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Sunday, April 29   |   Monday, April 30   |   Tuesday, May 1   |   Wednesday, May 2  
  

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Sunday, April 29
Sunday began with a flood at the registration desk.  Groups began forming impromptu meetings in the Hilton's many sitting area, old friends caught up in the hallways, and excitement grew for the programming that was scheduled for the next few days.

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Speed Dating: One-On-One Meeting Opportunities
An overwhelming number of companies participated in this year's One-On-One Meetings. These pre-scheduled 10-minute meetings allow participants to discover new business contacts and get focused time with current trading partners. Many have called these sessions the most efficient and productive meetings of the Convention.

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Welcome Reception

Rhino Entertainment helped to kick this party off right with a cocktail and a chance to catch up with friends and associates to toast another memorable year. The Guitar Hero feature attracted many gamers. In true Rhino fashion, the room was elbow-to-elbow with attendees.

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Lakeside Lounge

A new, laid-back spin on Club NARM, the Lakeside Lounge offered a Jazz club feel with a line-up of fresh faces that massaged the soul.

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Sophie Milman,
Koch Entertainment/Linus Entertainment

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Christian Scott, Concord Records

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Terisa Griffin,
My Naked Soul Productions

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Monday, April 30
Opening Session & Annual Meeting
Following a breakfast buffet sponsored by WEA Corp., the business of the Convention began in earnest. NARM President Jim Donio provided the Association update, reaffirming NARM's mission, and NARM Board Chairman Sue Peterson, Target Stores, announced the slate of officers for the 2007-2008 Board term. Donio presented the NARM Presidential Award For Sustained Executive Achievement to Soul Train's Don Cornelius. WBR's Peter Cincotti entertained the audience before Billboard Magazine's Scott McKenzie led a panel of label executives in a discussion centering around the state of music industry.

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Jim Donio and Don Cornelius

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Peter Cincotti

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Keynote Panel Discussion: State Of The Industry ...
The Record Labels' Perspective

 
NPD Research Presentation

This in-depth research presentation provided detailed results from focus groups and survey studies commissioned by NARM. Download the following PDF to find out not only how and where consumers discover music, but also what motivates them to ultimately purchase the product and in what format.

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Nielsen SoundScan Overview

Nielsen's Rob Sisco and Chris Muratore returned this year to provide a year-over-year comparison and analysis of the U.S. music and entertainment market. They pointed to key trends regarding physical and digital product in the U.S. market, and took a look at digital purchases on an international scale. Click here to download the PDF version of the presentation.

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Alliance Entertainment's WEB AMI Interactive Presentation

Indie retailers were invited to a special demonstrate of Alliance's WEB AMI Interactive B2B resource.

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Best Practices: Making The Most Of Your E-mail Lists

"E-mail Diva," Melinda Krueger, demonstrated how savvy music retailers are developing their direct-response programs and gave pointers how to best grow your e-mail lists and reach your customers.

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Scholarship Foundation Dinner Cruise

Attendees relaxed aboard the cruise ship Odyssey for a evening honoring the Scholarship Foundation Class Of 2007 and the Foundation's generous donors. Sponsored by Sony BMG Music Entertainment, those aboard enjoyed breath-taking views of the Chicago skyline while listening to Sony BMG DJs. For photos and bios of the Class of 2007 recipients, click here.

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Club NARM: Rocket Science Showcase

Rocket Science took their show outside the hotel to the famous Buddy Guy's Legends. Co-sponsored by JetBlue, the showcase featured new independent artists and plenty of prizes, flight giveaways, and more.

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Anthony Gomes

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Poets & Pornstars

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Point One

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Wes Borland and Black Light Burns


Tuesday, May 1
 
Universal Music Group Distribution Product Presentation

Following a breakfast buffet sponsored by WEA Corp., Universal Music Group Distribution took the stage. And, in true UMGD fashion, this was one event not to miss. With six live performances and electrifying video, attendees were still buzzing about it long into the evening.

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Taylor Swift

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Feist

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Jon McLaughlin

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Kurt Elling

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Mya

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Matt White

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Ben Jellen


  


 

 
Digital NARM

Day 1 of Digital NARM offered attendees forecasts for digital entertainment sales from leading research firms, discussions of the economic realities of using advertising in as digital environment, tips to build strategic relationships that will enable physical retailers to profit from digital delivery, a glimpse into the mobile marketplace, and an introduction of the latest products to hit the digital arena.

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Rick Rogers, The Gary Group

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Russ Crupnick, The NPD Group

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Chris Gorog, Napster

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Jennifer Schaidler, Best Buy

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Mobile Marketing Panel

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Christina Calio, Zune

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"The Experience:" Artist Interview With Chaka Khan

An interview between Chicago music guru, Dedry Jones, and Burgundy Records's Chaka Khan provided the audience with an in-depth look into Khan's life and latest releases. Sponsored by Sony BMG, Khan performed before an audience of NARM attendees as well as 350 fans from the Chicago area.

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Astonish Entertainment Club NARM Showcase with Ketel One

Attendees went back to Buddy Guy's Legends for the second night of Club NARM.  Astonish Entertainment showcased their hottest talent while Ketel One offered complimentary cocktails all night.

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Aranda

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Dirt Poor Robins

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No More Kings

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SOULAR

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David Martin


Wednesday, May 2

Digital NARM
Day 2 of Digital NARM kicked off with  breakfast buffet sponsored by WEA Corp. The day progressed with an interview of Thomas "Dolby" Robertson, a digital strategy presentation from each of the major music companies and a panel discussion from the indie community. A best practices for reaching mobile customers concluded the programming.

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Rocket Science's Kevin Day and Thomas Dolby

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Thomas Hesse, Sony BMG Music Entertainment

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Amanda Marks, Universal Music Group

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Michael Nash, WEA Corp.

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Barney Wragg, EMI Music Marketing

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Steve Smith,
MediaPost and Media Industry Newsletter

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Kevin Arnold, IODA

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Matt Laszuk, IRIS Distribution

 
Red Carpet Reception
We got the party started early for NARM's culminating event, the Awards Dinner Finale. Sponsored by EMI Music Marketing, the red carpet included the the winning entries of  NARM's Advertising & Marketing Awards, as well as the Scholarship Foundation raffle.

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Awards Dinner Finale

The party continued with the Awards Dinner Finale. Emceed by NARM President Jim Donio and Hickory Records's Elliott Yamin the evening kicked off with the announcement of the winners of NARM's Advertising & Marketing Awards. After a brief performance, American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin, introduced the evening's second act, Rodrigo y Gabriela. The fast-fingered guitar duo had the audience mesmerized. NARM Chairman Sue Peterson presented the legendary Rock band Chicago with the Chairman's Award For Sustained Creative Achievement. Winners of NARM's coveted Merchandiser & Supplier Of The Year Awards were named.

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Elliott Yamin

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Rodrigo

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Gabriela

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Chicago

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Martina McBride

 

 

  

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