Day Two of 2010 Summer NAMM
Day Two: Music Products Professionals Gather for Business, Information and Music
NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, hosted the second day of 2010 Summer NAMM today at the Nashville Convention Center.
The morning began with a unique set of music by electric violinist Tracy Silverman. The day’s NAMM University Breakfast Session, “Driving Customer Traffic and Sales in This Economy with Destination Principles,” was presented by Jon Schallert, president, The Schallert Group, Inc., who described the most important tools that business owners must use in today's economy to thrive and survive.
“I think that right now with the difficulty of the economy and competition from all directions, it’s absolutely essential to be here, to meet with your vendors, to hear ideas like we just heard in the Breakfast Session, you can’t get that anywhere else,” said Kevin Cranley, Willis Music, Florence, Ky. “We walk away feeling renewed and with a little more purpose and direction, and it really helps us.”
Cranley also talked about important resources for industry businesses present at the show, including SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business. Both SCORE and SBA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided free mentoring for attendees throughout the show. NAMM-endorsed business service providers were on site to explain exclusive benefits for Members to help them save money on everything from shipping to credit card processing.
On the show floor, attendees walked the aisles to check out the newest gear for the upcoming fall and holiday selling seasons and to make new industry contacts. Products filled the booths of more than 370 companies, several of which are first-time exhibitors. A full day of NAMM U sessions in the Idea Center focused on social media, finance, retail ideas, sales and lesson programs. In addition, the NAMM Foundation hosted sessions for music educators, connecting them with sessions and opportunities to increase access to music learning through partner programs.
“You can see more and do more in these three days than any musician could ever hope and ask for,” said Jeremy Johnson, Georgia Music, Macon, Ga. “It’s a blast. It always is. I love the Idea Center—we get tons of good ideas. I’m waiting for Pete Gamber’s session about music lessons now. We’re trying to grow the lesson program in our store.”
Exhibitors reflected on the show day and buyer traffic.
“The show’s gone pretty well for us this year,” said Mike Putnam, PZtronics, Lockport, N.Y. “This is our third year at Summer NAMM. We’ve made some new contacts and some possible business-to-business transactions, as well as those with stores and customers.”
Many new companies find it an ideal place for launching products and networking.
“This is our first show here, and it’s been very good," said Donald Oriolo, Jr., Oriolo Guitars, Hamburg, N.J. "We had good reception and a lot of excitement over the product line. This is a perfect forum to get your product out there so people can see what’s there, because they touch and feel it. You can look it up online, but you can’t touch and feel and play it.”
Throughout the day, industry media checked out products and covered events. In addition, local ABC and FOX stations and The Tennessean reported on the show.
The day ended with the All-Industry Drum Circle, which gathered a group of attendees looking for fun and to relieve stress.
Tomorrow's highlights include Wanna Play Music Sunday, which will open the show doors to music students, parents, advocates and enthusiasts to check out the exhibits, take part in activities and sit in on workshops with music industry legends and experts. Also, the final NAMM University Breakfast Session, "Best in Show," will feature a panel of gear experts moderated by Music Inc. Publisher Frank Alkyer. They will announce their picks for the show's hottest products and trends. The NAMM U sessions in the Idea Center will conclude with several social media topics, along with school music-focused sessions. Local music educators and school administrators will continue to check out the latest musical products and programs for 21st century students and schools, and their top finds in various categories will be named in the “2010 Best Tools for Schools Awards" session at 12:30 p.m. in the Idea Center.
For more information, interested parties can log on to www.namm.org/summer/2010 and visit the Photo Gallery for new pictures each day.