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Summer NAMM in Nashville

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Summer NAMM LogoOur Music Team is headed to another awesome Summer NAMM Show in Nashville

 

NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is a not-for-profit organization striving to promote the benefits of music making and strengthen the music industry overall. The association and their trade shows (of which they hold two large ones — Winter NAMM in Anaheim, CA and Summer NAMM in Nashville, TN) give the music industry a chance to see and show off the latest music products and technology, and the opportunity to network with individuals that hold an equal passion for the industry.

NAMM Endorsed Business Service Provider

Emery & Webb is NAMM’s Endorsed Service Provider for Business Insurance. As a result, our Music Team has the privilege of attending both shows to offer insurance of all kinds to music businesses of all types: Retail stores, wholesalers, instrument repair, instrument manufacturing, recording studios, music schools, music teachers, pro-audio sales and rentals, musicians.

Heading there, too? Stop by Booth 52 — our Music Team is giving away a free NAMM Membership for two years. And be sure to follow us on Twitter @musicinsured for other surprise giveaways. Visit our NAMM Show Exhibitor Page for more details.

10 Steps to prepare for fall storms

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Be Prepared for Fall Storms

Complacency breeds catastrophe.

At least in the world of weather disasters and insurance.

While today is officially the last day of summer, it is not the last day of hurricane season.  Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 – November 30.  Sure, a November hurricane is unlikely and hasn’t happened in decades.  But a hurricane-free summer causes many to breathe a sigh of relief, and relax their vigilance.  The summers of 2013 and 2014 were quiet, and we insurance nerds are extremely grateful.  However, a few quite summers can cause us to quickly forget the devastation of October 29, 2012.  Does that date ring a bell?  It’s the day that Superstorm Sandy made landfall on the east coast and destroyed huge chunks of New Jersey and New York.  It wasn’t a summer storm.  It was a fall storm.  And how about 2011, when our kids went trick-or-treating in the snow?  The freak Halloween snow storm caused thousands of power outages as snow coated and weighed down trees that were still full of leaves!

There have been massive Category 4 hurricanes lashing the east coast during the fall for decades.  Hurricane Donna in September 1960, Hurricane Hazel in October 1954, an unnamed hurricane in September 1938.

The bottom line?  We’re not off the hook yet.  Fall storms happen.  This is the time to get prepared.  Please don’t allow a hurricane free summer to lull you into a false sense of security.  It doesn’t take much to be prepared – a few simple steps can make a huge difference for your family if we experience storms this fall.

fall storms, hurricanes, insurance, disaster prep, national preparedness month

10 steps to prepare for Fall Storms

  1.  Check flashlights and stock up on batteries
  2. Buy an extra case of bottled water
  3. Check your gutters and downspouts – clear them out and make sure water can flow freely to avoid water coming back into your home and to avoid ice damming
  4. Lay in your supply of ice melt, and locate the snow shovel
  5. Do a little research and find out your emergency evacuation route, especially if you live within 10 miles of the coast!
  6. Make sure that you have a plan for your prescription meds if you are evacuated – know the names and exact doses so that the Red Cross can help you if necessary, and if possible, keep a small extra supply in your emergency bag (Many physicians will give you a prescription for an extra inhaler, diabetic supplies, maintenance medication etc if you explain that you are putting them in an emergency evacuation kit, particularly if you live within 10 miles of the coast.  Some medications, such as prescription pain medications, cannot be filled ahead of time.  Put an empty bottle with the dosage on the label in your emergency kit – so that Red Cross workers will know the exact dosage that you need in case of emergency)
  7. Don’t forget emergency supplies for your pets.  Do they need meds?  Keep a small amount of food, meds and water in your emergency pack for them.
  8. Do you still have valuables and photos stored in cardboard boxes in your basement?  Even after seeing news footage of families who lost everything in flooded basements?  Either move the cardboard to the attic, or invest in plastic storage bins for your basement!  Water will always come into the lowest level of your home first. Be proactive!
  9. Pay attention when you are told to evacuate.  And evacuate.  Listen.  The greatest danger and devastation always happens to those who decide to “ride out the storm”.  “Riding out the storm” always, ALWAYS leads to emergency personnel risking their lives to save individuals who could have saved themselves if they had only evacuated when told to do so.
  10. If you are handicapped and will have trouble evacuating yourself, and you do not have friends or family close by who could help you, make a call today to your local fire department (DO NOT call 911 for these arrangements; call the business phone number for your fire department – it’s listed in your phone book and it’s available online) and talk to them about making arrangements in the event of an emergency.  They would rather plan ahead to help you, than leave you in harm’s way.

