Photo Credit: NAMM
At the 2026 NAMM Show, the 60,000+ attendees this year represented more than $9.8 billion in combined buying power. That figure comes from the NAMM 2026 Post Show Report and highlights how the show floor has become a marketplace of staggering scale over 125 years. But the real opportunity is that access to this marketplace of ideas does not end when the exhibit halls close.
This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner NAMM.
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) offers membership that delivers value 365 days a year. For individual professionals, eligibility covers anyone who contributes to the music products industry. That includes music education, professional audio, entertainment technology, live event production, and more. NAMM Membership costs $150 and includes a NAMM Show badge, but the entry fee offers so much more.
Education is where NAMM membership pays dividends year-round. The association offers webinars, workshops, and training programs throughout the year. They’re designed to help members sharpen retail skills, stay current on product trends, and to navigate the operational challenges of running a music business. At the NAMM 2026 show alone, 505 education sessions delivered more than 91,000 total session engagements.
Advocacy is another constant benefit that members may not see directly, but impacts their bottom lines. NAMM represents the collective voice of the music products industry before legislators and regulators. The organization works directly to impact music education funding, tax policy, and trade regulations within the music industry. Unrivaled member resources tie everything together, offering market data, service discounts, and a dedicated support team that members can put to use immediately.
NAMM celebrated its 125th year in 2026. That continuity is a core argument for the importance of NAMM membership. It is not a once-a-year transaction tied to a trade show badge, but rather a sustained partnership. The value shows up in the classroom sessions that sharpen a manager’s skills, in the legislative wins that protect a business’s future, and in the connections made by thousands of members at regional events across the country.
For anyone who works in the music products industry, the numbers speak for themselves. NAMM membership offers access to 5,400+ brands, 1,650+ exhibitors, and a global community of professionals eager to stay on top of developing trends within the music industry. “NAMM is more than a show, it’s an ecosystem where our industry showcases every sector and comes together to connect, learn, and move forward collectively,” shared Michael Kamphuis of Conn Selmer.
If you are a professional in music education, professional audio, entertainment technology, or live event production, individual NAMM membership costs $150 and includes a NAMM Show badge. Anyone interested in joining can do so by visiting NAMM.org/membership. For those who work for a company who is already a member of NAMM, talk to your administrator about activating your employee benefits. Artists do not currently qualify for NAMM membership, but they can register for the NAMM Show as a qualified attendee. Either way, the value and connections made with a NAMM membership extend well beyond one week spent among peers in Anaheim each year.