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January 22 to 24. Mlynczak says he's most looking forward to this year's show being an opportunity to remind people why NAMM has been around for 125 years. "It's because we adapt, because our industry adapts to change, because we've gone through so many musical styles, products, and shifts. We're an industry that constantly has to evolve based on what people listen to — and how they listen. But they want to listen, that's the thing. We just have to be able to make those shifts," he says. A core element of this year's show is highlighting the NAMM Foundation. "'NAMM Gives Back' will be a new logo theme around the show, to remind people that we're giving back, and that's really important," Mlynczak points out. "Yes, we're all here to compete with each other, but we're also here to create more music makers, to keep this industry going for another 125 years. So, we're leveraging the 'NAMMiversary,' as they say, to really cultivate some energy into what we know the reality of 2026 will be for business." Mlynczak and I laugh a bit when reminiscing about the countless hours we spent in windowless music practice rooms during our respective college years. But he is quick to say, "If a college kid or a high school kid asks me for advice, I'd say, 'Get a humanitarian degree, get an arts degree — just get a degree in learning how you learn, and learning how to open your mind and be a better human. And then just go into the world and blossom, don't stress.'" He then elaborates, "e lessons I learned about sitting in a practice room four to six hours a day, every morning, I guarantee [today] that the reason I get up, work out, get to work on a schedule, have an hour of email, focus my day, review my calendar — that routine is because I've spent every day of my life warming up to an exact one-hour trumpet warm-up, looking at everything I have to play this week, looking at what exercises I have to do to condition, what charts I have to learn for the gig this weekend. at look-ahead, practice, condition yourself — that came from music, 100 percent. And it was worth every penny." Qualified attendees can attend e NAMM Show by registering at NAMM.org. World-class education sessions, global networking events, and NAMM's annual Day of Service highlight the positive impact of music education on students' lives and society. Exclusive product previews for global media and influencers are offered alongside professional development summits. Evening: e Reimagined NAMM Retail Awards feature expanded categories, including Best Omnichannel Operation and Best Music Lesson Program. e NAMM U Breakfast Session features top industry leaders and is followed by the opening of the exhibit halls with 1,800+ global brands and cutting-edge innovations. Evening: e NAMM TEC Awards honor excellence in audio and sound technology. e night also includes the 2026 Bass Magazine Awards Show and Yamaha Night of Worship. e high-energy She Rocks Awards celebrate women in music, and the evening culminates in performances on the Yamaha Main Stage featuring major artists. e final day opens with the inspirational Grand Rally for Music Education, a flagship NAMM Foundation event that combines live performances with stories to spotlight the role of music education in our society. en, a special 125- year anniversary bash takes place in the main plaza, leading into the prestigious Parnelli Awards. Live music continues throughout the NAMM campus. Wednesday, January 21 — Global Media Day & Retail Awards ursday, January 22 — Industry Insights & Grand Exhibits Friday, January 23 — She Rocks Awards & Main Stage Concerts Saturday, January 24 — Grand Rally & 125th Anniversary Bash Tuesday, January 20 — Day of Service & Education Kickoff 2026 NAMM Show at-a-Glance @ranchandcoast John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO