The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is pleased to announce the list of enterprising music product retailers to be honored at the organization’s Top 100 Dealer Awards. Now in its eighth year and held during the Summer NAMM Show (June 28-30) in Nashville, the annual awards honor retailers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their stores, neighborhoods and customers, and share in a vision of creating a more musical world through their local communities.

“While there are thousands of great NAMM member retail stores out there, a theme that emerges with this year’s Top 100 is an unwavering commitment to helping people of all ages begin their musical journey and then keep them actively engaged in music making for the long haul,” affirmed Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO. “We look forward to an exciting evening in Nashville to honor and celebrate the Top 100 Dealers as well as pay tribute to all music retailers who sit in the heart of their communities, inspiring and creating more music makers through their efforts.”

Each submission was evaluated for effectiveness in marketing, customer engagement and innovation in retail by a panel of independent judges. The panel also made a selection for several “Best of” category winners, including “Best Store Turnaround;” “Best Customer Service;” “Best Store Design;” “Best Marketing and Sales Promotion;” “Best Online Engagement;” “Best Emerging Dealer/Rookie Of The Year;” the “Music Makes a Difference;” award and the coveted, “Dealer of the Year” award. By entering, retailers are automatically considered for the “Best Of” categories as well as for “Dealer of the Year.” The “Best of” and “Dealer of the Year” awards to be announced during the Top 100 Dealer Awards gala on Friday, June 29 at the Summer NAMM Show in the Davidson Ballroom.

Congratulations to the following retailers (in alphabetical order):

At Summer NAMM, established and emerging music instrument, retail, and pro audio industry members will enjoy a plethora of professional development and business opportunities over the course of three days at Nashville’s Music City Center. At the annual mid-year member gathering, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 60 high-impact, future-focused educational sessions covering the biggest ideas and game-changing tactics to enrich attendees’ businesses and professional development and to help prepare them for the future.

Each morning of the show will bring the future to the fore in an opening NAMM U Breakfast Session. Thursday’s session will tackle the big trends in retail, from new business models and technologies to the omnichannel experience, with “Retail Innovators,” a session featuring the forward-thinking and successful retailers of today and the strategies and best practices positively changing retail. On Friday, the “Sales Lion” Marcus Sheridan will draw on his years of digital marketing and impart the transformative strategies needed to win online with “How to Become a Digital Powerhouse: Seven Steps to Online Transformation.” On Saturday, the perennial favorite “Best in Show,” a panel of retailers and Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazine Publisher Frank Alkyer return to share the hot products from Summer NAMM that consumers will be buzzing about into the holiday season and beyond.

Following the Breakfast Sessions, attendees will discover a wealth of professional insight and opportunities to strengthen retail businesses at the NAMM Idea Center. Highlights of the program span navigating and winning in online marketing, building strong lesson programs with low attrition, hosting unique and profitable in-store events, fresh ideas for creating a customer experience, and creative and cost-efficient store design.

Along with NAMM U, TEC Tracks returns with two full days of pro audio programming designed to help professionals take their careers to the next level. Notable sessions include “Crafting a Hit Record,” with multi-platinum and multi-Grammy winners Tony Brown, Jeffrey Steele, Steve Marcantonio and Andrew Mendelson; “Concert Sound for The Eagles,” with legendary monitor engineer Mark Frink; and “Solving the ‘Sound Problem’ at Your House of Worship,” a solution-focused session addressing common challenges. TEC Tracks will also play host to a special Studio Engineering Summit: four back-to-back sessions designed to provide an understanding of the realities of studio life featuring the industry’s most experienced and respected recording veterans.

Saturday welcomes the show’s Make Music Experience, delivering a robust lineup of sessions curated for emerging artists to build successful – and sustaining – careers. Highlights of the program include “DIY Tips for Marketing and Social Media Success,” “How to Prepare Your Music for Pitching,” “Essential Tips for Getting Endorsed and Sponsored” and “Pensado’s Place Live at Summer NAMM,” featuring Dave Pensado, Herb Trawick and recording legends as they delve into the hottest topics in production today.

Also on Saturday, A3E (Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange) will present the game-changing technologies and ideas that are driving the evolution of music products and pro audio technologies. Highlights from the program range from “The Future Musician: The Real Impact of Artificial Intelligence” and “Developing Creative Software in The Social Media Era Musician” to “The Future of The Frets: Guitar for the Next Generation of Musicians,” as well as others.

Before the show officially opens, retail professionals of all areas of expertise are invited to take part in the new Retail Training Summit: a mini-conference that deep dives into the most relevant and critical areas for music retail success. Held on Wednesday, June 27, the program marks an evolution of the popular Retail Boot Camp program as a way to offer specialized training for music retail professionals in a format designed to give hands-on, proven ideas, techniques and tools for retail success in a range of business areas. Retail professionals will be able to choose from six different sessions (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), covering a variety of hot-button issues and tools to stay competitive. Registration is now open and free to NAMM Members and their store staff to attend: https://www.namm.org/summer/2018/educational-sessions/nammu/retail-training-summit

View the complete education schedule here: 

NAMM U https://www.namm.org/summer/2018/events/nammu

TEC Tracks https://www.namm.org/summer/2018/events/tec-tracks

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and Timeless Communications Corp. (TCC), publisher of Projection Lights & Staging News (PLSN), FRONT of HOUSE (FOH), and Stage Directions magazines have reaffirmed the organizations’ alliance to serve the live event production community with a multi-year deal at The NAMM Show. As part of the agreement, TCC will return with its premier award show for the live production community, The Parnelli Awards and curated professional development sessions.

