How can I get in NAMM 2009??

[DreamSound]

Ok, so this year I drove all the way to Hollywood to buy a pass for like $30 bucks from some guy on Craigslist. Then I went to Anaheim for NAMM 08 and this was the first time they were checking for ID's!! The guy who I got the pass from was actually cool about it (love Craigslist's black market customer service) and offered to give me my money back but driving another hour to Hollywood and back wasn't worth the gas or time.

SO, next year I'm committed to do this right. I don't officially work in the industry YET but I write a lot of articles about your products on my website!!

How can I get my own legit pass?

EDIT: Thanks to one of the users who read this I will be attending NAMM 2009!!!

I will do an extensive video coverage on recording gear
and software for you guys on the Digital Musicians website

[Matt Whritenour]

wow I just figured it would work like AES but a quick google search proved me wrong. The best thing to do would probably be to find a gear company as close as possible to where you live and call them and see if they can give you an extra ticket. I don't see how the pass you bought for $30 couldn't get you in.

[Chaellus]

you ha ve to be part of the company they check your id to see if it matches the placard

[GilWave]

AES is a end-user based show, catering to engineers to keep them up to date on new technologies, standards, and future direction. The product exhibits are ancillary to the educational sessions, white papers, and workshops, and are only there to "present" new products and technology to AES members. Selling is not allowed, although it does happen on the DL.

AES members are invited to attend, access to the exhibit hall is free but access to certain papers and workshops costs money. The general audio/muso public is invited to attend the exhibits for $30, but manufacturers and press (and Gearslutz) can offer free admission.

NAMM is a trade-only business show catering to domestic and international dealers and distributors, and the product exhibits are an integral part of the show, allowing the dealers and distributors to see what's new, negotiate deals and plan their purchasing for the next 6 to 12 months.

Only employees of the exhibiting manufacturers and/or NAMM member retailers and distributors are allowed to attend, along with credentialed members of the press.

Exhibitors are alloted a specific number of badges based on the square footage of their booth, after which a $25 fee per badge is assessed. Dealers are allowed a certain number of badges based on different criteria.

In the past, if you knew someone who worked at Guitar Center or Sam Ash or whatever, you could get a badge from them and attend the show. As this method of getting badges got out of hand, NAMM cracked down and started ID'ing people and matching the badge name to the ID.

So to answer your question "How can I get my own legit pass?", the answer is if you are not in the business than you can't 'legitimately' get one.

You can try, however, to align yourself with a manufacturer and get a badge with your name on it in exchange for doing demos in their booth or offering some other service that they would find valuable.

[DreamSound]

GilWave, I remember last year there were a couple of legitimate opportunities to get a bagde with your name from a manufacturer like you mentioned. I live close by so I'm definitely willing to do that. Last NAMM I saw two ads for opportunities to help out but it was a last minute thing so I didn't get to them.

I also saw a membership with a certain association or magazine (cannot remember, its been a few months) and part of their membership benefits consisted in getting a badge with your name for NAMM 08. I'll be looking for something like that as well.

I left aside why this is important to me. I'm working on a community website for 'digital musicians' and although I'm not involved in the industry now, I should be soon.

[W. M. Hellinger]

I believe you can purchase a visitor pass at the entrance.

I don't know how you get a visitor's pass, but this might be one avenue:

Contact Us | Wanna Play Music

[colinmiller]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already. But you could start up a company and start manufacturing gear for sale. I think that would qualify you to get in if none of the other ideas work.

I'm just sayin..

[colinmiller]

Originally Posted by W. M. Hellinger

I believe you can purchase a visitor pass at the entrance.

I don't know how you get a visitor's pass, but this might be one avenue:

Contact Us | Wanna Play Music

Usually the last day is open to the public who can buy passes for that day. Not sure if that's how it is every year.

[DreamSound]

I'm looking forward to sell certain brands of gear, plug-ins and software. You have to meet certain monthly quotas and other requeriments depending on the company.

I'm working on building this new site, the content, researching target market, a user base and a decent number of monthly hits but this takes several months.

[hanuman]

Call a company that is represented at NAMM. Ask them if they put you on their list.
They have guest/customer relation passes.

[phaqu]

You could join NAMM for a nominal yearly fee (dont know if you need a business license to show).
Or just have a friend who owns a music store whos also a NAMM member.

And BTW, Ive ALWAYS been checked for ID at the door (since 03) to see if my name matches my badge..At least on the first 2 days.

[W. M. Hellinger]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

Usually the last day is open to the public who can buy passes for that day. Not sure if that's how it is every year.

Could be, I dunno... but in years past (including last year) it seems there's a high percentage of attendees with yellow (visitor) badges at the show all 4 days.

[big country]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already. But you could start up a company and start manufacturing gear for sale. I think that would qualify you to get in if none of the other ideas work.

