NAMM U Sessions

In this session, Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, will welcome some champions of business for a series of up-close and personal discussions. Listen in on the thoughts of these opinion leaders and get a rare glimpse into their views on the future of our industry in this rapidly changing business environment.

(FREE breakfast served 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.; session 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)

Spcial Double Session

Does your Web site consist of one static page after the other? Would you like your pages to come alive with video and slide shows? Do you want to extend your Web site out to the social networks like YouTube and MySpace? It’s not that hard to do—really!

Jen Lowe and the team from BoomBoom Percussion will show you how to do it. Step-by-step. Get your NAMM Show off to a flying start. Join us for 50 minutes of action-packed practical demonstrations. Learn about the free software tools you can use for video editing—no matter your level of proficiency. You can do it!

Look around your store and what do you see? Too many guitars and amps, too few accessories, the wrong mix of print music, unrented band instruments on the shelves, obsolete pro audio gear collecting dust and aging pianos racking up flooring costs. How does this happen? In this updated session, you will learn how to buy the right music product, quantity and mix, at the right cost and payment terms. Alan Friedman, a CPA with several music dealer clients, will give you the secret to making smart inventory buys.

Special Double Session

If you market on a limited budget, you can’t afford to miss this program. You’ll learn how to get maximum return from your investment in advertising and promotion, no matter what media you use. Online, print, direct mail, mobile…there are dozens of media to choose from. You’ll make better selections after this program. Plus, you’ll create more effective ads and messages using “Larry’s Magic Formula for Compelling Marketing Communications.” You’ll only get it here—don’t miss it

Is your store or drum department selling today's “drumming lifestyle,” or what was hot yesterday? Explore the future of the drum and percussion market from this panel of industry leaders, celebrities and educators. Whether you’re a small music store or a multi-location chain, you’ll hear insights and answers from the Percussion Marketing Council’s panel of experts on where the markets are heading and the trends that are just around the corner. Discover concepts and ideas way beyond the next drum clinic or event, and learn how to attract and sell to customers you have not considered before or don’t know how to reach.

For MI retailers, live sound should be more than powered speakers on a stick. From line arrays to digital consoles, the market is expanding and prospering. But to succeed, you must know the technology behind the latest trends. With decades of experience in installed and touring sound, Peavey's Kent Morris will explain in straight talk the ins, outs and throughs of pro-level live sound so you can command the respect you deserve and close the biggest sales of your career.

Are your music students just going through the motions with their music lessons? If so, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at your entire approach. Starting with presenting your program to prospective students and instructor selection, all the way through instruction and student performances, Jeff will show you how you can make student motivation the key principle of your lesson program.

Take a look at your latest advertising piece. Now take a look at an advertising piece from your competitor. Is there a difference? Can your customers see the difference? Probably not!

Industry veteran Joe Bredau will show you how to discover your competitive advantage. Advertise what makes you special! Give your customers five compelling reasons to shop at your store.

How can you cultivate enthusiastic customers when your own employees are not fully energized? You can’t. If you want to build “buzz” about your business, you need to begin by building “buzz in your business.” Turn your store into a beehive of excitement and activity. Get your staff humming and working together as a team. Your customers will catch the enthusiasm!

If you are looking for practical tips and techniques to motivate your staff—and who isn’t?—be sure to attend this session. Gayle Beacock is the perfect model of a motivated employee. Learn how she motivates herself—and her staff—to reach their goals. You will come away buzzing with ideas to energize your employees.   

Many manufacturers have international artist relations programs, but relatively few music products retailers have their own home-grown endorsements or event series. Where do you find talent? How much does it cost? What will the impact be on sales and profits? Join us for five actionable tips geared to using local artist relations and events to attract more customers, increase sales and set your store apart in today’s ultra-competitive market.