The Recording Academy opened its 11th regional branch office in the Pacific Northwest in 1997. After significant membership growth, the PNW office received Chapter status in 2002. The region — home to a flourishing music industry that goes far beyond the grunge/flannel stereotype of the early '90s — also offers world-class studios, symphony orchestras, international music festivals and conferences such as Bumbershoot, MusicFestNW, Folklife, Capitol Hill Block Party, Waterfront Blues Festival, Sasquatch, Earshot Jazz Festival, and Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival. In addition, the area boasts a vibrant jazz community steeped in history, a fresh urban music circuit, an abundance of acoustic and new age players and one of the strongest independent band and label scenes in the country. With the addition of Hawaii in 2003, the Chapter expanded its service area and was a large proponent for the recent addition of the Best Hawaiian Music Album GRAMMY Award category.

The Northwest region includes Alaska, British Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Vancouver, and Washington. It is the birthplace and headquarters to internationally known companies such as Amazon.com, Audix Microphones, iLike, Loudeye Technologies, Mackie, Microsoft, PlayNetwork, RealNetworks, and Soldano Custom Amplification. Multimedia and Internet-related companies continue to create a multitude of composing and production opportunities and the "wired world" has made it possible for recording professionals to work internationally and still call the Pacific Northwest region home.

More than 1,000 PNW Chapter members and the music community at-large can take advantage of the many educational, networking and other music-related opportunities and services that are presented by or in association with the Pacific Northwest Chapter. The MusicTech Summits in Seattle and Honolulu gather the leaders in the technology and music industries to examine the forces defining the next decade. With speakers such as renowned producers Bob Ezrin, Jimmy Jam and Alan Parsons, the annual PNW Studio Summit brings the biggest and brightest names in audio engineering to Seattle for an intimate and educational conference.

With additional events such as GRAMMY Career Day and GRAMMY SoundChecks, produced in conjunction with the GRAMMY Foundation, the PNW Chapter gives new meaning to rock and roll high school. Geared for high school students with an interest in the music industry, GRAMMY Career Day exposes attendees to a multitude of careers through hands-on workshops and performances. GRAMMY SoundChecks bring students face to face with national touring musicians, and treat them to an exclusive soundcheck performance.

The PNW Chapter has an extremely active GRAMMY U program, with a multitude of events catering to college students looking to gain experience and connections within the music industry. Events such as the Demo Review, local recording studio and radio station tours, discussions with record label representatives and nationally recognized artists, and networking events are designed to ease students into professional networking situations and provide the necessary tools to enter into the job market.

The Chapter is also an active supporter and advocate for the MusiCares Foundation, which focuses the attention and resources of the music industry on health, human service and welfare issues that affect all music people. The Chapter has a very active MusiCares Committee working to spread the word about MusiCares to those who need help.

The Pacific Northwest Chapter is a prominent member of the music community and showcases a strong commitment to ensuring that the quality of life and the cultural condition of the Northwest music industry is a top priority in all activities. This guiding principle has resulted in many partnerships with similar organizations and active responses to issues affecting these areas.

Nestled between two mountain ranges on the edge of the Puget Sound, the Chapter is located amidst the hustle and bustle of the Belltown District of Seattle, just west of Seattle's very own international icon, the Space Needle, and a stone's throw away from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The Pacific Northwest Chapter invites all of the Northwest area's music professionals and other interested people to join with us as we continue to serve the music community.

Click here to view the Pacific Northwest Chapter video.