Looking for more resources to protect your family?  Check out the following links for National Preparedness Month:

National Preparedness Month – Ready.gov

National Preparedness Month – CDC.gov

National Preparedness Month – Redcross.org

12 Ways to relax this Labor Day weekend

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The Labor Day weekend dilemma

Long weekends can go one of two ways.  We attempt to mash 25 overdue home projects (including several trips to the home improvement store), 2-3 family get-togethers, dinner with friends, running the kids to sleepovers, and the annual softball tournament into what was supposed to be a relaxing three-day weekend.  Or we have no plan whatsoever, resulting in oversleeping, mismanaged time, missed opportunities and the frustrating feeling on Tuesday morning that we frittered away a three-day weekend and have no lasting memories or accomplishments to take away from it.

Breathe.  It doesn’t have to be this way.

Resolution for Relaxation

Even at the 11th hour – meaning 3:30 pm on the Friday afternoon leading into Labor Day weekend – you can still make a Resolution for Relaxation that works in real life.

 

  • Write down your weekend plan – now take something OFF the list
  • Set your alarm for only an hour after your normal wake up time – don’t over sleep too much
  • Take a walk outside
  • Drink more water
  • Laugh at your kid’s jokes
  • Laugh at your spouse’s jokes
  • Plan now to go to bed early on Monday night
  • Sing along with the radio
  • Take pictures – even pictures of the ordinary will be extraordinary someday
  • If you must work, set aside a specific time for it – and stop when the time is up
  • Each night, write down 5 things that you’re specifically thankful for from that day
  • Drive sober

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend, from all of us at Emery & Webb!

labor day safety, insurance, new york insurance, drive sober

Music with a mission

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Music with a mission

Using the power of celebrities and music to raise awareness for a cause is nothing new.  However, this particular song caught my attention for 2 reasons.

  1. It’s a happy song.  No funeral dirge here – it’s a song full of hope, which is a breath of fresh air.
  2. Each verse was written by the various artists who are performing.  The story behind the song, is always powerful to me and this is one worth sharing.  DKM Media partnered with ONE for this project.

Be careful – listening to this song may cause a sudden desire to give towards building agricultural infrastructure in Africa and may cause an unusual desire to petition African lawmakers on behalf of the people.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

africa mission, ONE, music with a mission

 

 

Summer NAMM 2014

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The Summer NAMM experience

It’s hard to describe the Summer NAMM show to someone who hasn’t been there.  While trade shows are familiar to most of us, this one is different.  Yes, there are vendors from all over the country.  There are music retailers, craftsmen and luthiers, technology companies, sound companies…. and even insurance companies!  But the flavor of this trade show is different.  In the midst of selling instruments, striking deals, and seeing the “latest and greatest”, there are also musicians.  And music.  From everywhere, there is a continual stream of music in the air.  There is cacophony and noise, but when you listen closely the noise resolves into a drummer in one corner, a guitarist in another, and string players in between.  Guitar riffs and piano concertos together make up the soundtrack of the NAMM experience.

There is a level of passion at NAMM that is absent from the many other trade shows that I’ve attended through the years.  Musicians love what the do.  Whether it’s a retail store, a repair shop,  a custom luthier or an equipment dealer – just start asking questions about what they do.  You will hear impassioned responses and enthusiastic stories.  Every story is unique, and no two businesses are alike.  The energy is contagious.

Musicians wander through just to try the instruments on display.  Music teachers, student prodigies, sound technicians, studio owners, chain retailers and small business start-ups all rub shoulders.  They all attend for different reasons – to learn, to see what’s new, to play, to listen, to do business.  But no matter their reason for attendance, the shared love for music is held in common.

