This year Summer NAMM returns to Austin, where musicians, instrument makers, hardware manufacturers, software developers, music store employees, and other audio gearheads will gather for three days to see and learn about the latest products for musicians. Along the way, there will be lots of schmoozing, ranging from press conferences, sales pitches, and casual conversations to dinners, parties, and artist performances.

SoniVox DVI Series
SoniVox has just announced the release of its new DVI (downloadable virtual instruments) series, featuring a large selection of affordably priced instruments and instrument collections you can download directly from www.sonivoxmi.com. Designed for instant gratification and ease of use, DVIs were developed in collaboration with the Tascam Giga development team, melding SoniVox's instrument content with Tascam's GVI sample-playback technology. As a result of this partnership, each DVI product is downloadable and instantly playable as a plug-in or standalone instrument. The initial DVI rollout includes steel-string and nylon-string acoustic guitars, electric guitars, drum kits, basses, harpsichord, electric pianos, vintage synths, string ensembles, brass ensembles, harp, bagpipes, and more, all affordably priced from $11.95 to $79.95 and available now. All DVI products are Windows compatible and support RTAS and VSTi plug-in formats, with Mac compatibility expected in autumn.

SKB 1x12 Combo Amp Utility Vehicle
Instrument protection and transport specialist SKB Corporation has expanded its amp-case protection with the addition of the new SKB-R112 AUV 1x12 Combo Amp Utility Vehicle. The new model offers the same protection and convenience as SKB's larger SKB-710, 2x12 AUV. Rotationally molded for strength and durability, the case has 3-inch locking casters and holds amps in place using a rugged rolling hook-and-loop board with SKB's patented corner cleat system and a secure reverse-cinch belt. When on stage, the locking caster board sits securely on top of the cover to boost your amplifier for convenience and better sound projection. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, the SKB-R112 AUV Combo Amp Utility Vehicle has an MSRP of $469.99 and an expected street price of $279.99.
www.skbcases.com

Moog Little Phatty Editor Librarian
This stand-alone computer software (Mac and PC) is compatible with Moog's Little Phatty and allows users to organize and create presets for both the Little Phatty Tribute and Stage Editions. Through a MIDI connection from the Little Phatty to a computer, this program can receive and replace single presets or an entire bank of presets. Once the presets are transmitted to the Little Phatty Editor Librarian, all preset parameters can be displayed in a graphical user interface, including edit functions like Pot Mapping and Filter Poles. The presets can easily be uploaded and downloaded between the synth and a computer. With the Little Phatty Editor Librarian, users can also play the Little Phatty remotely from a computer keyboard. A Little Phatty operating system update function is also incorporated. The Little Phatty Editor Librarian costs $69 and is available at www.moogmusic.com.

NAMM University
Mark your calendars with tomorrow's (Friday, July 27) university sessions:
8 a.m., State of the Industry Address, Hilton Austin, Governor's Ballroom A-E
The annual State of the Industry Address features NAMM President/CEO Joe Lamond and special guests in a discussion about the current climate of the industry, as well as upcoming trends, challenges and opportunities.

10:30 a.m., The ABC's of the Cost of Doing Business Survey
Everyone knows that participation in the annual "Cost of Doing Business (CODB) Survey" is free, easy, totally confidential and the single most important thing you can do to create a meaningful benchmark to measure the financial success of your store. But how do you read the survey report and interpret its data? And what do you do if you're not meeting the financial "norms" of the music retailing industry? Join Alan Friedman, a CPA with several music dealer clients and a keen financial insight in music retailing, for an explanation of the vital info found in the "Cost of Doing Business Survey."

11:00 a.m., How to Find Customers Your Competition Doesn't Know Exist
No more "slow days"! Marketing specialist Bob Popyk offers easy-to-use tips for getting more customers to walk through your doors without having to increase your advertising budget. Learn how to teach your sales staff to become "proactive" rather than "reactive." You'll leave this session with ideas your salespeople can implement on their own to get store traffic going, without relying on dealer promotions or store advertising.

