[Press information] 03.06.2026

The Society of Music Merchants e.V. (SOMM) welcomes the Guitar Unit of the Ebner Media Group as a new member. The Guitar Unit comprises the Guitar Summit, Europe's largest guitar show, which attracts exhibitors and visitors from over 30 countries, as well as the trade magazine Guitar & Bass, which has been one of the most important German-language platforms for the guitar community for over 40 years.

​

The Guitar Unit and SOMM are united by a shared goal: to inspire more people to play music actively and to promote sustainable access to instruments. In an era where digital media compete for attention and leisure habits are evolving, this commitment is becoming increasingly important.

​

'We are under no illusions: smartphones, streaming and AI are the realities with which young people are growing up today. But we believe that this is precisely where an opportunity lies. Anyone who plays an instrument develops genuine skills, feelings and expressions that cannot be replicated by an algorithm. We want to make this accessible – together with everyone who shares this view,” explains Florian Stolpe, Director of the Guitar Unit and Editor-in-Chief of Gitarre & Bass.

​

Through the trade magazine, the Guitar Summit Academy, and the annual Guitar Summit in Mannheim (25–27 September 2026 at the Congress Center Rosengarten), the Guitar Unit reaches hundreds of thousands of guitar enthusiasts. The most recent event alone attracted around 14,600 visitors to the Rosengarten in Mannheim.

​

Particular focus is placed on measures to support young musical talent and improve social inclusion. For instance, children and young people up to and including the age of 14 will in future receive free access to the Guitar Summit via the KIDS & YOUTH Ticket. In addition, the new Social Ticket is designed to make it easier for people on low incomes to attend the event.

​

The Guitar Unit reaches hundreds of thousands of guitar enthusiasts through the trade magazine, the Guitar Summit Academy and the annual Guitar Summit, which is held in Mannheim at the Congress Center Rosengarten from 25 to 27 September 2026. The most recent event attracted around 14,600 visitors to the Rosengarten in Mannheim alone.

​

Particular focus is placed on supporting young musical talent and improving social inclusion. For example, children and young people up to the age of 14 will receive free access to the Guitar Summit in future via the KIDS & YOUTH Ticket. Additionally, the new Social Ticket is designed to make it easier for those on a low income to attend the event.

​

"With the Ebner Media Group’s Guitar Unit, SOMM is gaining two strong brands that have been inspiring people to make music and highlighting the importance of music and instruments for years. We look forward to further expanding our collaboration and jointly setting the course for the future of our industry,' says Daniel Knöll, Managing Director of the Society of Music Merchants e.V.

By joining SOMM, Guitar Unit aims to intensify its dialogue with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other industry players. Together, they intend to develop new ways to inspire more people to make music and strengthen the framework conditions for the musical instrument and music equipment industry in the long term.

​

The initiative for the membership came from Ralph Voggenreiter (Voggenreiter Verlag GmbH), a long-standing SOMM member. ‘We would like to extend our special thanks to Ralph Voggenreiter, who established the contact and facilitated the discussions. SOMM thrives on the commitment of its members. Every company that joins us expands our network, strengthens the industry’s representation of interests, and helps us to actively shape the future of music-making,” continued Knöll.