Founded in 1901, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) has a mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. We envision a world in which the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone; a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught; and in which every adult is a passionate champion and defender of that right.

Through our Circle of Benefits business model, NAMM reinvests the proceeds from our trade shows and membership to grow the industry through a variety of means, including charitable outreach, lobbying congress and international policymakers, and funding research on the benefits of arts education.

We are committed to providing relevant and high-value education programs for NAMM members and trade show attendees. At our trade shows and on NAMM U Online, professionals and visionaries share actionable and revolutionary ideas to help business development.

The NAMM Foundation promotes and supports music education and music making for people of all ages and abilities. Our goal is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs

The Museum of Making Music, a division of The NAMM Foundation, is located on the first floor of the building, which also serves as NAMM’s international headquarters. Through unique exhibitions, vibrant and varied live music performances, and innovative education programs, the museum shares the accomplishments and impact of the people who make, sell, and use musical instruments and products.

The NAMM Resource Center covers innovative creations, the evolution of music, sound and entertainment products, the ever-changing world of music retail, as well as our collective quest to improve music education around the globe. Our Oral History program and Music History Project podcast contain the story of our industry, told by those who helped to shape it and have watched it expand and develop through the years.

This collection is our journal, our own way of chronicling ourselves and our community—the community we so eagerly embrace at our trade shows and so proudly celebrate throughout the year.

Community matters. NAMM provides a platform for our industry to connect, grow and celebrate our shared passions. We invite you to join our association today and benefit from access to NAMM Shows, professional education, networking, statistical data such as the NAMM Global Report, policy advocacy groups, and most of all, a place to belong.