Day Three of the 2011 NAMM Show Features More Advice and Tips for Retailers, Packed Show Floor

The third day of the NAMM Show kicked off with more tips and advice to retailers on how to enhance their businesses at the morning Breakfast Session called “The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business” featuring Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor.

Phibbs drew upon his extensive retail experience and direct style to impart valuable advice to retailers about how to set their businesses apart from others in a competitive market.

He also shared secrets on turning store merchandise twice as fast, elements of hiring only the best staff, and tried-and true tips for converting people looking for your products into loyal customers.

“I thought [the session] was fantastic,” said Randy Hansen, a retail buyer from Kracker Jacks Drum Shop in Waite Park, Minn. “It was one of the better ones I’ve ever gotten to. I learned a lot about how to organize our shop and also about how to work with our salespeople, including myself as the owner.”

The educational sessions continued on the show floor for retailers at the Idea Center, where presenter Danny Rocks of The Company Rocks and panelists actor and musician Greg Grunberg of Yowza!! and Scott Robertson, NAMM’s director of marketing and communications, led a lively discussion about how musicians and social media marketers are using e-coupon technology to geo-target customers and send instant offers to their phones when they are within walking distance of a store.

Additional NAMM University sessions throughout the day focused on keeping music education programs alive and kids engaged in playing music in your local community, and how to engage the entire family in music making through in-store group lessons.

“The show is amazing,” said Phillip Ferrell, a commercial studio buyer from The Heat in Mill Creek, Wash. “This is my seventh year as a NAMM Member, and it’s as amazing as ever. I’m really excited that they have the different pavilions, like the App and Gaming Pavilion—it’s amazing. I think that’s a really, really cool idea. And even the H.O.T. Zone training—we went to a DJing class yesterday, and it was just like so much more than I’ve ever experienced at a NAMM Show. Normally it’s like, ‘OK, a new product,’ but actually the way you can learn, the way that you can interact with other people is really, really helpful. We’re sad it’s only two more days, but we’re really looking forward to what’s more to come.”

The NAMM Foundation welcomed music education professionals to its “Music Education Days” program that runs today through tomorrow. The program celebrates and honors music educators and provides an opportunity for music teachers to explore the instruments and musical products that could make a big difference in the lives and education of children and young adults.

Today’s “Music Education Days” lineup of events included a presentation by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Victor Wooten called “The Music Lesson” exploring the importance and benefits of music and music education, and the Crane Institute for Music Business’s Sandy Feldstein Industry Roundtable, featuring music products industry leaders exploring the relationships between the music education and music products sectors. Panelists included Andy Zildjian, president of SABIAN, Ltd.; Larry Thomas, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments; Jay Wanamaker, senior vice president of percussion at KMC Music; Susan Lipp, president of Full Compass Systems; Carol “Kickie” Britt, executive director of the Crane Institute for Music Business and coordinator of Music Business at SUNY Potsdam; and Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO.

NAMM held its Annual Meeting of Members today during the 2011 NAMM Show. After introducing past presidents in attendance, reviewing the new annual report and recapping highlights of the year, Chairman Tom Schmitt called for the vote of the new slate of the NAMM Board of Directors. Visit www.namm.org to view more about the new Board of Directors.

Tonight, NAMM will host the first-ever All-Star Celebrity Jam, featuring BAND FROM TV, a musical ensemble of actors who are also musicians. Band members include Greg Grunberg of “Heroes” and NBC’s upcoming love anthology, “Love Bites”; Jesse Spencer (violin) currently starring in “House;” Bob Guiney (vocals), who appeared on “The Bachelor” and is now the daily host of “GSN: Live;” Adrian Pasdar (guitar), from “Heroes”; and Scott Grimes (keyboard/vocals) from “American Dad,” “ER,” and “Robin Hood”; Chuck Lorre (guitar), producer of "Two and a Half Men" and "Big Bang Theory." The All-Star Celebrity Jam will feature additional actors and reality TV stars who also enjoy making music, highlighting the importance of recreational music making for all ages and talent levels.

Also tonight at Downtown Disney, NAMM will be hosting the 2nd Annual SchoolJam USA teen battle of the bands competition. Emceed by up-and-coming Disney stars Bridgit Mendler and Adam Hicks, 10 finalist teen bands from across the United States will compete for the title of the nation’s best teen band. SchoolJam USA is a national program that rewards aspiring teen music makers, between the ages of 13 and 19, and their respective school music programs with music funding and prizes, as well as the opportunity to perform live before the public and a panel of music industry professionals. Winners are estimated to be announced between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).