Schedule of Events

All Idea Center sessions will be held at the NAMM Idea Center, booth 463, unless otherwise noted. All TEC Tracks sessions will be held at booth 263.

Wednesday, July 12

Retail Boot Camp
9 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Music City Center, Level 1 Meeting Rooms
Get to 2017 Summer NAMM a day early for Retail Boot Camp! This year, Retail Boot Camp will feature two different tracks, offering the best intensive one-day training for everyone in a music retail business. Registration and refreshments will be from 8:30– 9 a.m. (Lunch will be served at noon.) Retail Boot Camp is free to all NAMM retail members, but you must sign up. Go to namm.org and log in to register.

Track 1: Retail Boot Camp—Sales & Marketing
Jon Schallert, Destination Business Expert

Track 2: Retail Boot Camp—Financial Management
Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe, Friedman, Kannenberg & Co.

Thursday, July 13

BREAKFAST SESSION
8:30– 9:30 A.M.
The Retail Store of the Future
Doug Stephens, founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, interviewed by Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO
Music City Center, Grand Ballroom C (Level 4)
What does the future of retail look like, and how can you make it work for your business? What trends will impact you in the months and years ahead? NAMM welcomes Doug Stephens, founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, to sit down with Joe Lamond for forward-thinking insights you won't hear anywhere else. Free breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis from 8– 8:30 a.m.

10:30 A.M.
5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Video Marketing
Video is an invaluable tool for building your customer base and improving your online visibility, but are you doing everything you can to ensure that your videos are making an impact? Join Dan Abel, director of marketing for Reverb.com and former content partnerships manager at YouTube. In this session, he'll explore five powerful tips to help you grow your video audience and create videos that keep them coming back for more. Discover how to get the most out of every video today.

10:30 A.M.
Recording on the Fast Track
This must-attend session by audio industry guru Craig Anderton of Gibson covers how to make a computer work for you, not against you, during the songwriting and recording process — from lyrics to song structure to a workflow that maximizes the opportunities for inspiration. Find out how to not only get into a creative zone with a computer but also how to stay there.

11 A.M.
Proven Ideas for Effective Instagram Posts
Instagram can open up new customer bases and revenue opportunities — if you use it right. Here, Ryan Carter, social marketing expert and founder of Parachute Media, will reveal Instagram power tips you can use to take your marketing to the next level. He'll break down the anatomy of a successful Instagram post, looking at features you aren't using but should be. He'll also show examples of music retailers who are crushing it on the platform and, as a bonus, discuss how to create effective content with your vendors. A can't-miss session for retailers who want to improve their online marketing.

11 A.M.
The Female Voice — On Stage & in the Studio
So much of the time, effort and joy in the art of sound recording and reinforcement lies in the care and understanding of the female singing voice. In this first-of-its-kind panel, experts in the studio and stage presentation of female singers discuss how they work with singers and audio technology to bring out their best qualities.

11 A.M.
Issues and Advocacy Roundtable: CITES Compliance
NAMM Member Center (Level 3)
Join industry import/export experts for an informal roundtable discussion covering compliance updates and best practices regarding international trade in instruments containing all species of rosewood. Speakers include Christie Carter, owner of Carter Vintage Guitars, Chris Martin, CEO and chairman of C.F. Martin Guitars, and Charlie Redden, Director of Supply Chain of Taylor Guitars. The panel will be moderated by Mary Luehrsen, Director of NAMM Public Affairs and Government Relations.

11:30 A.M.
Tips for Better Website Content
Is your website getting stale? Have you given people a reason to visit your site if they saw it last month? Are you looking for new ideas for website content that impact your bottom line? In this session, Will Mason and Nicole Patton of Mason Music will explore how to craft compelling content that will drive new and returning traffic to your site and your store. Walk away with ideas that will help you build awareness, familiarity and likability with your retail business — and, ultimately, generate more sales.

12 P.M.
The Chuck & Bill Show
Move over "Pensado's Place." There's a new duo that's dishin' in Nashville, and you'd better show up for this session or they're likely to talk about you behind your back! Otherwise, come hear Chuck Ainlay and Bill Gibson talk about everyone else — who's doing what in the studios, and the popular secrets.

12 P.M.
Lesson Program Do's and Don'ts
Lesson programs need constant fine-tuning to stay relevant and successful. During the past 23 years, The Music Room has regularly refined its program to keep up to date with customer trends while also protecting its bottom line. Here, company owner Carol Cook will share her biggest takeaways and hard-earned wisdom from more than two decades of working and reworking her program. Discover essential do's and don'ts for running a successful lesson business and, most of all, how you can apply them to your program. Whether you're a veteran or new to the lessons market, you'll want to be at this session.

