In virtually every room you step into at NAMM, including the main floor, there are signs advising you that by walking into the room you are agreeing to be photographed and or video taped and that they may be used as seen fit by those who take the photos or videos. This is mainly meant to protect the NAMM show presenter or manufacturers from privacy or promotional compensation claims. I know this may not apply to the Schimmel situation. I address that in the next paragraph.

I've been treated poorly, made to feel unwelcome or ignored at several of the acoustic piano booths/rooms. Not just one or two but many. About half the booths I stopped at, I wasn't even greeted after several minutes. Only at Petrof and Walters did I get anything past "let me know if you have any questions" Really? Don't any of these people get any sales training? Or is piano sales training about where to take dealers for lunch? Roland gets it. Taylor gets it. Most of the booths on the main floor get it. NAMM is too expensive to miss a chance to create a good feeling for your brand. In fact, it seems like the bigger the brand, the more they seem to understand that you market to everyone who stops by. I don't mean treat me like a VIP but at least don't make me feel like a pest before I've even uttered a word or asked to play a piano.

It was an honor to chat with Charles Walters who is a hero of mine and as usual they were lovely at the PTG booth. The woman who answered my questions so patiently probably earned herself a regulation job. She gets it; the piano industry should figure it out as well.


Kurt

These policies vary from one manufacturer to the next. Ironically those having the least in the way of new innovation often seem to have the most strict “no photograph” policies.

I spent most of the NAMM show at the Young Chang booth showing and discussing the new design changes being introduced. On display was a strung skeleton assembly on which most of the new features were clearly visible. Many people with direct ties to competitive companies came by with cameras in hand and were freely allowed to photograph anything they wanted. In at least one case I was asked to give a full explanation of the new design features to a technical representative from one of these companies.

And why not? Once a piano is in production there is little any manufacturer can do to prevent a competitor from reverse engineering the basic design. If the pianos are not photographed at the NAMM show it is an easy matter for a manufacturer to arrange to borrow—or buy, if necessary—any piano of interest and photograph and measure to their heart’s content. Most of us know that it takes more than a few pictures of the visible design features to put together a whole, unified piano design.

Back when we were building our vertical piano and showing them at the NAMM show on several occasions I found engineers and technical representations from other manufacturers at our booth early in the morning before the show was open to the public with panels off and with cameras and tape measures in hand.

Because of my position as an independent piano designer and manufacturing consultant having done work for several different piano builders I always identify myself and ask permission before taking photographs of pianos on display. But were I a dealer or a non-industry visitor to the show I think I’d just take the pictures I wanted as unobtrusively as possible. If the company representatives at the display didn’t want me to do this they could always ask me to stop.

ddf

Hi Robert 45- nice to see a Kiwi on Piano World!

Rick - it's one thing to have a policy and another to be mean about it. I still don't think the policy was there, the guy just made it his job to be as unfriendly as possible.

jazzyprof - I asked out of politeness, never thought it would be a problem, and other brands gave me permission

I think Schimmel should just either not participate in NAMM (if they indeed have a no photo policy, since people obviously are taking photos without permission), or hire more friendly staff who is not rude to people who kindly ask for permission to take pictures

frank, the videos are just wonderful. i am really enjoying them. especially the ones of indrek's boys. thanks for sharing them.

Thanks piqué,
I will post some more pictures and videos soon.

I was chatting with a friend of yours at the show.
I mentioned to Burkhard that we were hoping to put together another European Piano Tour in 2013. He has invited us to visit Grotrian.

I hope all is well in MT. If you ever get down our way please plan a visit.

If you were wondering about the numbers from the show...

( from the NAMM © web site).

110th NAMM Show Reaches New Record Number of Registrants; Industry Primed for Growth in 2012


Innovation, Increased Optimism and Hope for the Future Surface as Key Show Themes As Industry Gathers for Biggest and Busiest NAMM Show Ever

Anaheim, Calif, January 22, 2012—The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced the final registration and exhibitor numbers for the 2012 NAMM Show, the largest and longest-running musical instruments and products trade show in the United States.

At show close, NAMM reported 95,709 registered attendees, a six percent increase from last year and representing a new record for the 110-year-old show. International registration also experienced a 15 percent increase from last year to 11,981. The association previously reported strong exhibitor numbers, with 1,441 exhibitors at this year’s show, including 236 new exhibitors.

"Once again the NAMM Show served as the crossroads for musical instrument and live sound products manufacturers, retailers and their guests from all over the world,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. "We are extremely grateful to all of the NAMM Members, music educators, artists, partners and media who made this 110th NAMM Show a resounding success for the industry and a great start to 2012."

The annual trade show is the place where music products retailers meet face-to-face with manufacturers to make their biggest purchases and gain product knowledge for their stores in the year ahead. Throughout the four days of business deals, educational sessions and live music performances, the mood of the show was energetic and positive.

Montage of pianist who stopped at the Estonia booth...



And yes, I did spend a good deal of time at Indrek's booth.
His hospitality is wonderful, he has the most comfortable chairs in the place, and sooner or later practically everyone comes through his corner.

That's a great montage! What a lucky piano.

How come only the guy at around 1:20 seemed to know the camera was there?

Since I'm just a consumer and can't go to NAMM in the winter, did anyone get to try the new Yamaha C7XA or the C3XA's? I heard Yamaha brought them to the show. I did just try the C3XA at my dealer and was really impressed with it's sound and how "expressive" it was. I think Yamaha Piano has a big hit on it's hands, but I would really appreciate hearing what the experts think.

j&j, I'm just pointin out a little thing... The new C-XA series pianos are the C6XA and C3XA, not the C7XA. From what I hear (there was another relatively recent thread on these pianos) they were very, very nice (the piano in question was i think the C6XA or the CF6).

Rotom,

Thanks for the correction and the info. It's wonderful to hear that piano makers are still working to bring new innovations to their acoustic pianos. I will hunt for that thread.

Yamaha showed the C3XA, C6XA and the CF4 and CF6 in their Premium Piano room which also held the Bosendorfer models on display. My understanding is that the C3XA and C6XA are enhanced versions of the C3 and C6. The CF4 and CF6 are extensions of the CFX concert grand line.

The CF4 and CF6 are quite nice, with open window pinblocks and the arm profile and pedal lyre design of the CFX. These pianos do show tonal color range similar to the concert grand.

However they were not displayed very well. The whole Premium Piano room was cramped and quite dead acoustically and had these awful LED spotlights that pierced your eyes like an icepick!

Edited by moderator... SPAM

So it goes. Not much can be done. At our Lomence booth we too had brand competitors at our booth eagerly taking photos of the new Lomence designs: pink piano, red piano, white piano.
They must really be hurting for creativity.

Frank B. thanks, nice to see all these faces playing the music that they like (at least, that's what I suppose )