“Come for the trade show; stay for the fun” is the slogan for this year’s Summer NAMM. A new venue, more brands, and high-caliber evening events renewed NAMM’s annual summer event in 2013. This year NAMM ups the ante with additional exhibit space to accommodate new and returning brands, more opportunities for professional development, and not-to-be-missed evening events.
“Summer NAMM gives our community music store members and the vendors who support them a competitive edge going into the critically important fall and holiday selling season,” said Joe Lamond, CEO and president of NAMM. “There are specific educational and networking opportunities that can only happen here and the Nashville scene provides a perfect break to recharge your passion for music and the industry.”
Buyer-friendly Summer NAMM focuses on retailers, with educational sessions that address the independent music stores’ most pressing concerns. The always-popular Retail Boot Camp, held the day before the show opens, provides hard-hitting solutions and fresh ways of navigating retailers’ most formidable obstacles. Traffic-driving promotional ideas, efficient inventory management, and lesson program implementation are a few of the topics on the agenda.
NAMM members look forward to returning to Music City Center, a state-of-the-art convention center with thoughtful details seemingly tailor-made for music product events. “The best thing about the new Center is the natural light, which makes people happy and makes our guitars and mandolins look just beautiful,” said Scott Thompson, vice president of sales for The Music Link.
On Wednesday night, “Insight” will provide “had to be there moments,” as the most recognized personalities in the music-products industry engage in an illuminating discussion. The Top 100 Dealer Awards on Friday night will recognize retailer excellence in eight categories and name the 2014 Dealer of the Year.
Music product industry leaders will also share their strategies for success in a post-recessionary business climate during Summer NAMM’s most progressive NAMM U lineup in years. NAMM Idea Center sessions, as well as the popular Retail Boot Camp, NAMM Retail Summit and Breakfast Sessions, elevate the Summer NAMM experience with practical inspiration to benefit newcomers and veterans alike.
Summer NAMM’s crop of more than 30 professional development sessions tap into two of the hottest growth areas for music industry retailing, technology and music lesson programs. Sessions will demonstrate lucrative ways to leverage online tech tools, including eBay, Google, Yelp, and social media platforms. In total, more than a dozen sessions will focus on online tools that can help music retailers grow their businesses.
Breakfast Sessions will be held each day of Summer NAMM, beginning with the NAMM Retail Summit on July 17. Hosted by Joe Lamond, the session promises to be an inspiring exploration of the music industry’s current retail climate. Additional Breakfast Sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings explore leadership skills and celebrate retailers’ picks for best products at the show.
NAMM members should plan to arrive in Nashville a day early to attend the always-popular Retail Boot Camp, held Wednesday, July 16. Boot Camp is an intensive one-day training for music retailers and their employees. This year’s Boot Camp will cover successful promotions, sales and inventory management — the most important areas for a thriving music retailer.
Also the night before the show opens will feature “Insight: Iconic Artists and the Gear That Inspires Them” in Music City Center's Davidson Ballroom. Country Music Hall of Fame veteran Vince Gill and Two Old Hippies founder Tom Bedell share the stage with their all-star musician friends for an evening of story and song. The celebrated group will share tales of the beloved instruments used in some of their best-known hits. Gill’s band, The Players, will perform, guaranteeing a once-in-a-lifetime evening. Wednesday’s opening party kicks off with food and drinks at 6 p.m. “Insight” begins at 7 p.m.
The World’s Fastest Drummer competition kicks off Thursday on the Level 3 Lobby Stage. Lightning-fast heats continue throughout the show, concluding 1 p.m. Saturday. The top 10 fastest drummers will compete for the title Saturday at 2 p.m.
This year’s Top 100 Dealer Awards unite the best in retailing around live music, free food and drinks. Ira Dean, the powerhouse bassist of GRAMMY-nominated trio Trick Pony hosts this year’s event, which will honor NAMM retailers in eight ‘Best Of’ categories, including ‘Dealer of the Year.’ The Davidson Ballroom doors open at 6 p.m., with the awards beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Those from home can join in the celebration when The Top 100 is streamed live.
From the Grand Ole Opry to Honky Tonk Row, Nashville has live music performances for every taste. Visitors hungry for musical history can explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, or the Music City Walk of Fame. Music Row, where Elvis, Roy Orbison, and Dolly Parton made their musical mark, is considered the heart of Nashville's entertainment industry.
Before you head to Nashville, download the free NAMM app for your mobile device and browse exhibitors, create a personal schedule and map to meeting rooms, and check out the best routes across the exhibit hall based on your location.
For all web-enabled devices, simply point your mobile browser to m.core-apps.com/snamm14 to be automatically directed to the proper download version of the app.
www.namm.org/summer/2014
