical performances that happen at NAMM and nowhere else. Between the close of the show floor and the 9:00hour, the great gathering place is the Anaheim Hilton Bar. It is the central location to meet up with friends and associates and plan the evening's activities. In this room you will find Wannabes, Booth Bunnies, vendors, journalists, musicians, and Rockstars all mingled together. And who says we all can't get along? One thing to remember is "what happens at NAMM stays at NAMM". My fondest personal memory is buying John Entwhistle (RIP) a drink at the Hilton bar during the late '90's and having a conversation with him.

[MikeRivers]

how much does it cost to get in, if your just come from off the street?Read it and weep (http://www.namm.org/membership) If you don't have a connection, you have to join NAMM, and in order to do that, they have to believe that you're associated with the music industry trade, not as a player, studio, or consumer. About the closest they come to letting in the tire kickers off the street is that they offer visitor badges to NARAS members, but there's usually a short deadline for that and I'm sure it's passed. It's easier and cheaper to join NARAS than NAMM, so remember that for next year.

That being said, there are a whole lot of people in attendance who are "guests" of manufacturers, or go on extra badges that members get and don't use. Ask your local music store if they have an uncommitted badge.

[MikeRivers]

I'm working for a friend's company at NAMM this year, it's my first time going. What should I know?Bring ear plugs, or if you don't have any, pick up a few sets (free) at the House Ear Institute booth. Eat a good breakfast. Food in the convention center is expensive and not very good, the restaurants at the hotels on Convention Center Way are mobbed. Best deal is a Pizza Hut and a Starbucks that has sandwiches and salads in the Marriott complex. Bring a bottle of water. It's safe to refill it from the water fountains (and at least that's free). Be very afraid of the Drum Circle. At least they don't have the Worlds Fastest Drummer constant racket this year. More importantly, how do you find out about the parties I hear so much about? Are they private? How I do I go?They're really intended to be bribes for the dealers, but there are some open for the asking - grovel for a pass at the booths. There's a listing of the more or less open events in The Playback (http://www.thenammshow.com/files/pdfs/NS08_Playback_Supplement.pdf) show program supplement that will give you a clue as to where to grovel. Karl Winkler of Lectrosonics posted an announcement here for a party that his company is sponsoring. It's a pretty nice one, not too loud, good music. The closed parties often have decent food and drinks. Among the open ones, a high class party has pretzels on the tables.

[LowandLoudx97]

Do you actually get a laminate when you get there? I just recieved my "artist' pass from Korg but it is not in badge form, will i need to laminate this myself?

[elsongs]

Do you actually get a laminate when you get there? I just recieved my "artist' pass from Korg but it is not in badge form, will i need to laminate this myself?

They have badge holders free in the lobby where you place the paper badge card in. The badge holder is meant to be pinned to your shirt. OR, you can just go to the Roland or Yamaha booth (the latter is in the Marriott ballroom) and pick up their velcro badge holders, which have a lanyard string that goes around your neck.

[LowandLoudx97]

awsome, good to know! thanks....

[MikeRivers]

you can just go to the Roland or Yamaha booth (the latter is in the Marriott ballroom) and pick up their velcro badge holders, which have a lanyard string that goes around your neck.I hate those things. I don't like wearing one myself, and they seem to defy the law of probability, showing the back side of the badge far more often than the front side with the name. I like to know who I'm talking to, and my short term memory isn't good enough to remember a stranger's name through a conversation. It's embarrassing to say say "Thanks for the info, Dave" and I've been talking to Steve.


http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smiley%20Land/Spy.gif

[girly]

People that pick up an instrument to play will suck and turn up louder (just like at Guitar Center).

Same people can't play songs....only licks....very badly.

Enjoy the massive amounts of attitude as almost everybody walking around will act as if THEY are the reason the show exists in the first place. ;)

That is hilarious!!!!!! Just like guitar center, haha. It's my first time going!! Super pumped! hope to see some of ya'll there.

[pipelineaudio]

Me and the REAPER developers will be there. This is my first NAMM show, and I thought I was prepared, but now Im a bit frightened after reading this thread.