NAMM on your radar? Fly through professionally and respectfully. – A Music Business Consultant and Speaker Blog. 
NAMM, Man, It’s the NAMM!!!!
The NAMM Show or National Association of #MusicMerchants Trade Show is coming to the Anaheim, Convention Center January 23rd, to January 26th, 2014. Kind of captain obvious info for anyone attending at this point.
But what some times is not so obvious is the etiquette to maintain, sustain and present when being at NAMM or any other trade show, conference or larger networking event.
These are not tips, but more so, best business, networking and professional practices and considerations to keep in mind that will make the experience that much better for the attendee and connect you that much more and in a much better way to other exhibitors, musicians, businesses and anyone else.
Top three things to keep in mind at NAMM
1. Businesses, artists and endorsers are busy!
Yes, they are there to meet people but they also have a busy schedule to keep. By keeping this in mind and keeping introductions brief and to the point, you will not only create a great first impression, but you will stand out in a sea of selfish spammers that want only for themselves, their products or their ideas.
So take the higher the road of consideration when it comes to meeting someone the first time and have a higher chance of a longer term connection or chance to speak at another time.
2. The NAMM Show is a great place for introductions, but not your full life/company/product/pitch story.
Again, just like your introduction, keep it short, sweet, compacted in an elevator pitch and ask when it is best to touch base and how they prefer to be contacted.
(Side note: Sending emails during the NAMM conference…unless requested are going to be over saturated with a world of other emails. Give people time to get home, unpack, settle in and answer or erase emails, before sending yours. It gives it a better chance to be seen.)
3. They have heard it all before
Many people you are trying to connect with have heard the pitch or the idea before. It might be new to you, but to many of the NAMM trade show exhibitors, musicians and industry professionals, they have more than likely heard it.
Take this in to consideration as you get a chance to present and share the elevator pitch again as to the who, what, when, where, why and how about you, your product, your idea or your pitch.
NAMM can create life changing opportunities and connections as they state on their website, but it takes some one to think before they speak, approach or pitch to make it work the best.
Stay with a sense of humility, while still being assertive.
Showcase your professionalism while showing your respect.
Enter a conversation and be a part of a conversation instead of trying to take it over.
Be patient and be considerate. Know the right time to approach and when not to.
(1 minute before a showcase is NOT a good time. Obvious, but anyone at has seen this happen a hundred times)
Have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere, the people and all the different companies. You won’t get to meet everyone, but grab cards, flyers and brochures. Make sure you jot down names and who you initially met and don’t forget to experience it just for the fun too!!!!!
Taking that approach will make the NAMM show that much better for you for those four days and for months to come.
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#Tradeshows #musicconferences #Conventions
LW
Music Business Consultant, Speaker & Author Loren Weisman works to help, assist & consult independent artists, businesses, musicians, labels & managers to achieve sustainable success.
For more on Loren Weisman's music business speaking, music business consulting, music industry coaching or other services, visit: http://lorenweisman.com/. For more on The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business, 2nd Edition, available now, visit: http://TAG2nd.com