Photos from Nashville

Here is a glimpse, although it doesn’t do justice to the true excitement of the show.

 

Summer NAMM, Nashville, Music
Banjo-tam at Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM 2014, musicians, Nashville, music
Musicians at Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM 2014, Nashville, music, music lesson books
Music Method books – Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, Nashville, strings, music, musical instrument insurance
Violins and Violas – Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, music, Nashville, ukulele, music insurance
Ukuleles at Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, music insurance, musical instruments
Drums at Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, music insurance, Nashville, musical instruments
Grand Piano at Summer NAMM 2014
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Inovation – Summer NAMM 2014
NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Luthiers – Summer NAMM 2014
NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Basses – Summer NAMM 2014
NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Drums – Summer NAMM 2014
NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Guitar Accessories – Summer NAMM 2014
NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Electric guitars – Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, Nashville, music insurance
Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, Nashville, music insurance
Summer NAMM show floor
Summer NAMM, NAMM, music insurance, Nashville
Electric guitars – Summer NAMM 2014
Summer NAMM, Nashville, music insurance, music
Casio at Summer NAMM 2014

Top 10 reasons we love Winter NAMM

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The Winter NAMM show is one of the highlights of the year for us at Emery & Webb.  It’s a chance to see many of our clients from across the country, face to face.  It’s an opportunity to meet new people, hear new music, and see all the latest innovations in the music industry.

  •  Plane tickets….check.
  • Hotel reservation…check.
  • Rental car….check.
  • 1 packed suitcase….check (yes, I’m already packed – don’t judge me for being excited)
  • 1 empty suitcase…check (to bring back all the treasures that I find at the NAMM show that I just can’t live without)
  • Kazoo….check.  Although I play the piano, it’s not a terribly portable instrument.  So the kazoo it is.
  • Insurance solutions….check.  We are proud to be the endorsed provider for business insurance for NAMM members.  We have an entire portfolio of insurance solutions for all kinds of music industry businesses.

 Winter NAMM 2014, NAMM, Anaheim, CA

So as we count down the days to the Winter NAMM show on January 23rd, we’re celebrating the top 10  reasons why we look forward to the Winter NAMM show each year.

10.  Warm and sunny southern California in January.  Need I say more?  At Emery & Webb our offices span the Northeast corridor from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts.  We spend 40-50% of the year wearing overcoats and under-armor.  Heading to the city of eternal sunshine is a welcome relief from the winter doldrums.

9.  Technology.  Technology no longer increases by the decade or by the year.  It increases by the week and month.  There is always something new.  As soon as you purchase the latest gadget, the latest software, the latest piece of electronica – it’s depreciating in value and simultaneously being replaced by something newer and better, even as you’re walking out of the store.   The NAMM shows are a bi-annual opportunity to see the latest and greatest industry electronics and technology, all under one roof.  It’s the “World’s Fair” of the music industry.

8.  Energy.  With hundreds of musicians and thousands of music businesses represented, the energy and excitement is literally pulsing throughout the venue.  And it is sustained over the four days.  You can feel it and see it in the energetic performances, the excited vendors and the upbeat mood of the crowd.

7.  Concerts.  Musicians from across the country and around the world have the chance to showcase their talent to a broad audience.  Hidden talents are discovered.  Record labels are watching.  From acoustic guitar to jazz trumpets to metal rock bands, the entire gambit of the musical spectrum is represented.  With something for everyone, no one goes away disappointed.

6.  Education.  NAMM provides seminars and training for: growing your retail business, music educators, pro-audio and lighting technologies, and the future leaders of the music products industry.  At Emery & Webb, we believe in the power of education.  Educated consumers are excellent consumers.  Educated business men and women are excellent business men and women.  This is extremely important in the insurance industry.  And when the business demographic that we work with increases their business acumen and education, it benefits everyone – their clients, their business partners and their bottom line.

