Today, the NAMM Foundation has officially announced the cancellation of its 2021 winter trade show, Winter NAMM 2021. The formal statement was made due to rising concerns amongst the COVID-19 virus. In its place, the foundation plans to host “Believe In Music Week.” This week-long event hopes to deliver virtual replacements of the winter NAMM trade show’s most beloved aspects.
In a statement posted on its general website, the NAMM Foundation expanded on its hopes. According to the statement, the new virtual event will be held during the week of January 18, 2021, and will feature a mixture of educational content and an interactive marketplace aimed at connecting buyers and sellers/
Furthermore, NAMM CEO Joe Lamond had this to say in a separate statement.
“While it remains unsafe for us to gather in person in January, Believe in Music Week will use new, intuitive technology to connect us all to harness the incredible energy that happens when we come together. With a robust marketplace to launch new products and share your brand story, Believe in Music will also feature networking and matchmaking for our buyers and our sellers, education for all segments of the industry, and live music and concerts. … Believe in Music Week will be a critical step for our industry to help us prepare for the new year and new opportunities.”
While it is unfortunate that the upcoming NAMM winter show will be cancelled as an in-person event, it seems we do have a silver lining in Believe in Music Week. At the moment, it is unclear whether access will be limited to the trade show’s virtual replacement, or be free and open to the public. With that said, it is comforting to know that the NAMM Foundation is addressing these growing concerns, and keeping the safety of its members a top priority.