12:30 P.M.
Use Facebook as an Effective Sales Tool
Port Mac Guitars has built a Facebook following with nearly 30,000 likes and heavy customer engagement, resulting in increased sales directly from the social platform. In this session, Rob Mestric, company CEO and founder, will reveal how to improve the look and success rate of your Facebook posts. He'll show simple but often-overlooked Facebook strategies and discuss how to use its powerful set of marketing tools. Calling on his own real-world best practices, Mestric will also show what to avoid when creating Facebook posts, so your social marketing consistently resonates with customers.

1 P.M.
Supercharge Your Email Marketing
Disappointed by poor returns from your email marketing? Email still generates the best return on investment of any ad channel in the known universe. In this session, find out how to harness cutting-edge techniques to grow your list, acquire new customers and re-engage existing customers. Join Lumen Foundry CEO and MI industry marketing expert Peter Malick to uncover the six things that will transform your email list into a growth engine for your business.

1 P.M.
Producers and Artists: The Art of the Craft
Representing Nashville's Grammy P&E Wing, Mark Bright, multi-award-winning record producer, songwriter and publishing company executive, and former president and CEO of Word Entertainment, will hold court with a special guest recording artist. They'll have an insightful conversation about the creative process and optimizing the collaboration between the artist and producer.

1:30 P.M.
Innovative Store Design Ideas: Nashville Edition
Discover how some of the best-looking and most successful music stores in Nashville merchandise and design their showrooms — and what you can take away from their examples. Tim Spicer of Spicer's Music moderates this panel discussion with the best of the best in Music City. They'll share their most innovative and effective store design concepts and discuss how they made these ideas a reality. Walk away with new ideas to apply to your store.

2 P.M.
5 Social Media Strategies to Grow Your Business
Social media is constantly evolving. Are you keeping up? In this session, Paul Myatt, director of Forte School of Music, will challenge you to think differently about your social marketing. Here, he'll share his best ideas for targeting customers, social postings, Facebook Groups, Facebook ads and even using your social profile to your advantage. Take your social media strategy to the next level, starting today.

2 P.M.
No Regrets: Preservation Techniques Past, Present & Future
You've spent hours in the studio recording, tracking, overdubbing and finally mastering your latest project or hit single. But now that the heavy lifting is done, what are you doing to ensure the preservation and archival of your all your hard work? This panel brings together leaders in the industry from a number of different disciplines to help guide you and give you practical information on how to save and preserve your most trusted works.

2:30 P.M.
Amp Up Your Business With eBay: Insider Tips and Tools
What does it take to succeed on eBay? How can you better use the platform to grow your business? Find out straight from the source! Join Michael Mosser, general manager of eBay's musical instruments and gear category. In this enlightening half-hour, Mosser will share tips, tools and best practices for running a successful eBay business, drawing from real-world examples you can use.

3 P.M.
Will You Pass the Music Retail Financial IQ Test?
Today, more than ever, it's critical for music retailers and their staff to understand the financial principles of running a profitable music store. Inventory management, intelligent financing, expense monitoring and proactive fiscal decision-making go a lot further than a mere bump in sales. Join Alan Friedman, CPA, for an interactive discussion on what matters for your music store. Find out if you will pass the music retail financial IQ test!

3 P.M.
Sound Check Decisions: Critical Listening
This session examines the role of the sound check and critical listening in making decisions affecting the sound of individual inputs and their contribution to the overall mix.

3:30 P.M.
New Technologies to Grow Your Lesson Program
YouTube, Skype and smartphones have changed the way people learn music. Is your lesson program keeping up? Join Billy Cuthrell of Progressive Music Center, a successful lessons business with 1,100-plus students weekly. He'll show you how he's expanded, modernized and updated his lessons using simple technologies. Discover how you can take advantage of video conferencing, remote learning and online video to cater to students' evolving needs and grow your lesson program.

4 P.M.
Dante Benefits & Applications
Dante is the modern digital standard for connecting sound equipment. This session looks at how digital network interconnections save time, money and keep the mix in the digital domain; transformerless input sharing for multi-console applications; and integrated multi-track recording and playback for Virtual Soundcheck.

4 P.M.
How to Make Your Reverb.com Listings Stand Out
Larry's Music Center has used Reverb.com to expand its customer reach, grow its online presence and boost the bottom line. Do you want new ideas for increasing your business through this online marketplace? Here, Gabriel O'Brien of Larry's Music Center will reveal his best practices for creating a Reverb product listing that stands out. Plus, he'll share tips for making the most of your inventory offerings on Reverb and also look at how to maximize Reverb's tools for music product retailers. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your Reverb presence today.

