pianos

We invite piano dealers from around the world to join us for educational sessions created just for you at Lounge 88, located on Level 3 of the Anaheim Convention Center. Visit the Lounge each morning  for these educational sessions:

Friday, January 14

9:30 a.m.
Where Is Your Next Piano Customer Coming From?
Presented by Bob Popyk, founder of Bentley-Hall, Inc. and columnist for The Music Trades magazine

Piano dealers from around the world can attend educational sessions created just for them at Lounge 88, located on Level 3 of the Anaheim Convention Center. Starting on Friday, there’s a session offered each day at 9:30 a.m. Topics include “Where Is Your Next Piano Customer Coming From?” “Proven Programs and Strategies to Increase Store Traffic and Piano Sales in 2011” and “Artist Relations for Fun and Profit.”

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued guidance making it easier for companies which import instruments made prior to 2008 to file the import declaration form required by the Lacey Act.

APHIS’ Form PPQ 505 requires disclosure of genus and species and country of harvest for all wood contained in imported pianos and other string (but not electric) instruments.

Mr. Peter Suzuki, whose career spans important and extensive roles with Steinway and Yamaha, has donated his published writings on the piano industry. After extensive research and drawing from formidable personal experience, Mr. Suzuki published 12 monthly feature articles in Japan Music Trades Magazine describing and evaluating all aspects of the piano industry in the modern era. His writings have now been incorporated in the NAMM industry archives as the "Peter Suzuki Papers," adding poignant insight on this rich and storied segment of our industry.

Jane Smisor Bastien together with her husband James Bastien, wrote the best-selling Bastien Piano Methods enjoyed by millions of students and teachers worldwide. The series of books, all published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, are now translated into more than 16 languages. Inspired by Robert Pace's "Multi-Key" pedagogical approach and her own ideas culled from years of teaching, Jane and James created the much loved and accessible "Gradual Multi-Key Approach." Evolving through several generations of methodology, their writing culminated with the release of the Bastien Piano Basics, the world's first ever 4-color piano method, which has been a best-seller since it's release in 1985.

Greg Billings is the president of the Steinway Piano Gallery of Naples in Florida. Greg is also a very active member of the music products industry, appearing on panel discussions at NAMM Shows, serving on boards and writing a regular article for Music Inc. magazine. His deep passion for the industry and for providing music in the lives of many thousands of people can be traced back to the passion of his father, Zeb Billings. Zeb was a pioneer in both retailing and music publishing in the home organ era that set standards still being used to this day.

Terry Bingley was a leader in the Canadian Music Products Industry for several decades. He began his career when he formed a music retail store before working with Yamaha and, later, serving as the Managing Director of Kawai.  He helped to establish Kawai Canada. In 1984, Terry formed a music wholesaler company, Bingley Distributors, which became a key contributor to the growth of the North America music market.   

Lyle Bird grew up in a musical family with his mother playing the piano daily. As a teenager he played trumpet in several swing bands during the big band era including with such leaders as Henry Busse. He played in a band during his navy service during World War II and again played in several small bands after the war before being hired by the Sherman Clay Company. Lyle sold saxophones for a short time, long enough he would say in order to realize he wanted to sell pianos. He managed a Sherman Clay location in Walnut Creek, CA and trained on selling organs direct to the customers in their homes and was the first to bring stand-up organ players to the front of mall stores as a drive for customers.

Ingbert Bluthner followed in the rich history of his family tradition of building world-class pianos. Under Ingbert’s leadership the company expanded production and models along with developing new global distribution chains. Over the years, since his own oral history interview, Ingbert has been a strong supporter of the program, supplying research and suggestions of future interviewees.