Day Two of the 2011 NAMM Show Features Insight for Retailers, Strong Business on the Show Floor

The second day of the NAMM Show drew a strong crowd to the morning Breakfast Session called “Lessons Learned: How Doing Business Now Has Changed for the Better,” which focused on sharpening retail business techniques.

Danny Rocks of The Company Rocks and retail experts George Hines of Hines Music; Alan Rosen of Bananas at Large; Mark Goff of Paige's Music; and Gayle Beacock of Beacock Music discussed their personal experiences and shared business tactics that have worked for them.

“The only constant that we have is change,” said Rocks. “And the rate of change has accelerated dramatically. To be successful in business today; however, it's not enough to just keep up with changes. That won't work—it's impossible. The rate of change in business is just too fast. Rather, successful people, successful businesses have learned to anticipate change, how to stay ahead of change. They've learned to take advantage of the opportunities that change presents.”

The show floor was filled with activity early on, and NAMM Member retailers were positive about their experience at the show so far.

“The show is great,” said Gordy Wilcher of Owensboro Music Center. “I think it's a great crowd, it's a wonderful show, everybody's attitudes are positive. One of the goals I have is not to look at product so much but to learn how to do business in today's ever-changing market, so the NAMM U sessions are very important. Plus we're looking for innovative new products for our store and ways to turn them into sales.”

“I'm seeing a lot of new things, making new friends, new customers, and meeting my old friends too,” said Uche Ezeani of De-Saints View International Co., Ltd. in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. “It's about customers, so it's good to go to a place where everybody comes together.”

Exhibitors also expressed their enthusiasm for this year's show. 

“So far the show's been perfect,” said Brandon Tabor of Souldier. “There's a lot of people here and a lot of opportunity. We're meeting a lot of great people who are interested in our product, and it's more than beneficial to participate. This year, even more than last year, I'd say it's 50–50 for us today on international orders and U.S. orders. In all the NAMM stuff that goes on at night—the culture—it's like summer camp for gearheads.”

“We love the NAMM Show,” said Chris Byrne of Evets Corporation (Danelectro and Stark). “Everything is looking good so far. As long as you're working hard in 2011, you will survive and you just might make some extra money. We are booked solid every day for international appointments and we had decent flow—couple hundred guitars were sold yesterday—and we're working hard to achieve that today.”

Also today, the NAMM Foundation continued its “Generation Next” program for college students interested in pursuing careers in the musical products industry. The program provides educational and networking sessions with industry professionals throughout the show, and featured professionals from Conn-Selmer, Inc. and professors from U.S. universities today.

Meanwhile, the NAMM Foundation announced at a press conference the launch of its 12th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Survey, a nationwide search for communities whose programs exemplify a strong commitment to music education. Established in 1998, BCME recognizes and celebrates schools, their administrators, teachers, board members, parents and students for their support and commitment to music education. The 2011 survey will remain open today through Friday, March 14, 2011. The survey can be completed at www.nammfoundation.org.

Retailers continued their professional development at NAMM University sessions including “How to Use Facebook to Market Your Business: The Dos and Don'ts,” “Adding Up: 5 Ways to Increase Every Sale,” and “The Hidden Secrets of Open Mics: A Fresh Look at a Proven Model.”

The Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) Zone drew professionals from the recording, live sound, DJ, houses of worship, and stage and lighting industries for custom solutions and educational sessions such as “Tips for Acoustically Treating Your Home Studio” and “Understanding the Church Audio/Video/Lighting Needs.”

Today, nearly 30 people gathered in the H.O.T. Zone for a hands-on mixing session being offered by Scratch DJ Academy of West L.A.

“You have other instruments in the house here today violin, flute, piano, guitar and there are outlets to learn those instruments, but when it comes to DJing, where do you learn that?” said DJ Dazzler, director of communications and relations management at Scratch DJ Academy. “We want to expose this culture—this art form to other people and see DJs as artists and the turntables as an instrument.”

Brand new to the NAMM Show tonight, will be the 26th Annual TEC Awards. The evening's top honor, the Les Paul Award, will be presented to Lindsey Buckingham by producers Elliot Scheiner and Ken Caillat, and introduced by Al Schmitt. Other presenters include: Alan Parson, Chad Smith, Ken Scott, Ed Cherney, Dylan Dresdow, Frank Serafine, Paul Lipson, Jeff Kollman and Mr. Bonzai.