NAMM Live! And Parnelli Awards Attract Vendors

ANAHEIM, CA – With a 200,000-square foot expansion, an enthusiastic emphasis on making sure all pro live event companies are welcome, and bringing the Parnelli Awards to their January show, there’s never been any doubt of NAMM’s commitment to our industry. Now, with the show still six months away, many forward-thinking companies are already climbing on board to be part of it all.

“I never had any doubt that companies would see the benefits of a trade show in Anaheim in January,” says PLSN publisher and Parnelli Awards executive producer Terry Lowe. “But it’s encouraging to see the movement of the companies already signing up to be exhibitors. Also impressive is the diversity, which will really make this whole endeavor a success for everyone.”

So far, the companies exhibiting for the first time include TMB, Group One/Avolites/DiGiCo, Stagg Lighting, Ultratec Special Effects, The Light Source, Look Solutions, Sparktacular, and Stageline. Returning exhibitors from our world include Kupo, GLP, Chauvet, and ADJ; the latter of which is getting new booths for their brands Global Truss, Elation, American Audio, and Eliminator. On the pro audio side, new exhibitors include L-Acoustics, d&b audiotechnik, Powersoft, Adamson Systems Engineering, K-array, Meyer Sound, PK Sound, Ocean Way, and TW Audio.

“In the coming months, momentum will continue, and it’ll be clear that this will be the time and the place for all business involving our industry,” Lowe adds.

“For me, having the Parnellis at NAMM is going to be great, because there’s so much more traffic,” Sound-Image’s Dave Shadoan says. “I’ve been going for years, and I see how more vibrant it gets every year. And having it in January instead of October or November [like LDI] is so much better for touring professionals. I’m looking forward to it.”

Parnelli Sponsors Returning for 2018

In related news, Lowe is pleased to report that more than 80 percent of last year’s Parnelli Awards Sponsors have signed up to continue their support of the industry’s most prestigious award show. The Platinum Sponsor is again Group One (Avolites/DiGiCo); Gold Sponsors include All Access Staging, Bandit Lites, Blizzard Lighting, Branam Enterprises, Elation, G2 Structures, Gallagher Staging & Productions, Global Trend Productions, Harman Professional, Maryland Sound, Mega Systems Inc., Meyer Sound, Moo TV, NovaStar, PRG, Pyrotek Special Effects, Rock-It Cargo, Solotech, Sound Image, Strictly FX, Ultratec Special Effects and VER. Silver Sponsors include ACT Lighting, Hemphill Brothers and Morris. Cocktail Sponsors include 3G, Chauvet, PK Sound and TLS Productions. Pyrotek Special Effects is also hosting, for the third year in a row, the Parnelli After Party, and Atomic Design returns as a production partner.

The Parnellis will be held at the Hilton on the Anaheim Convention Campus on Friday, January 26. The Cocktail Party will be at 6 p.m., dinner will be at 7, and the show will start by 7:45. Billy Joel’s longtime production manager Bobby “Boomer” Thrasher will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jonathan Smeeton will be awarded the Parnelli Visionary honor and John Stadius will receive the Parnelli Audio Innovator Award.