11:30 a.m., How to Increase Your Business by 25 Percent -- Starting Next Week!
Learn some easy ways to increase your business without drastically cutting prices or spending a fortune on advertising. This session presents a game plan to add more profit dollars to your bottom line right away.

Noon, Differentiate or Disappear
Why should I buy from you? What makes you different...better? If you don't answer these questions succinctly in your sales conversations and marketing materials, the only thing the prospect will consider is price. Whether you're a retailer, a manufacturer or a rep, this program will open your eyes to what buyers really want (and it's not just price). You'll learn how to position your business, your products and your services so your target customer thinks of you first when it's time to buy. And when it's time to buy accessories or upgrade, you'll be the only seller they would even think about buying from! Presented by the author of STAND OUT!, this program will help you establish yourself as a valuable, trusted source, not just another name in a sea of options.

1 p.m., How to Get 500,000 Hours of Labor for Free (Panel Discussion) (Part I)
Join representatives of the vendor and retailer segments in this innovative panel discussion. Panelists will talk about how supplier and retailer partnerships can advance communications and streamline the effectiveness of the fulfillment process to assure you savings in both time and money!

1:30 p.m., How to Get 500,000 Hours of Labor for Free (Panel Discussion) (Part II)
Join representatives of the vendor and retailer segments in this innovative panel discussion. Panelists will talk about how supplier and retailer partnerships can advance communications and streamline the effectiveness of the fulfillment process to assure you savings in both time and money!

2 p.m., The Customer Whisperer
When a customer visits your store, someone is going to be the leader -- and it had better be you. Join retail veteran Greg Billings as he demonstrates how gently, but firmly, taking control of the selling situation leads to happy customers, greater revenue and lots of referrals.

2:30 p.m., Your Web Site. Your Sales Staff. Team Them up for Higher Profits
Pianos, band instruments, organs, drum sets, high-end guitars, rentals. How can you increase sales of these items? Have your sales staff use your Web site to increase store traffic, qualify prospects, improve follow-up and close sales. We'll show you today's latest Web site features, promotions and training that can help transform your sales team into a marketing powerhouse. A must-attend session for sales staff, managers and owners.

3 p.m., Work Smarter, Not Harder...Selling is Easy When You Know How (Part I)
Gene Fresco (pro music rep for 37 years) knows 137 sales closes; he will give you five that will increase your sales. He will teach you the AIDA formula of selling. You will learn the eight P's of selling: Preparation, Planning, Prospecting, Pre-approach, Presentation, Persistence, Perpetuation and Profitability.

3:30 p.m., Work Smarter, Not Harder...Selling is Easy When You Know How (Part II)
Presenter Fresco will give you five that will increase your sales. He will teach you the AIDA formula of selling. You will learn the eight P's of selling: Preparation, Planning, Prospecting, Pre-approach, Presentation, Persistence, Perpetuation and Profitability.

4 p.m., What Are You Waiting For? Improve Your Music Lesson Program NOW!
If you are interested in beginning or improving your lesson program, join presenter Pete Gamber (Alta Loma Music owner) for this session. He will share some of his time-tested strategies that can set your music lesson program on fire and make it a great year! Alta Loma Music is a retailer with one of the largest music education programs in the nation (2,000 students a week).

4:30 p.m., Music Lesson Program Challenges -- and How to Solve Them
Running a successful music lesson program doesn't just happen on its own; it takes work and lots of jumping over hurdles! Pete Gamber of Alta Loma Music will discuss some of the day-to-day challenges of running a successful music lesson program and provide solutions to these daily hurdles. Alta Loma Music is a retailer with one of the largest music education programs in the nation (2,000 students a week).

5 p.m., Music Lesson Ideas
Find out what ideas work by learning from the best! Join Pete Gamber (Alta Loma Music owner) for a lively discussion about what has and hasn't worked for him.

TOMORROW'S NEWSLETTER:
The editors' take from the showfloor, more new products, NAMM University update and hits from the showfloor blog! Stay tuned!