NARM | 2008 50th Anniversary Convention

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In September 1958, the National Record Merchandising Association held its first meeting. The Board began by changing the name to the National Association of Record Merchandisers. The Association had 15 charter members that represented more than $15 million in record sales and served over 6,000 retail outlets.

Over the past 50 years, the annual NARM Convention has become an exclusive event where the industry’s key players come together to make 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, meet and network in order to find new business partners. Nowhere else at any other time of the year will you find CEOs, buyers and sales and marketing professionals from all of the largest music and entertainment retailers, along with suppliers from the four largest music companies and the most influential indies together… many times in one room.

Over the years, superstars in the making such as Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Mariah Carey, N*Sync, Josh Groban, and Lisa Marie Presley — among many others — made their industry debuts at NARM. The CD was introduced at NARM in the early 1980s and various other new formats and enhancements followed suit, including new opportunities in entertainment retailing through in-store downloading, kiosks and CD burning, as well as the DualDisc.

Today, our retail members operate 7,000 storefronts that account for almost 85% of the music sold in the U.S. market. Our supplier members represent almost 90% of the music produced for the U.S. marketplace.

Late Breaking News

Rhino Confirms Welcome Reception Sponsorship If you thought the Rhino threw one heck of a party at the Welcome Reception last year, just wait until 2008 as Rhino turns 30! Rhino has confirmed that they will share their anniversary celebration with NARM attendees by once again sponsoring NARM’s Welcome Reception to be held on Sunday, May 4. Congrats Rhino, and thanks for your continued support. Stay tuned for more details.

UMGD To Present Sixth Consecutive Product Presentation NARM is pleased to announce the addition of the always-popular Product Presentation by Universal Music Group Distribution to the schedule for NARM’s 2008 Convention. For the past five years, Universal’s Product Presentation has been one of the most highly rated and well-attended programs of the Convention and we are sure this year will be no different. Past entertainment has included Tears For Fears, Styx, Ne-Yo, Taylor Swift, 50 Cent, Hinder, Fiest, James Hunter, Jack Johnson, and Peter Frampton, among others. Thanks UMGD!