RPMDA 2022 – Deep in the Heart of Print

The Board of Directors of The Retail Print Music Dealers Association (RPMDA) is hard at work, planning the organization’s 2022 Convention, to be held April 21^st– 23^rd at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin, TX. While many in the Music Industry attend conventions throughout the year, RPMDA is “not your typical kind of convention.” Whether we attend as vendors or buyers, we are accustomed to exhibits, speakers, breakouts, and other activities – but do these activities really answer your questions and address the issues relevant to your business? RPMDA, on the other hand, is all about communication, relationships, and growing businesses. The Board has structured the program to be a combination of educational seminars and one-on-one engagement to ensure you have the tools you need to move your business forward. It doesn’t matter if you have a huge print department, or you sell only a few method books; if you have any amount of print music in your store, RPMDA can help you grow your business.

The RPMDA Convention is unique in that it provides a setting that encourages product knowledge, networking, and camaraderie among publishers, retailers and others in the music industry to discuss the important issues facing music retailers today. As the organization’s website (printmusic.org) states, “RPMDA is a group like no other when it comes to idea sharing and the nurturing of lifelong business and personal relationships. Our members consider this organization to be a ‘second family,’ a constant support for nearly all of their business needs, and one of the best investments they could ever make.”

Two unique features of the RPMDA Convention are the “Power Hour,” and the ensuing “Spark.” Power Hour gives retailers and publishers a guaranteed time for one-on-one interaction, in a setting that attendees agree is “much improved over the traditional booth/exhibit experience. It’s great to have one on one conversations.” From the publisher standpoint, this format “allows us to introduce ourselves to those who haven’t heard about us yet . . . I like that I can chat with nearly all attendees.” From the retailers’ standpoint, members have stated, “I find this to be very effective, the vendors are so informative on their products and we got some great ideas. This is so much more effective for building relationships.” The “Spark” time following each Power Hour allows individual attendees to explore further, ask additional questions, and build stronger relationships with the publishers of their choice.

Of course, the convention will also include guest speakers, breakout sessions and entertaining social events, all in a setting that complies with all local and national safety guidelines. While the program is still being finalized, plans are being made for sessions featuring Industry experts including Larry Morton (Hal Leonard) and Randy Faber (Piano Adventures). Social events planned include a tour of the legendary Austin City Limits TV studio; and a boat cruise down the Colorado River at sunset, featuring a view of the world’s largest urban bat colony. At certain times of the season, one can see 1.5 million bats flying into the summer sky.

The Hyatt Regency is centrally located in Austin.  The hotel features an outdoor pool, spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. RPMDA has negotiated exceptionally reasonable rates for our stay, so please plan to bring your family and enjoy all that Austin has to offer! Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and is the perfect setting to reconnect with your Industry family, while enjoying this amazing town.

Plans are also being made for the 2023 RPMDA Convention to be held in February 2023 in New Orleans, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, located next to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Just a short walk from the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, this 4-star hotel will also offer special RPMDA rates, so that families can take a break from winter, and enjoy the warmth and excitement of New Orleans

RPMDA is a group of music retailers, publishers and others, committed to “providing a common meeting ground for the interchange of ideas among dealers, to promote ethical standards and policies in dealing with music publishers, and to promote better and more meaningful dealer-publisher relations.” Its first convention was held in 1976, and the group has been a strong voice in the music industry ever since. The RPMDA Board is comprised of David Jahnke of Hal Leonard (President), Mike Watson of Remenyi Music (VP/Convention), Ron Manus of Alfred Music (VP/Secretary-Treasurer), Don Langlie of Poppler’s Music (Past President); and Karl Kjos of Neil A. Kjos Music Company and Tracy Leenman of Musical Innovations, Members-at-Large.

For more information about RPMDA or to register for the 2022 Convention, please go to www.RPMDA.org or to the RPMDA Facebook page.