As the COVID-19 virus and its variants continue to send ripples through the music industry and beyond, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2022 winter event.
Initially slated for January 20th-23rd, NAMM will instead move to summer 2022 and take place at California’s Anaheim Convention Center June 3rd-5th. The summer 2022 NAMM scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tennessee has also been cancelled.
A recent surge in infection rates coupled with new strains of the COVID-19 virus and the subsequent effect on travel logistics are the reasons for the postponement. Some of California’s hospitals have full intensive care units, leaving no space for those suffering severe effects from the virus, and leading NAMM to question the viability of holding a winter event.
“As the health and safety of our members remains top of mind, and after carefully listening to companies here in the U.S. and around the world, the new dates will help members maximize their opportunities and accelerate what has arguably been a transformative time both in new products and in how they come to market,” NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond said in a statement.
The event’s organizers noted product availability and timetables for new product launches as factors in the decision. Additionally, with the cancellation of the summer 2022 NAMM event in Nashville, the event at Anaheim Convention Center will serve as a makeup showing that combines both summer events.
Find tickets and more information on the NAMM website.
