NAMM ’ s Top MI Dealers Honoured During Virtual Celebration On Jan . 21 , 2021 during Believe in Music Week , NAMM honoured the best in independent music retail and applauded their accomplishments , resilience , and commitment to serving music makers at the Top 100 Dealer Awards . The show , which aired on Believe TV , announced the “ Best of ” category winners , including “ Dealer of the Year ” and “ Customers Choice ” awards . Five Star Guitars of Beaverton , OR , earned the highest honours , being named NAMM ’ s Dealer of the Year . The category winners were : Santa Monica Music Center in Santa Monica , CA , for Best Community Retail Store ; Amro Music Stores in Memphis , TN , for Best Customer Service ; Heid Music Company in Appleton , WI , for Best Marketing and Sales Promotion ; Andertons Music Co . in Surrey , United Kingdom for Best Online Engagement and the Customers Choice Award ; Drum Center of Portsmouth in North Hampton , NH , for Best Store Design ; Royalton Music Center in North Royalton , OH , earned the Innovation Award ; and The Candyman Strings & Things in Santa Fe , MN , got the Music Makes a Difference Award .
On earning the Dealer of the Year designation , Five Star Guitars Owner Geoff Metts , shared , “ We ’ re truly honoured – it ’ s thrilling . It ’ s been a year that ’ s been so full of turmoil and that ’ s ... I ’ m just at a loss for words . I would like to thank staff and everyone who has supported our business . This award means a great deal to all of us .”
The Top 100 Awards show is typically held at Summer NAMM in Nashville , TN , but the 2020 awards were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Hosted by NAMM Professional Development Director Zach Phillips , selection for the “ Best of ” categories followed the same process as previous years . To determine the “ Best of ” category winners , a panel of independent judges reviewed and made selections from the Top 100 finalists . Each finalist was evaluated for effectiveness in marketing , customer engagement , and innovation in retail . The event ’ s “ Customers Choice Award ” was determined by an online popular vote among customers and fans .
For more information , go to www . namm . org .
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 13