I'm just sayin..

how it should be!

gear manufactures . build gear , gear manufactuers share Ideas .
they have a convention so gear manufactures can sell there products to
to gear vendors ...

does any of this sound relivant to you !

if not dont waste your time and dont waste their time!

its not swap meet

to keep it unconfusing...

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

Usually the last day is open to the public who can buy passes for that day. Not sure if that's how it is every year.

Not true.

[colinmiller]

Originally Posted by GilWave

Not true.

It was last year. Was that a one time thing?

[slaves666]

They have never checked my ID.....

[Chaellus]

they checked mine but i was legit anyways so it didnt matter...ill be there 09

[Greg Curtis]

They were fanatical about ID checks last year. I joined NAMM, but I had to show a business license, had to show invoices and receipts from 2 NAMM members doing business with me, had to show some other annoying things as well. Then the fee was a couple hundred bucks. Definitely NOT worth it to see the same crap that's at AES. Unless you are into trombones and guitars.

Horrible bands playing, too.

Greg

.

[Chaellus]

they get you on the beers i swear i was deciding wheter to leave to go to the liquor store have a few drinks and come back...but no i bit the bullet and bought there overly expensive domestic beer but i did get to see alot of cool stuff

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

It was last year. Was that a one time thing?

NAMM has never been open to the public. The idea of having a "public day" on the last day of the show has been floated around the membership for 15 years, but it is always voted down.

The last day (Sunday) is typically the slowest, as most of the dealers and buyers fly home in order to be back at work for Monday. So some manufacturers felt it would be good to let the public in on Sunday to keep the aisles full. The MusikMesse is Frankfurt has been doing this with great success over the years.

The problem is that NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is so oriented to wholesale business it would be difficult for most exhibitors to switch gears, put away all their wholesale pricing and promotional material, and transition from dealers and distributors to end users.

[NEgearhead]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

It was last year. Was that a one time thing?

There isn't a day that is open to the public. Maybe they'll change that someday in the distant future, but when you talk to people at the show itself, they don't seem to want a public day. The last thing Exhibitors want (and dealers too) is to for the public to see wholesale prices. Not good for biz.

Also, NAMM has cracked down on all badge allotments. Exhibitors and dealers used to be able to buy additional passes, but not anymore. Each company has a set amount, and you can't get more. I talked to some folks at NAMM and they said ID's WILL be checked this year (as well as every other show/year from now on).

So, bottom line....if you can't get a badge from a NAMM member, then you're not gonna get into the show. It's a closed to the public for a reason. Let the exhibitors and dealers get their business done. if you're looking for somethin' new and special, let a dealer who is going know....maybe he'll look for it for you and you can buy it later.

[ToddP]

Originally Posted by DreamSound

I'm working on building this new site, the content, researching target market, a user base and a decent number of monthly hits but this takes several months.

You might be able to qualify for a press badge. Call NAMM and see how to qualify. You probably will have to pay for membership.

If you ever tried to get from Hall A to Hall D on Saturday, you would understand why they are cracking down on badge allotment. The point about wholesale prices and specials is important as well.

[fhames]

Join NARAS(Grammy)

[Lorddiagram]

Last year Sunday was open to the public.


lD

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by Lorddiagram

Last year Sunday was open to the public.

Originally Posted by colinmiller

It was last year. Was that a one time thing?

That is simply not true.

NAMM has yet to have a "public day". It would have to be voted on by the membership. The last several times it was brought up it got shot down before it could even be voted on.

Here are the details and requirements for this year's show. You have to either be a retail member (dealer/music store), a manufacturer/distributor member or an exhibitor member. The only non-members allowed in are the press, and employees and invited guests of members (artists/visitors). Dealers and Exhibitors are alloted a specific number of badges according to the size of the company (dealer) or the size in square footage of booth space rented (exhibitor). Until this year, visitor badges over the amount allotted could be purchased at $25 each. This practice has been discontinued (see below):

"The NAMM Show welcomes retail music store buyers, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, distributors and publishers of the music products industry, professional audio,
sound and lighting companies, and commercial recording studios.

Employee Badges: Employee Badges are intended for Exhibitor’s employees who will not be involved in installation, dismantle or moving products into and out of the Event.

Visitor/Artist/Industry Associate badges: Visitor badges are intended for the guests of Exhibitor Employees. Artist badges are intended for Artists endorsed by Exhibiting companies.
Industry Associate badges are intended for personnel that are associated with Exhibiting companies. These include but are not limited to Photographers, Bankers, Investors, Writers
and Publishers."

On-site general registration will open Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 8 a.m.

NEW: Important Badge Policy Change Concerning Minors Visiting NAMM Trade Shows

Non-trade/industry visitors under the age of 16 may not attend NAMM trade shows

Trade/industry minors under the age of 16 may only attend NAMM trade shows if they are:
1. Retail employees as verified by an active NAMM Member company
2. Endorsed artists as verified by an active NAMM Member company

To attend a NAMM show, qualified minors must:
Be accompanied by an adult at all times
Have completed a Minor Release Form at On-Site Registration
Be wearing the appropriate NAMM trade show badge

IMPORTANT NOTE: For safety reasons, minors are not permitted on the trade show floor during setup or teardown

Show Location and Hours
(Hall E and the NAMM Idea Center open at 9:30 a.m. each day of the show)

Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92802

Thursday, January 15 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, January 16 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, January 17 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

How do I request additional badges over my company's allotment?