4:30 P.M.
5 Ways to Differentiate Your Lesson Program
You offer music lessons, but so does the competition. How do you make your lesson program stand out? Join NAMM Top 100 finalist Noel Wentworth of Wentworth Music, and get new ideas to differentiate your lessons. Wentworth, who runs a program with 900-plus students weekly, will share ideas you can implement immediately to set your lessons apart and grow your program. He'll cover everything from innovative student performance opportunities to tips for promoting your lessons. Creating a market niche isn't as difficult as you might think!

5 P.M.
In-ear Monitoring Fundamentals & Safe Sound
In-ear monitors provide many benefits, but there's no guarantee they can save performers' hearing. This discussion with Mark Frink and John Mills examines the physiology of hearing and fundamentals of in-ear monitoring that can help with hearing conservation.

6 P.M.
American Eagle Awards & Dinner
Music City Center, Grand Ballroom C (Level 4)
This year, the NAMM Opening Night Party will feature The American Eagle Awards honoring music legends Patti Smith, Crystal Gayle and Harry Shearer. Enjoy free appetizers, drinks, entertainment and networking with industry peers. To enjoy VIP seating and a plated dinner, purchase VIP online. The American Eagle Awards Dinner is a fundraiser for the National Music Council's Music Education and Creator's Rights Advocacy programs, dedicated to strengthening the importance of music in our life and culture.

Friday, July14

BREAKFAST SESSION
8:30– 9:30 A.M.
The Connected Consumer: Customer Experience
in an Online World
Doug Fleener, Sixth Star Consulting and customer-experience expert
Music City Center, Grand C Ballroom (Level 4)
What does it take to reach today's connected customers? Join Doug Fleener and discover the most common barriers to providing a world-class customer experience and how to avoid them. Free breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis from 8– 8:30 a.m.

10:30 A.M.
7 Steps for Online Marketing Excellence
In this session, Mitch Joel, president of Mirum Agency, will look at why so many companies fail at online marketing and share simple, practical steps to help you create a successful online and social marketing strategy. Discover Joel's simple process, so you can figure out what will work for your business and get started.

10:30 A.M.
5 Ways to Improve Your Control Room for Little or No $$$
Get expert advice from studio designer Carl Tatz on how to do little things in your studio that yield big results. As a bonus, you can download the Null Positioning Ensemble and Axial Mode Calculator and be walked through their operations. It won't cost you a dime and can make a huge improvement in the performance of your control room.

11 A.M.
YouTube Power Tips for Music Retailers
Looking to create more effective YouTube videos? In this session, Mitch Gallagher of Sweetwater will share essential tips and tricks, covering everything from video creation to YouTube channel essentials to helpful hacks. Get best practices straight from a retail leader.

11 A.M.
The Sound of Elvis!
It's the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing, but his legacy still looms as large as ever. This session will visit two of The King's top music men, Tony Brown and David Briggs. They'll share stories about their studio sessions and stage shows, and tell us what it was like to record in that rare moment in space and time.

11:30 A.M.
Website Makeover: What I've Learned
Does your website need a makeover or are you looking for good ideas to update your site? Tracy Leenman of Musical Innovations recently gave her website a successful revamp and will lead a panel of music retailers who've done the same. They'll share their best practices for navigating a website makeover and tips you can use to improve your own site.

12 P.M.
No Filter: Instagram Tips for Connecting with Customers
You don't need to be a professional marketer or photographer to reach customers on Instagram. In this session, Ryan Sargent, social media manager at MakeMusic, and Billy Cuthrell, owner of Progressive Music Center, will show you how to tear down the filters between you and your customers on social media and grow a following on Instagram.

12 P.M.
Vinyl Mastering Panel
Vinyl records are projected to sell 40 million units in 2017, with sales nearing the $1 billion benchmark for the first time this millennium, according to Forbes. In this session, three leading mastering engineers will fill you in on how to ride the vinyl wave with high-fidelity results.

12:30 P.M.
The Biggest Mistakes in Lesson Programs (Updated)
Making just one big mistake can stall an entire lessons program. Pete Gamber will lay out more of the biggest mistakes that impede a lesson program's success. Discover how fixing even one of these mistakes can transform a weak lesson program into a growing one that differentiates you from the competition.

1 P.M.
YouTube Success Strategies for Indies
New research shows that online shoppers buy first and foremost based on trust — not price. So how does an independent music retailer engage online customers in a way that builds trust? One key tactic is YouTube. Join John Fowler of Shoreline Music and walk away with YouTube and online success tips from the trenches.

