School Music Dealers Meet in Orlando for 2008 Convention

Joel Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM with Mick Faulhaber,  Ward-Brodt Music, Madison, Wis.

Scott Summerhays of Murray, Utah-based Summerhays Music, president of NASMD.

Jeff Eckroth of Eckroth Music, Bismarck, N.D., with Neil Larrivee of Vic Firth Inc.

Continuing a longstanding annual tradition, the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) staged its 46th convention Mar. 26-29.

This year’s event was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, close by Disney World and other holiday attractions in Orlando, Fla.

As in the past, the convention received stalwart financial support from its associate members, including band & orchestral suppliers, music publishers, and NAMM. Gold Sponsors this year were Buffet Crampon, Conn-Selmer, Jupiter, and Yamaha. Silver Sponsors were D’Addario, Gemstone, Hal Leonard, NAMM, Eastman Strings, and Progress Publications. Twenty-three other companies contributed as Bronze and General Sponsors.

Grayson Zeagler, Zeagler Music, Monroe, La., and NASMD Program Chair and the board of directors developed a multi-faceted educational program addressing issues school-oriented dealers face in the current marketplace. Sessions were split into specific tracks for the general industry, educational representatives, road/retail salespeople, and owners/management.

Keynote talks were given by Steven S. Little, author of The Seven Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth, NAMM’s Joe Lamond, who discussed NAMM’s latest efforts to support school music dealers on Capitol Hill and with educator groups, and Robin Benincasa, who looked into the essentials to building world-class teams.

Social events were not overlooked, as attendees enjoyed golf, tennis, and other sports in the Florida sun, and took in the opening night party and the traditional closing night reception and gala banquet.

The 2009 NASMD Convention is scheduled for Apr. 1-4 at Starr Pass, Tucson, Ariz. For more information on NASMD, contact: Madeleine Crouch, National Association of School Music Dealers, Inc., 14070 Proton Rd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75244. Phone (972) 233-9107. Fax (972) 490-4219.

Email: office@nasmd.com. Web:www.nasmd.com.