Day Two of the 2006 NAMM Summer Session Features New Business, Industry Education and Music Making

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, hosted the second day of the 2006 NAMM Summer Session today at the Austin Convention Center.

Alan Friedman moderated the day's NAMM University Breakfast Session, "Independent Retailer Town Hall Meeting," with a panel consisting of Dave Teeple of Port Huron Music Center, Tom Sumner of Yamaha, Pete Sides of Robert M. Sides Family Music Center, Bill Mendello of Fender Musical Instruments, Larry O'Neill of Dobbs Stanford, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond, George Hines of George's Music and Paul Damiano of Kaman. Attendees packed the session, where the group responded to audience questions and comments on topics including mass distribution, Internet warranties, merchandising, global competition, buying and sharing groups, and NAMM's role in the business process.

To further address the topic of the independent retailer, today NAMM appointed a subcommittee to its Board of Directors that will look into the challenges of the changing retail model and create a plan of action to assist independent dealers. The committee consists of Aaron Soriero of Music Matters, Beth Kidder of Kidder Music, Chris White of White House of Music, Craig Gigax of Meridian Music, Dan Vedda of Skyline Music, Gayle Beacock of Beacock Music, Jim Rupp of Columbus Pro Percussion, Joel Menchey of Menchey Music, Todd Trent of Ontario Music, Johnny Thompson of Johnny Thompson Music, Mark Depotakis of Progressive Music, Pat Oliver of Treble Clef Music, Rosemary Rodd of Leo's Pro Audio, Don Ulrich of Yenney's Music, Larry Garris of Corner Music, Bob Battersby of Cornerstone Music, Don Middleton of Don's Music Land, Ltd. and committee chairman Chip Averwater of Amro Music.

On the show floor, traffic was steady throughout the day, as attendees checked out the newest gear, crowded around product demos and made new industry contacts.

"We had good traffic and a lot of contacts we didn't expect being here for the first time, the first year in Austin," said Nick Epifani of Epifani Custom Sound Systems. "Everything—the atmosphere, the food—it's great being in Austin. And one of the most important things is the layout of the show, where everything is on one floor as opposed to multi-level. The layout is a great thing."

The NAMM Idea Center housed another full day of NAMM University sessions, with topics ranging from music education to motivational ideas for salespeople.

"We're a pretty successful company, but I still find that some of the grassroots, basic sort of facts are very informational and very helpful," said Chuck Surack of Sweetwater Sounds. "I think the session with Ravi was pretty good about music lessons at your store and how to tie them into your business."

Attendees had many chances to express their inner drummer throughout the day. The NAMM Fastest Drummer Contest drew a new crowd of participants who were vying for tomorrow's contest finals, and the evening's annual All-Industry Drum Circle drew a crowd outside of the Austin Convention Center.

Tomorrow's highlights include the final NAMM University Breakfast Session, "Best in Show," in which Music Inc. Publisher Frank Alkyer and a panel of gear experts will give a snapshot of the show's hottest products and trends. The NAMM University sessions will conclude with four different open roundtable discussions for industry members to speak their minds and share ideas. And the top 10 competitors from the NAMM Fastest Drummer Contest on Friday and Saturday will battle for the official title of "Fastest Hands" and "Fastest Feet."

For more information, interested parties can log on to www.nammsummersession.com.