1 P.M.
Women in Audio Sound Off!
Here we talk with a panel of audio pros that disrupt gender norms. Why have they been successful? What have been their biggest challenges? And what can we as an industry do to encourage more women to join the ranks of audio professionals? This dynamic panel gives insight into these questions and more! Hosted by Electronic Musician magazine and moderated by Laura B. Whitmore of the Women's International Music Network.

1:30 P.M.
Offbeat Store Design: High Impact on a Dime
Few have mastered the art of transforming everyday materials into creative, high-impact store designs like Maxwell's House of Music. Here, Mark Maxwell, the company's head honcho, will look at how to make your store an unforgettable destination. He'll share examples of his most effective, offbeat and eye-catching ideas and proven tips for making the most of your showroom.

2 P.M.
Increase Cash Flow by 25 Percent Starting Next Week
Join sales guru Bob Popyk and financial guru Alan Friedman for this fast-moving session, and walk away with ideas to increase your profits, reduce expenses and generate more sales as soon as you get back to your store.

2 P.M.
Audio Computers: Optimizing Ethernet & Controlling Latency
in the Studio
This discussion will look at pro and project studio options for interfaces and audio over Ethernet. We'll talk about how IT is influencing the direction of recording studios and take a close look at the issue of latency, and how it's affected by plug-ins, virtual instruments and IO.

2:30 P.M.
Proven Promotions to Drive Store Traffic
Join Whitney Brown Grisaffi of Ted Brown Music to find out how she's successfully promoted her store. She'll cover simple, powerful and not-so-obvious ideas for getting people into your store, introducing them to your brand, and making them long-term customers.

3 P.M.
Community-minded Promotions to Grow Your Business
Looking for new business and more sales? Join industry veteran Ernie Lansford and a panel of independent music retail experts, and discover how to grow your business using powerful promotional ideas. Don't miss out on sources of new business and an opportunity to strengthen your bonds with the community.

3 P.M.
Demystifying VR, Immersive Audio & the Future
of Surround Music
Learn about object-based mixing and why it's the future. We'll discuss one mix for your music to rule them all!

3:30 P.M.
Lessons in Loyalty: How to Keep Your Students
Melissa Loggins of Music Authority has built a lesson program that families and students wouldn't think to quit. In this session, she'll show you simple but effective steps she's taken to create a program that's designed for growth, community involvement and retail sales. Find out how to build a lessons brand that people want to be a part of — and stay part of!

4 P.M.
Live Video Power Tips for Musicians & Retailers (Double Session)
Marketing expert Laura B. Whitmore and Mike Molenda of Guitar Player Magazine will show how you can create quality live video content that engages and informs.

4 P.M.
Deconstructing a Hit: Peek Behind the Music Row Curtain
Go behind the scenes into Music Row's hit-making machinery to get the lowdown from two of Nashville's hottest hitmakers, Josh Osborne and Beth Brinker. With a discography that includes a string of No. 1 hits for Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Sam Hunt, John Mellencamp and Miranda Lambert, Grammy award-winning songwriter Josh Osborne has become a staple atop the Country Airplay charts. Beth Brinker serves as creative manager at ASCAP, where she maintains its relationships with several high-profile Nashville songwriters and artists and plays a major role in the ongoing success of monthly ASCAP showcases.

5 P.M.
On the Fly Looping
The solo performer has become a force to be reckoned with in the modern-day live music scene. Limited only by how much gear we can fit in a car, audio artists are being transformed by loopers, multi-effects processors, sampling and live computer applications. In this powerful presentation, one-woman band Tiffany Christopher will show simple yet potent loop techniques — and the innovative use of instruments, vocals and even silence within this do-it-all setting.

6– 8:30 P.M.
NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards
Music City Center, Grand Ballroom C (Level 4)
CMT star Cody Alan will return to the mic to host the Top 100 Dealer Awards, which celebrates the best of the best in music retail. From the Top 100 honorees, seven music retailers will be recognized in "Best Of" categories including: Best Store Turnaround, Best Customer Service, Best Store Design, Best Marketing and Sales Promotion, Best Online Engagement, Best Emerging Dealer/Rookie of the Year, and one recipient will be honored with the Music Makes a Difference award. The Dealer of the Year award will go to one of the recipients in the aforementioned categories. All Summer NAMM badge holders are invited to attend this evening honoring excellence in music retailing. Dinner and refreshments will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, July 15

8:30– 9:30 A.M.
Best in Show
Frank Alkyer, Music Inc. & UpBeat Daily magazines, and Panel
Music City Center, Grand C Ballroom (Level 4)
Find out what you need to see before you leave Nashville at "Best in Show." Join Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, with a panel of music retail experts for this session. They've shopped the show floor to bring you the biggest products, technologies and services. Free breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis from 8– 8:30 a.m.