“Change is always difficult, but there was nothing difficult in moving the Parnelli Awards to the NAMM show,” says Terry Lowe, Parnelli Awards Executive Producer and Publisher of PLSN, FOH, and Stage Directions. “We are now part of a much larger picture and able to grow. The show was by all measures the best ever, and the opportunity to involve our pro event professionals in learning opportunities was extremely rewarding. And it’s just going to keep getting better.”

“The spirit of the Parnelli Awards captures perfectly what the NAMM is all about,” said Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO. “Honoring the hard work and dedication of this critically important community while at the same time bringing everyone together for the annual industry family reunion makes the NAMM Show the one you just want to be at!”

The agreement builds on the success of The 2018 NAMM Show, which gathered 115,000 professionals from 100 countries in the music instrument, pro audio, and event technology communities. At the Show, attendees enjoyed event technology education sessions produced by Timeless Communication Corp. and presented by industry experts, a variety of networking events, exhibitor displays, and the annual Parnelli Awards. As a result of the agreement, the Parnelli Awards will return to The NAMM Show for the next three years. The 2019 Parnelli Awards will be held on Friday, January 25 in the Hilton Anaheim on the NAMM Campus.

The Parnelli Awards recognize pioneering, influential professionals and companies and their contributions to the live production industry. Founded in 2001 and named after industry luminary Rick “Parnelli” O’Brien, the awards bring together the live entertainment community in a vibrant annual gathering to recognize the best-in-class across 22 different categories such as “Lighting Designer of the Year,” “Sound Company of the Year,” and “Rigging Company of the Year,” and the coveted “Lifetime Achievement,” “Visionary,” and “Audio Innovator” awards.

From school band concerts to houses of worship, to the largest tours and festivals, seemingly every music event today has a sophisticated element of production in it, and The NAMM Show has evolved to reflect this, growing from its original gathering of 52 piano dealers in 1901 to become the stable, reliable business platform for the global music, sound, and entertainment technology products industry. For industry professionals who make their living using these products, the show has become the crossroads of the music ecosystem and the hub for industry-leading professional development. With the expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center in 2018, The NAMM Show met the demand coming from these sectors as an event where industry pros can expect to benefit from robust professional development and education opportunities, as well as numerous networking events on the trade show floor.

Read the interview in FRONT of HOUSE magazine: http://fohonline.com/newsroom/news/next-parnelli-awards-to-be-held-jan-25-2019-and-at-namm-through-2021/

The NAMM Show will be held January 24-27, 2019 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Learn more by visiting NAMM.org

“…students in quality music programs are consistently more proficient in other subjects and develop many ancillary life-long skills.” Kansas University Researcher and professor Christopher Johnson

CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 17, 2018) -- This week, 583 school districts and 135 schools across the nation are being recognized by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as Best Communities for Music Education (BCME). In cooperation with researchers at The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas, and based on survey results, NAMM each year selects school districts that receive recognition as being among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) and individual schools who receive the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA).

Now in its 19th year, the awards program recognizes the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of the curriculum. Designations are given to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and consistent access to music education.

This year, The NAMM Foundation and the University of Kansas are recognizing school districts in 41 states, along with individual schools in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Those honored include both schools and districts that have never been recognized before, as well those that have received recognition multiple years in a row.

“The schools and districts we recognize this year – both new and repeat honorees – represent a diverse group of urban, rural and suburban districts and demographics,” said Mary Luehrsen of The NAMM Foundation. “Along with a strong commitment to music education, there are two common traits that each program shares: consistent funding that anchors music education as part of the core curriculum and music programs that are located in communities where music education is viewed as a jewel of the school system. Parents, administrators and community members are proud of these local music programs and attend them regularly.”

Research studies continue to demonstrate the physical, cognitive and social benefits of music making. Students who are involved in a school-based music program are not only more likely to graduate high school and attend college; also, only a few years of musical training early in life improves how the brain processes sound, even later in life. Social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills and learning how to give and receive constructive criticism.

“Music and the arts are a critical component of the core curriculum, and strong community support and involvement in the arts helps build an even stronger foundation for student success in those areas of study and beyond,” said KU researcher and professor Christopher Johnson. “Along with contributing to improved graduation rates and academic success, students in quality music programs are consistently more proficient in other subjects and develop many ancillary life-long skills. We have all noticed how the most involved music students are also exceptional critical thinkers and good listeners, able to persist through all kinds of adversities. The benefits of a strong music program extend far beyond the program itself, though the primary benefit will always be the unparalleled joys that good music brings to peoples’ lives.”