In order to combat the growing visitor badge situation at the NAMM Show, over-allotment badges are unavailable this year. Visit our Badge Allotment Policy Statement for more info.

On-Site Registration Fees

NAMM Members: $25 (Subject to allotment)
Replacement Badge: $50 (One per person)

Not a NAMM Member? Join NAMM and attend the 2009 NAMM Show.

General Registration Hours
(Located in Room 201 (Level 2) of the Anaheim Convention Center)

Wednesday, January 14 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, January 15 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Friday, January 16 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Saturday, January 17 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Badges are required and must be visible at all times while inside the Anaheim Convention Center. You must wear your appropriate-colored show badge, based on the following badge categories:

RED: Exhibitor, Manufacturer Rep.
BLUE: Buyer, Distributor Buyer, Retail Employee
YELLOW: Visitor, Non-Exhibiting Manufacturers
GREEN: Exhibitor Employee, Associate
CLEAR: Media
BLACK: Artist

NAMM reserves the right to refuse admission and revoke your badge at any time. Transfer, sale or duplication of your badge in any way is prohibited. Matching photo ID is required to gain entry to the trade show floor.

Badge swapping and the sale of badges is strictly prohibited. Violation of this policy will seriously affect the Exhibitor’s future assignment of space and may be grounds for NAMM to deny an
Exhibitor the right to exhibit at future NAMM shows. All badges are the property of NAMM and must be surrendered upon demand. Badges do not entitle the Exhibitor to conduct
activities in conflict with these Rules and Regulations. Badge replacement fee is $50. Picture identification required. One replacement only.

Violation of any of these terms may subject the holder to further action, including but not limited to, confiscation, revocation of your badge, expulsion from the NAMM Show, and civil and criminal prosecution."

So you see, they take this pretty seriously.

[Lorddiagram]

You can cut and paste whatever you'd like - i have zero stake in this - just reporting my real life experience from last year.

I was at NAMM last year and they did let in the general public on the last day. I'm sorry if that fact is not in line with what you believe.


lD

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by Lorddiagram

You can cut and paste whatever you'd like - i have zero stake in this - just reporting my real life experience from last year.

I was at NAMM last year and they did let in the general public on the last day. I'm sorry if that fact is not in line with what you believe.

It's not a matter of my "belief" - it is a matter of official NAMM policy and the long-standing trade-only nature of the NAMM show in general

If "they" were letting in the general public, it would have had to been without the knowledge or consent of the exhibitors, who would have to be in on it in order to put away their wholesale pricing and signage. And the general public would still have had to acquire badges in order to gain entry. Was it your experience that anyone could just come in and get or buy a badge, regardless of any affiliation to the industry? Which entrance?

While it is possible that some people got in on Sunday last year, it was not part of any official NAMM entrance policy that Sunday was open to the general public, nor has it ever been, although it has been suggested many times and could happen at some point in the future.

[NEgearhead]

Originally Posted by GilWave

It's not a matter of my "belief" - it is a matter of official NAMM policy and the long-standing trade-only nature of the NAMM show in general

If "they" were letting in the general public, it would have had to been without the knowledge or consent of the exhibitors, who would have to be in on it in order to put away their wholesale pricing and signage. And the general public would still have had to acquire badges in order to gain entry. Was it your experience that anyone could just come in and get or buy a badge, regardless of any affiliation to the industry? Which entrance?

While it is possible that some people got in on Sunday last year, it was not part of any official NAMM entrance policy that Sunday was open to the general public, nor has it ever been, although it has been suggested many times and could happen at some point in the future.

You're absolutely right. If the general public was getting in, you probably bought someone else's badge from them--which isn't allowed and the reason NAMM started checking ID's anyway. Have you seen the door security there? They're being pretty strict.

If you look at their "policies" page, they even have cracked down on 'non-industry minors'....basically people who are just there to get autographs and make the place a nightmare for those doing business...

[colinmiller]

"NAMM has yet to have a "public day". It would have to be voted on by the membership. The last several times it was brought up it got shot down before it could even be voted on."

I swear to God Gil, scouts honor they did. Maybe they weren't allowed to, but many people I know (and I was there to see it) were able to get in on Sunday and get passes while not being members of NAMM. I don't know what the circumstances were, but they had to wait until that last day.

[jeremy.c.]

I would imagine that if you borrowed a friend's pass and waited for a crush of people at a gate and then you held up your driver's license next to the badge and smiled and said hello really nicely that the sweet lady wouldn't actually look close enough to realize that your ID names don't even come close to matching.
I'm sure that someone somewhere has done this at last years NAMM...