At midnight, Gayle Beacock strolled into Renaissance Hotel bar and soaked in the eruption of spontaneous applause that greeted her. She smiled, waved, and hugged, acknowledging that just a few hours earlier she had been named “Dealer of the Year” by NAMM at the top 100 Dealer Awards.
Before accepting the industry’s highest retailer honor, Beacock had won the award for Best Store Exterior. So as she took the last award given at the ceremony earlier that evening, she blurted, “I really love winning!” It garnered a big laugh. “Everything you do contributes to that overall goal, and the good things you do toward that goal create more good things. For us, that’s really what drives us.” She then added that it’s about trying “to have a vibrant music store.”
It was standing-room-only as hundreds turned out for the award show. Vince Gill served as Emcee and he and his band supplied the live music that kept the ceremony moving at a quick pace.
Tom Schmitt of Schmitt Music took home the trophy for Best Marketing and Sales Promotions. “Quality music education for every child is what it’s all about,” he declared. “It’s all about the children.”
Doug John of Legend Music received the Best Emerging Music Dealer award, and referenced that this is his second career, having “retired” from his company Delta Rubber to open the two MI stores. “Our customers made this happen,” he said waving the award, adding: “And in just two and a half years, I’ve made more friends in this business than the 46 years at work before!”
Other big honorees include Matt’s Music Center (Best Merchandising Display); Vintage King Audio (Best Online Presentation); George’s Music (Best Special Event Locations); and Avalon School and Music, who were recently featured in MMR and took home the “Music Makes a Difference” Award.
The top 100 Dealer Honorees can be found at namm.org/summer/2013/top-dealer.