10:30 A.M.
How to Build an Audience on Instagram
Here, Ryan Carter, social marketing expert and founder of Parachute Media, will show you how to monetize your Instagram and leverage sponsors for new content.

10:30 A.M.
A3E Opening Presentation: Disruptive Technology
for the Traditional Musician
A3E opens the day with a performance to showcase the latest advancements in new technology for production and performance.

11 A.M.
The Future of the Guitar (Double Session)
Guitar Player Magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary with this special session, diving into the big question: What does the future of guitar look like? Featuring Mike Molenda, editor of Guitar Player, and several industry luminaries, this panel will take on that question in full force.

11 A.M.
The Future of Bass Guitar & Drum Technology
Nashville touring musicians have become increasingly challenged to replicate the sounds of contemporary pop on stage. A3E Conference Chair Doug DeAngelis was a pioneer in translating electronic sounds to the arena stage with live players. Join DeAngelis and a panel of special guests for a deep dive into the latest technology offerings for drummers and bass guitarists.

12 P.M.
Musician Marketing: Insider Tips to Grow Your Brand
(Double Session)
Join Jillian Kelleher and industry insiders for this think tank about the importance of growing your career organically and how artists and brands can tap into local markets as a gateway for global exposure.

12 P.M.
The Future Of Production in Nashville: A Masterclass in Contemporary Country
Last year, Kelsea Ballerini's production team packed the A3E chairs for a complete breakdown of the production techniques behind her chart-topping album "The First Time." This year, A3E continues the tradition with a masterclass in contemporary country. Join the production team for a deep dive into how a hit album was made, from songwriting, to programming, to live recording, to final masters.

1 P.M.
Hit Songwriting: Making the Most of Cutting-edge Trends
(Double Session)
Thornton Cline will lead a panel of hit songwriters, artists and producers who will share how they use musical, business and technology trends to succeed in getting their songs cut and licensed for various venues.

1 P.M.
NAMM Music Industry Day Headliner: Charley Pride
NAMM Reverb Stage on the Terrace (Parking Level)
This year's show will welcome a variety of legendary performers, including a special performance from country music pioneer and multi-Grammy award winner, Charley Pride, who is releasing his new album, "Music in My Heart" on July 7. Music Industry Day is open to the public and welcomes music professionals, students, academics and others involved in the creation and production of music to The Summer NAMM Show.

1 P.M.
New Technology Platforms for Musicians: Virtual Reality
and Game Audio
In the internet-era business of music, the most important device to achieve success is one-to-many exposure. This A3E session will focus on two technology-driven platforms that offer tremendous marketing and exposure opportunities to artists who are savvy enough to dive into new waters. Whether you are a band, a singer-songwriter or a DJ, you can utilize virtual reality and gaming to expose your music to a massive global audience through one-to-many incidental exposure.

2 P.M.
The Art of Endorsement Deals (Double Session)
So you want an endorsement deal? Great! In this session, you'll hear directly from experts who will guide you on how and what to prepare, along with what the endorsee and endorser should bring to the table. Jen Lowe, endorsing artist, will lead this interactive Music Industry Day panel discussion with artist relations and industry insiders.

2 P.M.
Exploring the New Sounds of Music City
A3E explores several genres of music, including pop, indie rock and hip-hop, that are emerging in Nashville. If you are a musician looking to learn about the latest tools, applications and technology used to break new ground, this is a session you won't want to miss. Meet like-minded performers and cutting-edge producers who are pushing the envelope to new extremes here in Music City.

3 P.M.
2017 Songwriter Success Summit (Double Session)
Join the Nashville Songwriter Association International (NSAI) for a discussion that covers everything from writing for artists and publishing deals to red flags to watch for in contracts.

3 P.M.
Metadata Masterclass for Musicians and Developers
Metadata guru Chris McMurtry teaches a masterclass on organizing your music data to maximize the earning potential of your music. As a musician, former employee at Apple and the founder of DART, McMurtry is the definitive voice of best practices for your musical data. This masterclass will teach you the latest metadata standards to prepare your music streaming and online sales.

4– 8 P.M.
3rd Annual Summer NAMM Beer & Gear Hang
Vintage King, 2826 Dogwood Place
All Summer NAMM attendees are invited to celebrate audio innovation with a night of festivities, including cold beer, snacks and killer vintage and new gear. Presented by Summer NAMM and Vintage King.

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