NARM AFIM Join Forces For 2002 Conference

The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) will join forces with the Association for Independent Music (AFIM) to blend AFIM events into the 2002 NARM Convention & Trade Show, set for March 9-12, at the San Francisco Marriott. The schedule will include AFIM's "Crash Course" for industry newcomers (which will actually take place on March 8, the day before the official start of the Convention), one-on-one meetings between indie labels and distributors, the Indie Awards presentation, seminars, and member lounge. Membership in either organization will qualify companies to attend the 2002 event.

"While AFIM is continuing to maintain a separate office and membership, an event alliance with NARM seemed to be a great idea because our two conventions had a natural synergy," explains AFIM Board Chairman Clay Pasternack. "We're delighted that NARM and AFIM have reached an agreement, and we're confident NARM will help AFIM meet one of the greatest needs of today's independent labels – more interaction with retail."

"Preserving the vitality of the independent music marketplace is very important to the music retailing community," says NARM President Pamela Horovitz. "We believe it makes perfect sense to celebrate AFIM's 30 years of service to independent music by blending our events. NARM and AFIM have several hundred members in common who can now conduct business efficiently at a combined event. Plus, hundreds of other AFIM members will now have a chance to experience the NARM Convention & Trade Show for the first time."

All Convention & Trade Show activities will be open to both NARM and AFIM members. Registration, housing and booth sales will be handled by NARM.

NARM serves the music retailing community in the areas of networking, advocacy, information, education, and promotion. Founded in 1958, the Association's 1,000 member retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers of entertainment software and other products and services represent 80% of the music retailing industry.

AFIM is the premier organization of the independent music community in the U.S.A. Its members include independent labels, distributors and suppliers. Founded in 1972 as NAIRD (the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufacturers), the organization has grown from primarily a distributor group to encompass all aspects of the independent music business world.