ALL DAY REGISTRATION

BONUS SESSION: Speed Dating with the Publishers – Seaport Ballroom

VISIT THE EXHIBITS – Plaza Ballroom

OPENING KEYNOTE: Closing the Gap Between Buyer and Seller – Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, sponsored by Hal Leonard Corporation – Seaport Ballroom 

We know those who are successful in any aspect of the business world realize the importance of

developing a lifelong TRUST-BASED relationship with the customer. The MESSENGER is equally as important as THE MESSAGE. In a day and age where MUSIC-LEARNING and MUSIC-MAKING are being seen as a key to breakthrough learning, we all stand on the threshold of a landscape of opportunity that has never before been witnessed in the educational community. The positive story is worth telling, and the benefits are beyond measure. LET THE MUSIC BEGIN.

LUNCH – Lighthouse

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BREAKOUT SESSION 1:  Crafting Special Events – Sunny Link, Heid Music – Flagship

Special events can be a powerful tool to generate revenue, build loyalty and draw in new customers. Events can be more than music reading sessions. Fund-raisers, pedagogy workshops, immersion days, and guest artist concerts should be part of your special event repertoire. From concept development to market identification to post-event analysis, here’s a blueprint for crafting successful special events

BREAKOUT SESSION 2:  Are You Optimized? – Jack Hamilton, Besearched, Inc. – Constitution Room.

You’ve got your website in place – make sure your customers can find it! Search engine optimization is the process of fine tuning your web site to reflect specific keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business. In order for you to be found relevant by search engines you must have all the key ingredients in place. Join Besearched’s Jack Hamilton as he shows you the secrets of drawing traffic to your website.

BREAKOUT SESSION 3:  TBA

Seaport Ballroom

REPEAT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
                               
BREAKOUT SESSION 1:  Crafting Special Events   –

BREAKOUT SESSION 2:  Are You Optimized? –

BREAKOUT SESSION 3:   TBA –

GENERAL SESSION: “Mom, Where Do Music Books Come From?” The Story of Music Engraving and Printing – Martin Marris, Notecraft, and Dan Del Fiorentino, NAMM –  Seaport Ballroom

Notecraft's Martin Marris tells the story of music book creation since the emergence of printing 500 years ago. The tale is enlivened with numerous video clips filmed under the auspices of the Oral History Project headed by NAMM's Dan del Fiorentino. Come and see a description of the traditional hand engraving process used until recently at G. Henle Verlag, the testimony of modern pioneers in the field such as Stanford University's Leland Smith, and watch a tale of derring-do in wartime Paris as the venerable firm of Alphonse Leduc spirits away its metal typesetting plates with the help of a music-loving German soldier!

OPTIONAL EVENING EVENT – Hosted by Robert King Music Sales/Alphonse Leduc

Buses will depart from the Seaport Hotel by 6 PM for a visit to the nearby town of North Easton, home of Robert King Music Sales. You’ll tour the office facilities, warehouse and picture gallery, and see Mr. King’s original printing press. Mr. and Mrs. King’s daughters will be in attendance for this special event. Tour guests will enjoy dinner at nearby Ames Hall, where they’ll be entertained with a chamber music concert of music published by Alphonse Leduc. Buses should return to the Seaport Hotel by approximately 10 PM.

This complimentary event is open to all RPMDA members. Seating is limited to the first 150 people who RSVP when they send in their convention registration.

BREAKFAST –Lighthouse

BEST IDEAS – Kevin Cranley, Willis Music – Seaport Ballroom

You know that you are always searching for “The Great Idea” that will enthuse your staff, spark sales and give your business a competitive edge. Great ideas that work can set you apart from and help you outsmart your competition. Attend the perennial RPMDA convention favorite “Best Ideas” session and go back to work full of great ideas proven to work by your peers. Why reinvent the wheel? Share your own best idea, and take home the rest.

VISIT THE EXHIBITS – Plaza Ballroom

11:20AM–12:10PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BREAKOUT SESSION 1:  Looking a "Gift Horse" in the Mouth – Carol Wilbur, Pender’s Music, and Marlene Parker, Separk Music – Seaport Ballroom

At a time when competitive advantages and distinct product lines are hard to come by, musical gift items can give your store the WOW factor you need. With the help of two "expert shoppers", Marlene Parker of Separk Music and Carol Wilbur of Pender's Music, learn the ins and outs of determining what gift items will work in your store, how to effectively merchandise them, and why a gift department is good for business. Gift items are a perfect fit with the latest lifestyle merchandising trends, and this dynamic presentation will pique the interest of you and your customers.

BREAKOUT SESSION 2: Company Culture & Success In an Ever Changing Industry – George Hines, George’s Music – Flagship Room

Join high energy MI retailer George Hines of George’s Music as he discusses the impact that your corporate culture has on your business growth and profitability. George will discuss defining your company culture to attract employees, using your company culture to set performance expectations, increasing employee retention and improving your profitability. Your company culture may be the key to your company’s future success in an ever changing and challenging time for our industry.

BREAKOUT SESSION 3:  The Christian Market, Seven Steps to Success – Mark Cabaniss, Shawnee Press and Joe Keith Music Mart, Inc. – Constitution Room

There’s no denying it, the Christian music market has continued to grow over the years while other genres have remained flat or declined. Whether you’re stocking plenty of Christian products or none at all, industry veterans Joe Keith (The Music Mart) and Mark Cabaniss (Shawnee Press) are ready to make a “believer” out of you in expanding your market share in this area. The discussion will cover songbook folios (keyboard, vocal, guitar, etc.) and choral along with marketing tips and more.

LUNCH – Lighthouse

REPEAT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
 
BREAKOUT SESSION 1:  Looking a "Gift Horse" in the Mouth

BREAKOUT SESSION 2:  Corporate Culture

BREAKOUT SESSION 3:  The Christian Market, Seven Steps to Success

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS MEETING – Plaza Ballroom

GENERAL SESSION:  The Apprentice: Boston Edition – Alan Friedman, Friedman, Kannenberg & Co., P.C. and Danny Rocks, The Company Rocks 
– Seaport Ballroom

“You’re fired!” But before you go, tell us everything you know about sales, advertising, promotions, store operations, lesson programs, inventory, cash flow, and the business practices that work (or don’t!) in running of today’s competitive music store. Join our own Donald & Ivanka (a.k.a. Alan Friedman & Danny Rocks) as they reprise their hit NAMM University session along with a hand-picked panel of RPMDA veterans for our own fun-filled “game show” session. Learn insider tips and tricks on the running of a music products retail store, and then decide which panelist is going to be told, “You’re fired!” (Don’t worry, it’s all in fun!)

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – Lighthouse

11:15-11:30AM

BUSINESS MEETING: NEW BUSINESS – Seaport Ballroom

11:30AM-12:30 PM

CLOSING SPEAKER– “How Can the Music Industry Really Communicate with the Teaching Profession?” – Brian Chung, Senior Vice President, Kawai American Corporation. – Seaport Ballroom

A lifelong musician and music lover, Brian Chung is tirelessly devoted to the cause of advancing music participation around the world. Retailers, publishers and manufacturers are in a unique position to help influence the future of music education and outreach by partnering with educators. But how to overcome barriers to trust, and communicate our new ideas? Join Brian Chung for a horizon-expanding view and wideranging examination of our industry’s educational landscape.