5.  Our mission.  Your passion is music.  Ours is protecting it.  The businesses that comprise the music industry are wide and varied.  Each has its own unique business and insurance needs.  Each requires individual attention and insurance experts who understand the many facets of the business and the challenges that owners face.  This is what we do, and we are experts at it.  The NAMM show gives us the opportunity to meet business and individuals that we can help with our expertise.  It’s what we love doing.

4.  The NAMM staff.  NAMM has some of the greatest people working and striving to push forward the causes of music education, music appreciation and music business opportunities for their members.  They work tirelessly on behalf of their members – developing training, building relationships to benefit music merchants across the country and increasing communication and opportunities both at home and around the world.  They are a unique group, who love music and use their own gifts and talents to bolster the music businesses of others.

3.  Meeting new people.  Walking through the vendor halls and rubbing shoulders with businesses from around the country doesn’t happen very often for most of us.  Winter NAMM provides one of our only opportunities during the year to meet new people, discover new businesses, and invest our resources into making the music industry a safer place.

2.  Seeing our clients from across the country.  Getting to shake the hand of the people that you talk to all the time, but never see, is one of the true highlights of the show for us.  We insure music businesses from coast to coast.  But I can’t tell you the last time that I went to Michigan or New Mexico to see a client.  Chances are, if they are NAMM members, they’ll be at the show.

1.  Music.  Folk bands.  DJ’s.  Jazz artists.  Metal rock bands.  Pianists. Guitarists. Drummers.  They all come to the NAMM show for various reasons.  Many come to be “discovered”.  Others come for the instruments.  Still others come for the technology – to see what’s new.  But they come.  And they perform. And they provide the magic that is music, for all of us.  Musicians are the heart and soul of our industry.  They are why retail stores and tech wholesalers and recording studios and music schools and even music business insurance exist.  Because of musicians.  Because of creativity.  Because of passion.  Because of a dream.  Because music speaks the language that we all understand.

 We look forward to seeing you there!  Stop by our booth in the NAMM member center.  Booth 168, Hall C, right next to the NAMM store.

Winter NAMM 2014, Anaheim CA, NAMM

What we’ve learned from Target’s data breach

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A white sweater.  A last minute pair of black heels for my daughter’s winter dance.  And a can of hairspray.  Purchased on December 6, 2013 . . . at Target.

Because of those three items, purchased with my debit card, I spent the 5 days leading up to Christmas without a debit card.  You should see what my American Express bill looked like as a result!  Or maybe you shouldn’t.  My experience was not one of the bad ones.  I called my bank.  They cancelled my card immediately and waived the fee for FedEx-ing me a new card as quickly as possible.  I received it late in the day on Christmas Eve.  I’ve kept an eye on all of my cards and accounts – either fortunately or unfortunately, all of the charges have been mine.

The latest estimate released today says that I am one of 70,000,000 victims.

We all know that computer viruses happen.  Hackers attack.  Cyber and date crimes are on the rise.  It’s fairly common knowledge.  However, when a retail giant like Target or an internet empire like LivingSocial becomes the victim of cyber crime, it brings this ever-growing problem into the limelight.

Cyber liability insurance, data breach

Here’s what’s true:  Target had invested millions of dollars into its computer infrastructure to ensure the security of retail and internet sales.  They got hacked anyway.  They are being sued and will be paying millions of dollars for credit monitoring for their customers.

Here’s what’s also true:  If it can happen to them, it can certainly happen to the small business owner.  And it’s easier to hack into a small business than a mega-store.  Small businesses are where cyber criminals cut their teeth. 

How cyber crime happens:

  1. An employee leaves a business laptop on the train or in an unlocked car
  2. A hacker breaks through your computer fire-walls
  3. A flash drive is stolen or missing
  4. Even paper files can be stolen – the old fashioned way
  5. The outside vendor you use for accounting gets hacked
  6. The outside vendor you use for payroll/employee benefits gets hacked

Cyber liability insurance is specifically designed to intervene and protect your assets when your business is the victim of a hacker or data breach crime.  The coverage can vary widely from company to company, but the premise is basically the same.  Cyber liability insurance can pay for the damage that your business sustains such as business interruption, increased costs and loss of digital assets.  It can also pay for the damage to third parties – your customers.  This coverage can include customer notification costs, public relations expenses, and credit monitoring costs.

