Who Is NARM?

Key offerings are:

• Networking:  Make new contacts, exchange ideas and reach a targeted audience of entertainment retailing professionals through organized conventions, conferences and member forums.
  • Annual Convention
    • The annual NARM convention is an exclusive event where all of the industry players come together to make business deals, hear live music, get the latest research, see the most up-to-date technology, showcase new product lines, hammer out solutions to industry issues, and network, network, network in order to find new business partners.
    • Nowhere else at any other time of the year will sponsors find buyers from the 20 largest music/entertainment retailers and the suppliers from the five largest music companies together -- many times in one room.
    • Discover new partners, technologies, trade practives and talent.
  • Industry Summits:  Join an exclusive group of industry professional in focused discussions on issues facing the industry and possible solutions to meet them.
  • Workgroups:  Participate in standing committees, issue forums and advisory councils that help guide and accomplish the work of the Association. They also serve as key opportunities for networking and problem-solving.
  • Global Entertainment Retailers Alliance (GERA):  Collaborate internationally via GERA to facilitate anti-piracy efforts and discussions on the digital distribution of music and video.
  • Online Community:  Benefit from NARM's content-rich Web site, an important resource for all informaiton on association activities, services and late-breaking industry news. The online Membership Directory lets you search and update comprehensive member company information and communicate with potential trading partners. The Employment Center allows users to announce available positions or post resumes, and search for that new job or new employee.
     
     
• Advocacy:  NARM advocates on your behalf within the industry, to the government and before the public by tackling the emerging challenges of digital distribution, marketplace competition and censorship.
  • Digital Distribution:  Add your voice to NARM's fight to protect the rights of retailers, wholesalers, artists and consumers in the marketplace.
  • Freedom of Speech:  Help lobby state and federal government on First Amendment legislation.
  • Parental Advisory:  Inform consumers about explicit content with this voluntary labeling program that serves as the best defense against government regulation and censorship.
     
     
• Information:  Tap into NARM-commissioned research to enhance your business plan. Gain direct access to research that summarizes consumer studies, develops business data and trend analyses, and communicates news.
  • Distributor Database:  Save time and money through reduced labor, fewer errors and more timely information with NARM's Distributor Database. The database provides a centralized location for distributors to upload their catalogs to the NARM Web site. Retailers and buyers can then download this catalog information whenever it's needed. 
  • Operations Manual:  Communicate effectively with the NARM/VSDA Operation Manual, which outlines a set of standardized forms and computer formats aimed at promoting techniques, technologies and standards that facilitate more efficient communications among retailers, distributors and manufacturers.
  • Research:  Get the power of knowledge. NARM collects and commissions research for members, media, and the industry at large. The monthly "Research Briefs" excerpts reports, studies and analyses of leading research organizations. Commissioned research reports from respected firms as well as custom projects addressing timely industry issues are also available.
  • News Bits:  Stay ahead of industry issues, features and events with NARM's electronic newsletter.
  • Business Viability:  Apply for discount rates on American Express, MasterCard and VISA. Enjoy reduced electric and natural gas utility rates negotiated by the Energy Buyer Program. Provide you and your employees with beneficial insurance programs and retirements plans.
     
     
• Education:  Stay on top of your game, and encourage and train future industry leaders.
  • Distance Learning:  Convene with top industry leaders and researchers via Internet conferencing. Regularly scheduled online seminars examine best business practices and emerging trends.
  • Scholarship Foundation:  Make the most of NARM scholarships, which are available to NARM member companies, employees or their children.
  • Educational Outreach:  Avail yourself of trained employees or make yourself available to potential employers through the Educational Outreach Program.
     
     
• Promotion:  Join marketwide promotional efforts designed to boost sales and advance industry health.
  • CD Samplers:  Encourage consumers to experiement with niche genres of music with "Billboard" chart-topping CD samplers produced by the NARM Classical/Jazz Issue Forum.
  • NARMart:  Showcase your products to NARM's influential membership va our newest Internet tool. NARMart allows vendors to upload product information, images and audio and video files so that visitors to the marketplace can view or sample products offered.
  • Merchandising:  Deploy promotional point-of-purchase campaigns that capitalize on the television broadcasts of major music award shows.

NARM is a member of the National Music Council. The National Music Council was founded in 1940 to provide a forum for the discussion of this country's national music affiars, to act as a clearing house for the joint opinion and decisions of its members, and to work as a force to stengthen the importance of music in our society and culture. Operating under a charter from Congress in 1956, the Council has a membership of some fifty national music organizations, encompassing every form of professional and commercial music activity.

NARM is also a member of the Media Coalition. The Media Coalition, founded in 1973, is an association that defends the First Amendment right to produce and sell books, magazines, movies, recordings, videotapes and video games, and defends the American public's First Amendment right to have access to the broadest possible range of opinion and entertainment.