Well,
NAMM was smaller, but still excellent. I heard that it was about half size, which sounds small, but it's been running around 115,000 people, so half is still a LOT! Our corner of the industry was represented by a strong showing from
ESTA and the ESA.
I spent most of the show in classes. I hear a lot of people say that
NAMM is just for musicians. It WAS, but they really are working hard with
ESTA and the ESA to change that. Yes this is currently not the show to go to, to see crazy light shows. You will see more guitars and pianos than light fixtures, but it may become that given time.
But let's talk about the classes I attended:
-The latest standards on the use of MEWPS (lifts) taught by our own
@egilson1
-There was a two part class on safe electricity on
stage taught by Richard Cadena. Do you know how many musicians have been electrocuted on
stage!?!?
-I did a 6 hour session on rigging
truss and outdoor structures.
-A class on planning event
safety
-a class on how
led lights alter the appearance of the set and costumes.
-A class on
DMX with Milton Davis.
My brain is FULL! So many great classes. Yes, not as much variety as some of the other options, but the content was excellent and there were lots of options to her
ETCP renewal credits.
As for the show itself, I always look for a cool gadget that I haven't seen before. Entertainment Fabrication has won
Gaff's favorite new gadget in the past with their clever
boom bases. This year, they win again with a clever device you can use to hang
pipe and drape from
truss or battens. I didn't get video (it was too loud) but
here's the product page. If you do that kind of work, you should really check it out.