NAMM U Retail

NAMM U offers NAMM members free, targeted education to help you grow your business. NAMM U includes NAMM U Breakfast Sessions, NAMM Idea Center sessions, Retail Summits and other exclusive education opportunities. Please read the legal disclaimer about NAMM U education programs.

 

Retail Summits

All-day immersions into strategies and trends to transform your business and amplify your success.

  • Wednesday, January 15, 2020
  • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Retail Innovation Summit

    Presenters: Marcus Sheridan, Global Marketing Expert
    Location: Anaheim Hilton, Level 2, California C–D
    An immersion into strategies, innovations and trends to transform your business and amplify your success. Presented by marketing guru Marcus Sheridan. This event is free to NAMM members, but you must register first.
  • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Retail Financial Summit - REGISTRATION FULL

    Presenters: Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Co.
    Location: Anaheim Hilton, Level 4, C8
    An all-day deep dive into financial strategies, trends and updates to grow your business. Hosted by financial experts Alan Friedman, CPA, and Daniel Jobe, EA, of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. This event is free to NAMM members, but you must register first.

NAMM U Breakfast Sessions

Held each morning from 8:30–9:30 am at the Anaheim Hilton, Pacific Ballroom, Level 2. Free breakfast served 8–8:30 am — first come, first served. Early entrance for NAMM Vista Program badges from 7:45–8 am.

  • Thursday, January 16, 2020
  • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

    Breakfast of Champions

    Presenter: Joe Lamond
    Location: Hilton, Level 2, Pacific Ballroom
    2020 is the year of “Crossroads.” Like the blues song, Crossroads refers to a mythical fork in the road, one we now face as we adapt to the blinding speed of change. Crossroads also represents a gathering place that links culture, technology and trade. And our own Crossroads, The NAMM Show, serves as the gathering of all the musical communities, instruments, pro audio and entertainment technology—offering you a powerful glimpse into the future. In this special edition of “Breakfast of Champions," join NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond as he sits down with the biggest thought leaders in MI, sound and entertainment technology for up-close, one-on-one discussions. You’ll want to be in the room when they reveal their unique paths to success and perspectives to help you navigate your own personal Crossroads.
  • Friday, January 17, 2020
  • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

    Transformative Marketing: Strategies for the Next Decade

    Presenter: Ann Handley
    Location: Hilton, Level 2, Pacific Ballroom
    Modern marketing and social media are fast-paced and always-on, but is “fast” really the best path to drive marketing transformation at your business? Is real-time, right now going to deliver the best results and marketing experiences to your customers? Marketing guru Ann Handley is here to tell you “no”! Because always-on is exhausting. Because fast and frenzied is unsustainable. Because you have a business to run. And in this NAMM U Breakfast Session, Handley will be your tour guide for effective marketing in 2020. She’ll reveal why the companies seeing the most success in marketing and social media are those that slow down, do less and obsess over key areas. Most of all, she’ll share how you can be more strategic to fuel your own marketing success. Are you ready? Join Handley, and find out why you are!
  • Saturday, January 18, 2020
  • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

    How to Build an Iconic Business

    Presenter: Scott McKain
    Location: Hilton, Level 2, Pacific Ballroom
    In this age of business disruption, “standing out” from the competition is more challenging than ever—and usually not enough to win. To be a lasting business, you need to become iconic in your customers’ minds and hearts. But how does a company go from merely good to icon status? Find out as NAMM welcomes Scott McKain, global customer-experience expert, musician and Hall of Fame speaker. In this exciting NAMM U Breakfast Session, McKain will share the five key characteristics of iconic organizations and how you can make these concepts work for your own business. You’ll discover specific, practical steps for delivering the ultimate customer experience, creating distinction in the marketplace and taking your business to the highest level. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and future-proof your business today!
  • Sunday, January 19, 2020
  • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

    Best In Show

    Presenter: Frank Alkyer
    Location: Hilton, Level 2, Pacific Ballroom
    What do you need to see before you leave The NAMM Show? What products, services and technologies are likely to be a big deal and drive the industry in the year ahead? Find out at “Best in Show,” the popular closing NAMM U Breakfast Session. Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, will host a panel of retail gear experts who’ve shopped the far corners of the exhibit floor to bring you their picks. They’ll reveal not only the biggest products at The NAMM Show but also sales tips and potential customers for this gear. Exhibitors, take note: You’ll want to be at “Best in Show,” too. In fact, you might just be a winner.

NAMM Idea Center Sessions

NAMM Idea Center sessions are held every half-hour (unless otherwise noted) during show hours. They deliver proven ideas and how-to tips for music retailers that you can put to use right away.

Thursday, January 16
Friday, January 17
Saturday, January 18
Sunday, January 19

Piano Retail Sessions

Special educational sessions for piano retailers, hosted by Bob Popyk.

  • Thursday, January 16, 2020
  • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    Successful Marketing Strategies for Today’s Piano Dealer

    Presenters: Bob Popyk, Music Trades Magazine Columnist (Moderator), and Panel
    Location: Anaheim Hilton, Level 4, A9
    What used to work for selling pianos oftentimes doesn’t work today. It’s a different world. Digitals have taken hold. Acoustic competition is eBay and Craigslist. In this panel discussion, you’ll find out what’s working right now with class lessons, media advertising, the senior market, concerts and clinics, outside promotions, online marketing and more. Bob will be joined by panelists Lori Supinie from Kansas, Robert Estrin from California, Michael Stilwell from Arizona, Darrin Wittkopp from Washington and website wizard Tom Folenta.
  • Friday, January 17, 2020
  • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    Where Is the Piano Business Heading Now?

    Presenters: Bob Popyk, Music Trades Magazine Columnist (Moderator), and Panel
    Location: Anaheim Hilton, Level 4, A9
    Where will the profit opportunities be in the months and years to come for selling pianos? What’s the future of acoustic pianos? Will digital pianos bring in customers who would never consider a furniture piece? Will the grand piano market grow or shrink? How will dealers compete with online lessons, internet competition from across the country and the used pianos privately sold? How will we find new students and new piano customers? This session, moderated by Music Trades Magazine columnist Bob Popyk, will explore all of these questions. Bob will be joined by Art Olson from California, Tim Paul from Illinois, Sandy Boyce from Florida, Cliff Ashley from Washington, plus industry pro Larry Fresch.