Top 10 reasons we love Winter NAMM
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.
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.
What we’ve learned from Target’s data breach
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.
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:
- An employee leaves a business laptop on the train or in an unlocked car
- A hacker breaks through your computer fire-walls
- A flash drive is stolen or missing
- Even paper files can be stolen – the old fashioned way
- The outside vendor you use for accounting gets hacked
- 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
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.
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:
- Winter hat – heat escapes through your head – put a hat on!
- Waterproof winter gloves – this is not a fashion statement; fingers and toes get frostbite first
- Boots and socks – keep your feet dry
- Blanket – or better yet, a winter sleeping bag
- Matches – it might sound cliche, but imagine if you needed them and didn’t have them
Stay visible:
- 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.
- An LED emergency beacon (kind of like a small strobe light) or flares
Stay prepared:
- 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.
- 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
- Have an infant? Make sure you’re adequately prepared to take care of their needs if they are stranded with you. (Formula and diapers).
- A small bag of sand – to provide traction in the snow if you’re stuck
- Jumper cables – need I say more?
- A tow rope – if a truck comes by to help you, but no one has a rope, you’re still stuck
- Several small bottles of water – a small bottle is easier to thaw than a large jug
- 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.
Merry Christmas, from all of us at Emery & Webb
Toys for Tots – Emery & Webb drop-off locations
Spread the Word!
All NY Emery and Webb office locations are drop-off centers for
Toys for Tots!
Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys to give to under-priveledged children. The toys will be collected the week of December 16th. Please be generous. Our locations are listed below.
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989 Main Street, Fishkill NY
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54 East Main Street, Pawling NY
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2645 South Road, Suite 2, Poughkeepsie NY
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346 Old Post Road, Rhinebeck, NY
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8 Mill Street, Dover Plains NY
The Emery & Webb 2013 Thanksgiving List
Our Emery & Webb family has much to be thankful for this year. Individually, we could fill pages. But collectively, we narrowed it down to the top 12 things that we are grateful for this year.
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Our families and loved ones. We appreciate you more than you could ever know.
- Our team has grown. We have many new co-workers to be thankful for.
- Our merger. The Dedrick Agency merged with Emery & Webb this fall and we are thankful for these new co-workers in Dover Plains, NY.
- Our heritage. We are thankful for 125 years of consistent family leadership from the Webb family.
- Our branch and department managers. We have the hardest working managers in the business and we are particularly thankful for them.
- No major hurricanes. Fall is hurricane season, and the east coast was not hit with any major hurricanes this year. We are especially thankful for this in light of Hurricanes Irene and Sandy in 2011 and 2012.
- Our new agency management system, EPIC. It’s been a transition of “epic” proportions, but we are thankful not only to have survived the transition, but for the new capabilities that this system affords us.
- The transition to our new agency management system was a massive undertaking. We are particularly thankful to Sue and her team of EPIC specialists who helped us all learn the ropes and patiently dealt with our learning curve.
- Our clients. We work with the best families and businesses anywhere. In many cases, not only are you our clients, we are your clients too. We are proud to partner with you to protect the things that matter most.
- Our company partners. We truly believe that we have partnered with the best insurance companies in the business. We are thankful for the Insurance Companies we have chosen to represent, their marketing reps and our ever-patient underwriters.
- Our broker partners. Our brokers are out of this world. We are thankful for their hard work and the creative solutions that they offer.
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Our communities. Emery & Webb makes it home in multiple communities throughout upstate New York, as well as Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our hometowns are filled not only with clients, but with friends & family, with businesses that we have valued for years, with history, with schools and arts and landmarks that are part of the fabric of who we are.
To you and your family, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and an overflowing heart of gratitude.
Thank you to our Veterans
For all who have given and sacrificed more than we will ever know, thank you. You have protected our freedom and the freedom of others. Your parents, spouse, and children have also made tremendous sacrifices. We honor all of you today. Your service does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful.
What are the Benefits of Music Education?
U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 Annual Guide to America’s Best Colleges has ranked UF among the nation’s Best National Universities and #19 among the nation’s Top Public Schools.
Visit the Univeristy of Florida’s Music School website for more valuable information regarding pursuing a degree in music education.
How to Protect Yourself from Health Insurance Fraud
Change brings with it the opportunity for fraud. It’s a reality of the world and society we live in. When hurricane’s happen, fraudulent contractors often show up on the doorsteps of victims offering to help. When they have gathered valuable information, they disappear with your money. When large banking organizations are absorbed by even larger organizations, fraudulent telemarketers crop up, offering to assist you with transferring your money, when in reality it was already seamlessly transferred without the consumer having to give up private information.
The change in our healthcare system is especially rife with opportunities for fraud and identity theft. There is already a lot of confusion surrounding the new healthcare system. To compound the issue, many of the websites designed to provide information and enrollment were overwhelmed by consumer logins and developed glitches, causing them not to function correctly. Unfortunately, this only helped to set up an environment for crooks to prey on well-meaning, confused, innocent Americans who are only trying to do the right thing and figure out this new system.
PROTECT YOURSELF: TWO THINGS TO WATCH FOR
- State governments have contracted thousands of “Navigators” to help consumers through the process of signing up for insurance and understanding their options. This is legitimate. However, con-artists posing as “Navigators” may show up at your doorstep or give you a call as well.
- True Navigators will not ask for your Social Security Number.
- They will not ask for financial information.
- They will not ask for you to make a payment of any kind.
2. Fake websites will be created by con-artists, designed to look like the State exchange websites. The domain names may be extremely similar, only off by one character. They will probably require consumers to enter financial information in order to enroll. In this way, they will capture financial information and perhaps even sign up users for non-existent insurance plans, leaving the insureds holding the bag on thousands of dollars of medical bills.
- · Know what your state website looks like. If you are unsure, first go to www.healthcare.gov. At the bottom of the page, click the link for “Find the Marketplace in your State”. Some states have chosen to use the Federal Site. Other states have created their own sites. Choose your state from the drop down box and then follow the link to the appropriate, state approved website.
- · New York: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov
- · New Jersey: www.healthcare.gov
- · Massachusetts: https://www.mahealthconnector.info
- · Legitimate sites do not require financial information upfront in order to enroll.