The NAMM Show
The NAMM Dealer Awards
Friday, January 24 5:30 pm: Reception | 6 pm: Awards Ceremony
Now in its 14th year, the NAMM Dealer Awards spotlights the industry’s very best music product retailers and their strategies for success. An independent panel of judges chooses the Top 100 Dealer finalist list from retailers that submit their businesses for consideration. Judges also select winners in the seven "Best of" categories, from which the prestigious "Dealer of the Year" is chosen. This year's awards ceremony will be held at The 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
Eligibility
You must be a NAMM retail member company to be considered. To ensure your eligibility to participate, be sure your NAMM membership is current. Retail stores with recently expired memberships can renew now. All other retail stores can complete the NAMM Membership Application to become a member. Submissions are now closed for the 2025 NAMM Dealer Awards.
NAMM Dealer Awards “Best of” Categories
Innovation Award
We’re living in a time of rapid change and disruption. The Innovation Award highlights a retail member’s commitment to reimagine the retail experience and focus on the consumer. Retail stores are looking beyond price and service to create an immersive shopping experience, in-person and online. They are often filling a void in the community and becoming a marketplace by bringing the consumer and music together.
Best Store Design
Effective merchandising can be the defining difference in purchase decisions. Not only does store design enhance your brand, but it also sets the stage for a positive customer experience, creating opportunities for repeat customers and referrals.
Best Online Engagement
It’s never been more critical for retailers to establish an effective online presence that encourages customer engagement. After all, having a well-developed website, online marketing strategy and presence on social media is vital to building a successful following.
Best Community Retail Store
Independent retailers need to become part of the community they serve. This community effort can be a big driver for sales. Consumers want to support the business that gives back and supports their community. This category celebrates our industry’s independent stores — single-location stores that have made their mark on their local community. How do you make your store and employees part of the “family” of your town?
Best Customer Service
When it comes to gaining a competitive edge, excellent customer service is key. This category recognizes retailers working hard to attract and retain customers through engagement and experiences.
Best Marketing and Sales Promotion
To establish a brand people remember, you need to be creative — and consistent. This category celebrates the outstanding marketing and sales efforts that NAMM retailers have used to build their brands and grow their customer bases.
Music Makes a Difference
Every day, NAMM member retailers have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. This award celebrates their efforts and enables retailers to share some of their most inspiring customer stories.
Dealer of the Year
The NAMM Dealer of the Year Award is given to the store that embodies the best in music retail strategies, marketing and presentation. Judges will select the 2025 Dealer of the Year from top finalists in each of the seven categories.
2025 NAMM Top Dealer Finalist Assets
Being a Top 100 Dealer is quite an accomplishment — you should let the world know! Download these assets and proudly share your honors across web, social and email.
Maxwell’s House of Music Wins 2024 NAMM Dealer of the Year
“This world would be a much better place if everybody learned to play music and could sing a song together. It just would be,” says Mark Maxwell, owner of Maxwell’s House of Music and the NAMM 2024 Dealer of the Year.
It’s this belief that led him to launch Maxwell’s Music Lab, a free music-education program that gives students the opportunity to try out an instrument before purchasing. For one hour a week over 12 weeks, they learn how to perform a song with a six-person band. From years of teaching, Maxwell knows that if students feel the rush of playing a tune early on in their learning, they are more likely to believe they are capable of being musicians. Read more.