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Ron Manus (left) and members of his band Sassafras entertained RPMDA members at Alfred Music Publishing's anniversary bash Thursday night at its offices in Van Nuys (photo by Zach Phillips, Music, Inc.)

 

The 2012 RPMDA Convention in Los Angeles, California, attracted over 230 attendees, including 47 exhibitors and over 30 first-time attendees. Members were treated to a gala evening out by Alfred Music Publishing and CEO Ron Manus, celebrating not only the company's 90th anniversary but also Morty and Iris Manus's wedding anniversary. After a tour of the offices, guests entered a huge carpeted and furnished tent for a buffet dinner and music by Lisa Loeb and other special guests.

  
Educational sessions were stronger than ever for 2012. In an RPMDA exclusive, Chip Averwater of Amro Music shared practical wisdom from his new book, Retail Truths. (Buy this book!) The mood was upbeat as members and guest speakers addressed the challenges of today's marketplace, sharing ideas about new technologies, print product, marketing, staff training, merchandising strategies and more. Kelly Flint from Constant Contact demonstrated the value of Twitter as part of a comprehensive social media marketing campaign, and during a track of sessions of special interest to piano dealers hosted by 2012 RPMDA sponsoring partner organization, the National Piano Foundation, James Harding of Gist Piano Center described how he revolutionized the relationships among retailers, teacher and students and their families with his "Partners in Education" program.
Bill and Maureen Stonier
2012 Dorothy Award honoree
Bill Stonier and his wife Maureen

A highlight of every convention is the announcement of the Dorothy Award, given for a lifetime of service and achievement in the music industry at the closing dinner, which had a Hollywood theme this year. It is the highest honor bestowed by RPMDA. The 2012 honoree is Bill Stonier of Northwest Music Services, Vancouver, Canada. Bill began his long and distinguished career as a professional saxophonist, and parlayed his love of music and passion for education into a second act as an innovative retailer. In presenting the award to Bill, who was unable to accept the award in person, last year's honoree Danny Rocks noted that Stonier was RPMDA's first international Dorothy winner, and invited the audience to watch clips from Bill's NAMM Oral History Project interview on the big screen in the ballroom, thanks to support from 2012 RPMDA underwriting sponsor NAMM, the International Music Products Association.
2012 President's Choice Award
Mick Faulhaber received the 2012 President's Choice Award from Gayle Beacock

 
Tristann Rieck of Brass Bell Music in Glendale, WI, received the 2012 Sandy Feldstein Service Award for her ongoing volunteer service on behalf of RPMDA, and joins the board for 2012-2013. RPMDA outgoing president Gayle Beacock of Beacock Music in Vancouver, Washington, presented long-time member Mick Faulhaber of Ward-Brodt Music in Madison, WI (Go, Badgers!) with the John Walters "President's Choice" Award for his friendship, encouragement and longtime mentorship.


Elisa Palladino Don Eubanks award
Elisa Palladino of Alfred Music Publishing accepts the Don Eubanks Publisher Representative Award (photo by Zach Phillips, Music, Inc.)

The Don Eubanks Publisher Representative Award was presented on behalf of RPMDA's dealer members to Elisa Palladino of Alfred Music Publishing for her consistent and exemplary service to her customers. In accepting the honor, Elisa acknowledged her mentor at Alfred, the late Gwen Bailey-Harbour, who was given an emotional and heartfelt tribute during the closing banquet. RPMDA also relaunched its annual "Best Ideas" session prize as "The Gwenny" in her memory this year.
 
In her closing remarks, new RPMDA president Carol Wilbur of Pender's Music in Denton, TX, encouraged members to stay involved and inspired throughout the year, and put what they learned at this year's convention to work when they returned to their businesses. Stay tuned for more news about the 2013 RPMDA Convention, May 1st-4th, in Columbus, Ohio.

 

For more information about RPMDA, go to www.printmusic.org.

2012 RPMDA Convention