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The Jiusic [ffiade
REVIEW
Established 1879
CARLETON CHACE. Editor
Alex H. Kolbe, Publisher
A. C. Osborne
Associate Editor
Alexander Hart
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
OF MUSIC
MERCHANTS
Technical Editor
1HI POOREST
CHHD IS RICH
WITH MVSKAt
- JKAINING S
V. T. Costello
Production Manager
Terry RufFolo
Circulation Manager
Published monthly at 510 RKO Building, Radio
City. 1270 Sixth Avenue, New York 20, N. Y.
Telephone: Circle 7-5842-5843-5844
Vol. 1 1 2
OCTOBER, 1953
No. 10
Business-As We See It
objected to holding the Convention in July either
late or early. Years ago, the Convention used to be
held the first week in June, which seemed to be
the most practical time of the year. Weather condi-
tions at that time are usually more satisfactory. Dur-
ing the past month, we have had various suggestions
made regarding several phases of the situation. One
is that a smaller city be designated, at least to try
out one time, with the idea that the expense would
be considerably less. This idea, of course, is ques-
tionable due to the fact that there may not be the
facilities in many smaller cities which become neces-
sary for a Convention of the music industry char-
acter. Another suggestion has been that two Conven-
tions be held, one on the west coast and one on the
east coast, and at such times of the year that would
be more practical for the climate in these sections
of the country. There are many who believe also that
if the Conventions are going to be held in New York
and Chicago, they should be alternate cities, one
year in Chicago and the next year in New York.
Atlantic City has been another suggestion, the Con-
vention held at such time of the year as it would
be an opportunity for many dealers to combine pleas-
ure with business. A separate piano convention has
also been suggested. Undoubtedly when the Ques-
tionnaires come in and are delivered to Mr. Gard
there will be a large number of suggestions to be
considered and some good for the benefit of the en-
tire industry may be forthcoming.
Hotel Charges Constitute Most Increase
NTEREST in possible changes in the conducting
of the Conventions which are held each year by
N justice to the National Association of Music
the National Association of Music Merchants is
Merchants and due to the widespread criticism
continuing. For one thing, the members of the Na-
regarding the cost of the Convention, we must
tional Piano Manufacturers Association, the Nation- point out that the Convention charges of the Na-
al Association of Musical Merch- tional Association of Music Merchants have not in-
andise Wholesalers and the Na- creased since 1948. The bulk of the increase in ex-
tional Association of Musical In- pense, therefore, has come from the exorbitant
strument Manufacturers are re- charges which are made by the hotels. Not only have
ceiving questionnaires which have room rates been increased perceptibly, but the cost
been sent out at the suggestion of of eating at the hotel and other items, even including
William R. Gard, Executive Sec- tips, have been steadily increasing during the last
retary of the National Association few years. There is no doubt but that these are the
of Music Merchants, in which items that make a Convention so costly, and add to
questions regarding the time and this the increase in the cost of delivering merchan-
city in which to hold the Conven- dise to the hotel and shipping it out afterward with
tion are among those questions the absurd charges which are made for waiting time,
CARLETON CHACE
asked. Mr. Gard is endeavoring and one can readily see here most of the 7 0 %
to find out the consensus from the members of increase in Convention costs have come from. With-
these associations who represent manufacturers who out a doubt, some of these costs could be pared down
foot the bills, and the answers to these question- considerably if the Conventions could be held in
naires will be submitted to the Convention and some smaller city where hotel costs and other items
are not as exorbitant as they are in the metropoli-
Trade Show Committee in November at a meeting
tan
areas. All these matters, however, will be con-
which has been called at that time. One of the
questions involves the time of year that the Conven- sidered undoubtedly at the forthcoming meeting of
tion should be held. Some people have consistently the Convention and Trade Show Committee. It is
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10
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, OCTOBER, 1953