NAMM Honors the Best in Music Retailing with Top 100 Dealer Awards

Entries are now being accepted for NAMM’s 2013 Top 100 Dealer Awards, which spotlight the music instrument and products industry’s best, brightest and most proactive retailers. The awards held during Summer NAMM, July 11-13, 2013 in Nashville, recognize retailers in seven “Best of” categories, with the 2013 “Dealer of the Year” chosen from among the Top 100. This is the opportunity to give recognition, celebrate excellence, and honor the year’s most successful strategies.

According to Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, NAMM retailers are on the front lines of the music industry. “The Top 100 celebrates our friends and peers who have risen above the crowd to serve their communities in new and innovative ways,” Lamond said. “Members who come to Summer NAMM can learn from their success and take home some of these best practices just in time for the critical fall and holiday selling season.”

Judges look for retailers with inventive, visionary approaches, proactive business practices, and standout performance as they review the Top 100. During the July 12 awards, excellence in seven divisions will be recognized in front of a crowd of industry leaders and peers. Categories include, Best Exterior Presentation and/or Merchandising Display; Best Marketing and Sales Promotion; Best Online Presentation; SupportMusic Advocacy; Music Makes a Difference; Best Emerging Dealer “Rookie of the Year;” and Best Special Event.

Retailers from mom-and-pop stores to larger chains that are interested in gaining for Top 100 recognition should enter by April 30, 2013. NAMM will announce the 2013 Top 100 Dealers at the end of May, and the “Best of” category winners and “Dealer of the Year” July 12 in Nashville.

This year, Summer NAMM moves to Nashville’s new, state-of-the-art Music City Center, filling the soaring space with live music, thousands of buyers, and product debuts from the most exciting established and emerging brands. In addition, NAMM is designing a full slate of professional development opportunities tailored for retailers including a return of the popular retail boot camp on July 10. Summer NAMM is the best opportunity to stock shelves with the latest products in advance of the busy holiday season. Register for NAMM starting this May.