From coast to coast, schools recognized by The NAMM Foundation are engaging students and their communities through music. Whether these are students having a chance to perform with community choral, symphony and theater ensembles in Abingdon, Pennsylvania; reduced or low-cost private music lessons for needy students in Ann Arbor, Michigan; or English language learners in Grand Forks, North Dakota building new language usage skills through music education, schools and districts are creating a community of learners and showing what they have learned to the broader community.

The BCME program and the SupportMusic Merit Award evaluate schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction.

To review the list of the 583 Best Communities in Music Education, please visit: https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2018districts

A list of the 135 schools receive SupportMusic Merit Awards can be found here: https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2018schools

At 2018 Summer NAMM, retail professionals of all areas of expertise are invited to take part in the new Retail Training Summit: a mini-conference that deep dives into the most relevant and critical areas for music retail success.

The Retail Training Summit marks an evolution of the popular Retail Boot Camp program as a way to offer specialized training for music retail professionals in a format designed to give hands-on, proven ideas, techniques and tools for retail success in a range of business areas. Retail professionals will be able to choose from six different sessions (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), covering a variety of hot-button issues and tools to stay competitive. In the morning, the program will offer social media and online marketing; financial management; and business growth and entrepreneurship; and in the afternoon, sales; website optimization; and succession planning. A complete list of sessions and descriptions is available below. In between the morning and afternoon sessions, a lunch will be provided.

The Retail Training Summit will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at Nashville's Music City Center before the opening of Summer NAMM, June 28-30. The Retail Training Summit is free and NAMM Members are encouraged to register early, as this summit is expected to be at capacity.

The Retail Training Summit Schedule

Morning (9 am–12 pm)

Social Media and Online Marketing – Jenn Herman, Digital Marketing Expert
Immerse yourself in the inner workings of social media and online marketing. Presented by Jenn Herman, leading Instagram blogger and social media authority, this training will give you an in-depth knowledge of what works in social media today and how to grow your music retail business online. You'll interact with real-world examples and dissect content to best understand the strategies that lead to success, whether it's making sense of algorithms or digging into analytics. Herman will cover the differences between the major social media platforms, measuring and interpreting results, time-management tactics, how to define success with social marketing, developing your brand voice and style, and steps to growing your audience—the right way.

Financial Management – Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co.
This hard-hitting financial training will cover the most critical components of running a music retail business. Presented by Alan Friedman, CPA, and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co., the financial track is for store owners and any retail staff who want to learn about and tackle the financial challenges facing music retailers of all types and sizes. Friedman and Jobe will focus on proven best practices in the purchasing and management of music retail inventory. You'll also discover how to buy the right mix and quantity of musical products and gear. Find out how to boost the bottom line—and become more profitable.

Business Growth and Entrepreneurship – Rick Drumm, Traction Business Coaching
Want a proven method to grow your business? Looking to seize new opportunities and solve long-term issues, even those you may not be aware of? Then join music industry veteran Rick Drumm for an immersive training for owners, managers, entrepreneurs and business leaders. With a 40-year track record of growing companies in the music products industry, Drumm will walk you through the six critical components of business success. He'll show you how to create the right structure for your company and find the right people. This training will also reveal how to create accountability and execution in your organization, how to measure success and new ideas for creating a complete experience for your customers. Drumm is the president of Traction Business Coaching and COO of Caleb Chapman's Soundhouse Performance Studios.

Noon: Hosted lunch

Afternoon (1–4 pm)

Sales – Thomas Post, The Friedman Group
Customers now know more, expect more and have more choices. You have to give them a reason to come into your store—other than just the right products and prices. And in this high-impact sales training, presented by Thomas Post of The Friedman Group, you'll get a proven method to improve your customer experience and sales. Discover the secrets to relationship selling, why customer resistance exists and how to overcome it, and techniques for building trust and establishing value. This training comes from Harry Friedman's Gold Star Selling Course and is designed for everyone from owners to managers to first-time salespeople. Post has successfully trained professionals in industries ranging from music retail to furniture to sporting goods. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best!

Website and Google Checklist – Liz Jostes, Eli | Rose
You want to improve your website but don't know where to start. Or, maybe your website is working for you, but you want to take it to the next level—and get higher rankings on Google. If this sounds familiar, you'll want to be at this powerful education track, which is tailor-made for any music retailer looking to upgrade his or her online presence. Session host Liz Jostes, owner of Eli | Rose, has trained and consulted in industries ranging from retail to education to real estate. She'll cover the latest website and e-commerce best practices—including layout, design, functionality and mobile—drawing from successful examples both inside and outside of the industry. She'll also explain the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and look at how to improve your SEO and Google ranking. Most of all, she'll cover this from the perspective of a small business with limited time and resources.

Succession Planning – Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Co.
For the first time at Summer NAMM, longstanding financial experts Alan Friedman, CPA, and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. will do a deep dive into business succession. This hands-on training will cover the pros and cons of various store transition options, along with the effect each option has on cash, control and taxes. You'll also discover what does and doesn't add value to your store, vital tips for starting the succession-planning process and how to calculate the dollar amount of what your business is likely worth. Plus, you'll hear five real-life case studies. This track is designed for everyone from owners and their families to managers and potential successors. Register today!