Update from NAMM President Joe Lamond and Upcoming NAMM Webinars

Today, NAMM released a statement from president Joe Lamond on the state of the industry and NAMM's developments regarding the COVID crisis. The state reads as follows:

Hello everyone,
 
It seems to me that May is bringing a new chapter to the pandemic story—perhaps the tide is turning. Governments here in the U.S. and around the world are announcing plans for reopening large parts of their economies, outlining the various stages and conditions that will need to be met to open further. Here in California, our governor has presented a four-stage plan with some businesses possibly opening within weeks. This is all good news, but getting it right will likely determine what the eventual recovery looks like.
 
Reopening Our Economies
Reopening the global economy presents many challenges, and NAMM is working with elected officials, policy makers along with following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other organizations to help our members make the best decisions going forward. 

We will begin a series of webinars starting with next week’s Small Business Update: Key Issues to Consider as You Reopen for Business, on Wednesday, May 6. Hosted by NAMM Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Mary Luehrsen with special guest Jason Straczewski, Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs, National Retail Federation, this session will outline key issues to consider as NAMM retailers seek to reopen operations.

On Thursday, May 7, the series will continue with COVID Retail Recovery: How to Reopen for Business. Following up on his popular NAMM U webinar, Bob Phibbs (aka, The Retail Doctor) returns for an online session about reopening a music retail business in the new normal. He’ll look at what you need to plan for, rethink and buy to reopen your doors.

Instrument Cleaning Guidelines
Enhanced instrument cleaning and understanding the evolving back to school music education protocols will be critical to our industry’s reopening process. Earlier this week, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and The NAMM Foundation recommended the following guidelines for handling musical instruments during the COVID-19 school shutdown period and to prepare for fall.

Financial Relief
Recognizing the financial hardship that our industry is facing and seeking to support our members has been the primary focus of our government relations efforts. With the additional funding made available to U.S. small businesses this past week under the CARES Act, our webinars on navigating the application process and understanding the changing rules and regulations are here to guide you. Aid programs in other member countries have been collected and posted here, please check regularly and update us on anything new from your area.
 
NAMM U Education
NAMM U continued its online education series with today’s session "House of Worship Streaming and Production," which had over 500 registrants. Recorded webinars, including our "Timeless Selling" series with Marcus Sheridan, and all upcoming sessions are available on namm.org. Please share these links with anyone who you think might benefit.
 
Music Is More Important Than Ever
This has been an incredible six weeks for our industry and the world. Yet in the midst of loss and uncertainty, the one thing that every society has seemed to agree on is the importance of music in uniting us. NAMM members in over 100 countries have their own examples of impact, and through the stories you’ve shared with us, we feel closer to all of you than ever.

I personally can’t wait until we are able to be together again to celebrate our thriving and robust industry. We will be changed by our experiences for sure, but the passion for music and camaraderie with our industry peers will be stronger than ever.  

NAMM is also continuing their series of free webinars. Scheduled events are listed below:

Virtual Choir 6: Sing Gently a Conversation With Eric Whitacre
Tuesday, May 5
12 pm PT
Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation Mary Luehrsen talks with Whitacre about his creative process and how to get involved.

Register now.