Every year, the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) organization puts on a number of trade shows in which music merchandisers fill large convention centers with booths and unveil their latest new products and technologies to retailers and the press. Originally, there was only one NAMM show, the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. Later, the Summer NAMM show was added; it has been held in locales ranging from Indianapolis to Austin to Chicago, but has found its permanent home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Recently, an international NAMM show held in Moscow in the Fall has been added. These conventions are “industry only,” meaning they’re open to exhibitors, buyers, media, and companies that develop audio-related products and technologies; though some shows offer public days or public hours. If you can’t get into a NAMM show, don’t worry — thanks to the prevalence of cameras, mobile phones, and coverage from sites like Sweetwater, most of the cool stuff gets posted online pretty quickly.