Canadian Music Trade - August/September 2017 | Page 10

NEWS
Summer NAMM
2017 Offers
Something for
Everyone in MI
A
head of the all-important back-to-school and holiday sales
seasons, the 2017 Summer NAMM Show welcomed a plethora of
buyers, exhibitors, artists, industry veterans, and music profession-
als to the Music City Center in Nashville, TN from July 13-15.
“The pace of change is accelerating, and with it, never has it been more
critical to long-term business success to work on your business rather than
in it,” says Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. “The three days of Sum-
mer NAMM offered our valued members the tools needed to nurture and
grow their businesses through opportunities to cultivate new relationships,
reaffirm existing ones, and invest in their businesses through high-value
educational opportunities.”
NAMM hosted 14,284 industry members at the show, a two per cent in-
crease from 2016. Of note, international attendees accounted for a growth
of 14 per cent over 2016, and nearly 28 per cent growth over 2015 – a trend
that NAMM says demonstrates the international opportunities available to
both buyers and exhibiting members. Buyers from around the world found
their way to Summer NAMM in a comparable count to 2016, but with the
diversity of location and store product mix and needs as differentiating fac-
tors. This year’s event welcomed a slight increase of one per cent in buying
firms attending the show, an increase attributed to multi-line carriers from
the U.S. and Europe, and large e-commerce and brick and mortar ware-
house retailers populating the show floor with buying power.
The show counted 1,650 brands presented by 505 total exhibitors, com-
parable to 2016, but representing a two per cent increase over 2015.
More than 60 professional development sessions, designed to enhance
skills and businesses across the industry, were presented as part of NAMM
U and TEC Tracks. Hot topics included innovative store design, video mar-
keting secrets, and differentiating a lesson program, as well as a variety of
technology-focused sessions including the art of music production, audio
for VR, and live sound essentials. Special guests, including country hit-mak-
ers Sheryl Crow and Sara Evans, delighted the crowd.
The annual Top 100 Dealer awards applauded the excellence and
innovation found in music products retailing and this year recognized A&G
Central Music of Madison Heights, MI with the prestigious Dealer of the Year
award.
The 2018 NAMM Show will be held from Jan. 25-28 at the expanded
Anaheim Convention Center in California.
For more information, go to www.namm.org.
Sounds Distribution Announces New Management Structure
Sounds Distribution has announced its new management struc-
ture following the sudden passing of company president Rohan
Persaud in May 2017.
Effective immediately, Michael Clarke is now president and
CEO, which will see him lead the entire management team.
Clarke led the financial direction of the company over the last
seven years in his role as VP of finance and administration.
He was the “right hand” to Persaud and brings over 30 years
of financial, operational, and administrative expertise to the
management team.
Lynda Persaud is now VP of administration and human re-
sources. She was an active sounding board during the previous
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CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE
MICHAEL CLARKE
15 years her husband led Sounds Distribution and says
she is determined to continue his legacy to se