News Releases

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today released the 2003 version of Music USA, the association’s annual statistical review of the musical instruments and products industry, as thousands gathered in Nashville, Tenn., for the start of NAMM’s 2003 Summer Session trade show.

The conclusion of this year’s Summer Session signified a change of leadership for NAMM, the International Music Products Association, with Paul Heid of Heid’s Music in Appleton, Wis., becoming the association’s 72nd chairman*. Heid makes this move after serving a term on the NAMM board of directors and the last six years on the NAMM executive committee, contributing to all of the association’s activities including Sesame Street Music Works, SupportMusic.com and the successful transition of NAMM’s president/CEO position.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced four potential cities in contention to host the 2005 Summer Session trade show. In addition to Nashville, Tenn., the show’s home for the past 11 years, the list of contending cities includes: Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind. and Washington D.C.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association and GE Retail Sales Finance today launched a new program to help retail Members sell more music products and build greater customer loyalty and repeat business. NAMM's new Music Money Platinum Card™ program lets retailers put a store-branded, music-specific credit card in the hands of customers looking for additional purchasing power. The Music Money Platinum Card comes with some great dealer benefits, including:

MENC, the National Association for Music Education, today announced plans to work with long-time partner NAMM, the International Music Products Association, to produce the exhibition portion of the organization’s 2004 National Conference. The “Music and Sound Expo” will be held April 16–18, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minn. The new partnership was created to serve the membership of both groups while further unifying educators, the music products industry and the music-making public.

More than 30 retail owners and managers from around the Midwest recently attended NAMM University’s Retail Operations Camp, presented by the Friedman Group’s Norby Rudel. Although the valuable two-day seminar typically costs $795, NAMM University students were able to participate for only $245.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, announced today that Jacob Woodall of Bassett, Va., is the recipient of the 2003–2004 William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, established in the name of former NAMM Executive Vice President William R. Gard, invests in the education of promising students interested in contributing their talents to the music products industry.

More than ever, Americans are saying “We want our musical instruments,” according to a 2003 survey conducted by The Gallup Organization and commissioned by NAMM, the International Music Products Association.

58 NAMM Members from MI retail stores in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area recently sharpened their selling skills at NAMM University’s “Beyond the Competitive Edge in Sales” course, taught by Mark Patey and held on March 20 and 21.

“SupportMusic,” the largest initiative of its kind dedicated to positively impacting community resolve and inspiring action to support music education in the United States, was launched today by the Music Education Coalition, an entity created by NAMM, the International Music Products Association and MENC, the National Association for Music Education. The new program was announced today by Steve West, Chairman of NAMM; and Dr. Willie Hill, President of MENC. They were joined by Congressional co-chairs Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Rep.

The 2003 NAMM Concert Honoring Sir Elton John, presented by Yamaha, is estimated to have raised $330,000 to benefit music education and research, according to event organizers. The star-studded benefit was held January 17 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim and was a highlight of the 2003 NAMM Show, the annual convention of the International Music Products Association that took place January 16–19 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

NAMM Members enrolled in the endorsed bank card processing program will save money on monthly fees thanks to a new contract announced today by the International Music Products Association and First National Merchant Solutions.