Wholesalers Conference
Indies, One Stops And Racks To
Convene October 20-25
The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM)
has announced that its 1995 Wholesalers Conference will return to the Arizona Biltmore in
Phoenix from Friday, October 20 through Wednesday, October 25.
"The Wholesalers Conference is the most effective and
efficient face-to-face meeting opportunity of the year for many NARM members," says
NARM Executive VP Pam Horovitz.
Independents Conference
Leading independent distributors and labels will gather
from Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22. The highlight of the Independent Conference
will be the presentation of the Indie Best Seller Awards at a banquet on Saturday evening.
The emcee will be Chris Morris, who writes the weekly "Declarations of
Independents" column in Billboard. At press time, entertainment for the
banquet was not confirmed.
One Stops /Rack Jobbers Conference
A combined One Stops/Rack Jobbers Conference will take
place for the first time from Sunday, October 22 to Wednesday, October 25. On Sunday
afternoon, both groups will meet separately, and then together, with professional meeting
facilitator George Cappannelli.
"The primary goal of these meetings is to assist the
participants in examining the critical issues that are confronting each of their industry
segments, and then to explore those areas where there is commonality in hopes of creating
suitable courses of action," notes Horovitz.
Cappannelli is the president of The Information &
Training Company, an organization specializing in the delivery of innovative strategic
planning and consulting services and unique skills enhancement programs. I&TC combines
live seminars with the innovative use of interactive computer and audio and video support
programs. His clients include a number of Fortune 500 companies, as well as government
agencies and national associations.
On Sunday evening following dinner, D. Bruce
Merrifield, Jr. of The Merrifield Consulting Group will present "Strategic Steps To
Success In Exponentially Changing Times." He will discuss what we should be doing in
a consolidating industry that has the tidal wave of electronic publishing and digital
distribution on the horizon. The presentation will offer a five step strategic road map
for thriving both short-term and long-term when an entirely different business model may
well be overwhelming the traditional ways of going to market.
"If we aren't thinking deeply, broadly and differently
about how the future will be, then we won t have one," says Merrifield. He will offer
both big picture wisdom and how-to prescriptions for immediate implementation.
Merrifield started his management consulting and business
speaking practice in 1980. Since then he has given more than 1,200 presentations for over
100 trade associations and many of the United States largest corporations. He is also a
part-time chairman and significant shareholder of a West Coast distribution firm which has
165 employees, nine locations and 1994 sales of $49 million. He bought the business in
1993, turned it around and continues to learn operational lessons from it.
From 1974 to 1980, Merrifield worked for a
growth-by-acquisition chain of distribution companies. During this time, he was involved
in five acquisition turnarounds and became chief operating officer of the firm.
Monday will be a full day of one-on-one meetings with music
suppliers. A dinner program will feature a mid-year message from NARM's 1995-96 President
Ann Lieff, Spec's Music, and a panel discussion with the presidents of the six branch
distribution companies.
Tuesday's agenda includes another round of one- on-ones and
a reception. The rack community stays on for Wednesday's one-on-one meetings with video
suppliers.
The Arizona Biltmore is a 1929 classic resort whose
collaborating architect was Frank Lloyd Wright. Fifteen minutes from downtown Phoenix,
Scottsdale and Sky Harbor International Airport, it has two PGA-rated championship golf
courses, eight lighted tennis courts, five restaurants and lounges, a state-of-the-art
Health & Fitness Center, three swimming pools, and miles of jogging paths.
Registration packets for the Wholesalers Conference were
mailed August 18. Registration closes September 29. If you did not receive a packet,
please call NARM at (609) 596-2221.
