The news has broken that Fender is returning for NAMM 2025, and many guitar enthusiasts are now asking, “Will Gibson follow?”
NAMM 2025 Fender Return
Fender CEO Andy Mooney made a video with NAMM CEO John Mlynczak, during which Mooney stated that Fender will be showing its new products at NAMM 2025.
This is big news, as the Califonia-based guitar giant has been absent from the event for quite some time now, which disappointed many guitar enthusiasts.
“We sadly missed actually having a physical presence at NAMM; that high-touch in-person long form interaction is vitally important for the industry.”
“Going forward, [Fender] will have more and exciting new products to intro at NAMM and then in the fall, we will revert back to our online dealer events… we’re thrilled to be back, we missed being there, and I’m excited to see everyone again back in Anaheim.” – Fender CEO Andy Mooney
Will Gibson be at NAMM 2025?
Many online conversations ask if Gibson will follow and appear at the 2025 Show, along with PRS, who have also been absent from the event. Ideally, all the major guitar brands could appear at NAMM, as the event could be a massive deal for the industry.
Social Media Marketing
However, since the COVID lockdowns, many companies have saved money by not taking a stand at the NAMM Show. Instead, they have presented their new products online via social media, direct email marketing, and video platforms like YouTube.
Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian is a master of online and social media marketing, so he will keep using Instagram to tease new products instead.
The world has changed rapidly in recent years, and Gibson may choose to do things their own way and stay away from NAMM. Only time will tell.
Could NAMM 2025 be a return to form?
I’m guessing that after the success of NAMM 2024, which was a reasonably busy event with many great releases, we could see many of the more prominent guitar brands returning. I suspect that the physical show format in the real world has enormous benefits for dealers buying new stock, which online events cannot replace.
Let us know your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below.
NAMM 2025
The NAMM 2025 event runs from January 21–25, with the last three days open to the public. Billed as “The Music Begins Here,” it will feature live events and exhibitors coming from worldwide at the Anaheim Convention Center.
I’m looking forward to seeing if Fender announces anything inspiring this time, as I’m a little bored of three-tone Sunburst Stratocaster reissues.