NAMM Heralds 2014’s Top 100 Dealers

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) applauds thriving music instrument and product retailers from around the world with the announcement of the 2014 Top 100 Dealers. These industry trailblazers will be celebrated during an awards event held on Friday night, July 18 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

“NAMM is proud to recognize these music stores with the coveted Top 100 Dealer Award,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “These businesses exemplify the passion for making music that unites all of us. They are on the front lines in bringing music and music education to their community and are truly the backbone of our industry.”

This year, for the first time, commercial NAMM members were invited to nominate retailers for Top 100 status, creating a broader pool of nominees. A panel of impartial expert judges selected by but not otherwise affiliated with NAMM evaluated nominees using a numeric rating. Retailers chosen as Top 100 Dealers demonstrated consistent merit in several areas, including:

• A commitment to exceptional customer service
• Proven community advocacy and support for music education
• An exemplary retail experience worth returning for and recommending to others
• Merchandising and marketing tactics that encourage repeat sales
• Sound planning for future success, employing marketing and training initiatives
• Engaging and effective use of web and social media

The judges noted that the quality of nominees for this year’s Top 100 was particularly high, elevating the competition. Excellence in eight separate divisions will be recognized during the Summer NAMM Show at a special evening presentation event Friday, July 18. Best Exterior Presentation, Best Merchandising Display, Best Marketing and Sales Promotion, Best Online Presentation, SupportMusic Advocacy, Music Makes a Difference, Best Emerging Dealer “Rookie of the Year,” Best Special Event, as well as Dealer of the Year will be awarded at the Top 100 Dealer Awards in Nashville.

See the full list of the 2014 Top 100 Dealers here: http://www.namm.org/summer/2014/top-dealers.

NAMM Members are invited to the Top 100 Dealer Awards, held July 18 in Nashville’s Music City Center Davidson Ballroom. Ira Dean, Trick Pony’s charismatic bassist and vocalist, will host this year’s awards event. Registration for Summer NAMM is now open: http://www.namm.org/summer/2014/badges.