It costs you nothing to find out what cyber liability insurance can do for your business.  And it may mean the difference between salvaging your business and losing it all.

15 Items for your winter car emergency kit

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Bitter cold temperatures have settled in the Midwest.  A major winter storm is bearing down on the Northeast and eastern seaboard.  The 2014 winter season is making its presence known in no uncertain terms.
Winter storms and freezing temperatures can lead to just as many deaths as the hurricanes and tornadoes of the warmer seasons.  Most winter storm deaths are the result of auto accidents.  While we can’t control the amount of ice on the roads, we can control our level of preparation.  It is important to be both prepared and informed.
Stranded in your car
1.  Take advantage of your smart phone.  Many weather apps are free and can be customized to alert you when winter storm warnings are in effect for your area.
2.  Make sure all the fluids in your car are topped off
3.  Make sure that the car charger for your phone is actually in the car.  It doesn’t do you any good sitting in the junk drawer in the kitchen.
4.  Pick up your prescription refill ahead of time – BEFORE the storm
4.  If you’re going out to buy milk, bread and toilet paper, don’t forget about pet food too
5.  Let someone know your itinerary.  Before you drive off, give someone a call and let them know what time to expect you home.  Someone needs to know to look for you if you don’t show up.
6.  Put a winter emergency kit in the trunk of your car.  <<<< Don’t stop reading just because you’ve heard that idea 1,000 times before>>>>>.  Most people skip this important step, but it is incredibly important.  If you’re in an accident or simply slide off the road, you could be stranded for a period of time in your car.  In a blizzard, it is safer to stay in your car until the storm passes.  But you must be prepared so that you don’t freeze to death.  Warmth and hydration are the keys to surviving if you are stranded.  Put a small box or bag in the trunk filled with the following items, and leave it there for the winter.  Insist that the teenage drivers in your house have an identical emergency kit in their cars as well.

15 Items for your Car Emergency Kit

Stay warm:  

  1.   Winter hat – heat escapes through your head – put a hat on!
  2.   Waterproof winter gloves – this is not a fashion statement; fingers and toes get frostbite first
  3.   Boots and socks – keep your feet dry
  4.   Blanket – or better yet, a winter sleeping bag
  5.   Matches – it might sound cliche, but imagine if you needed them and didn’t have them

Stay visible:  

  1.   Flashlight and extra batteries, preferrably an LED light (it’s brighter during a snow storm).  A white car on the side of the road in a snow storm looks like . . . nothing.
  2.   An LED emergency beacon (kind of like a small strobe light) or flares

Stay prepared:

  1.   Rely on a daily prescription?  Get a small pill box and keep 2 days worth of pills in your emergency kit.  Most doctors or pharmacists can provide 1 or 2 days of extra for an emergency.
  2.   Glucose tablets – Glucose is the fuel for the brain. When blood sugar levels get low, dizziness and confusion can occur.  Glucose tablets are less than $2 and are available near the diabetic supplies in drug stores and superstores
  3.   Have an infant?  Make sure you’re adequately prepared to take care of their needs if they are stranded with you.  (Formula and diapers).
  4.   A small bag of sand  – to provide traction in the snow if you’re stuck
  5.   Jumper cables – need I say more?
  6.   A tow rope – if a truck comes by to help you, but no one has a rope, you’re still stuck
  7.   Several small bottles of water – a small bottle is easier to thaw than a large jug
  8.   A child’s size shovel – easy to store in the trunk, but still helpful if you find yourself in a snowbank
If you can, just stay home.  When people venture out in a snowstorm, it’s usually because they are trying to go to work.  In todays digital society, many workplaces offer the ability to work remotely from home by utilizing a remote desktop and forwarding your office phone to your cell phone.  Find out what the inclement weather policy is at your office.
If you’re the employer, consider offering the remote desktop option during emergencies such as a blizzard or hurricane.  Your business can remain open, while your employees remain safe.  Obviously this won’t work for every position in your business, but if you have employees who primarily use a computer and a phone, this could be a great solution for you.
Car accident in snow

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