TouchStone
STARs-to-be Visit
Yamaha Plant in Georgia
Yamaha's ToushStone STARs program once again brought piano retail professionals from around the country to visit Yamaha Music Manufacturing in Thomaston, GA in September as part of the rigorous certification process. In two groups, Sept. 9 - 11 and Sept. 11 - 13, a total of 68 salespersons and managers saw first-hand how Yamaha pianos are produced, and met the craftspeople who blend art and science to make it happen.
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Along with Yamaha Disklavier Marketing Manager Cam Shearer and Keyboard Consulant George Dixon hosting the Disklavier® meeting on the tour, Senior Technical Manager Bill Brandom, Yamaha Consultant Craig Fehrenbacher and Keyboard Consultant LaRoy Edwards hosted the piano meeting. District Mangers Rocco Ferrante, Mark Peterson and Dan Rodowicz were also on hand to offer their expertise and support to the visiting dealers.
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Meanwhile, TouchStone marches on with 12 new members — Bets Glizinski, Todd Heid and Bob Heid of Heid Music Co. in Appleton, WI; Tom Smith of Ludwig Music House on Earth City, MO; Don Cowan of Claude P. Street in Madison, TN; Craig Gigax of Meridian Music in Indianapolis, IN; Cindy Myerchin of Scott's Music Stores in Grand Forks, ND; Morris Smith of England Piano in Atlanta, GA; Dawn DeMars of Keyboard Concepts in Van Nuys, CA; Sean Bugg of Schuttler Music in Evansville, IN; Peter R. Becker of Jacobs Music in Whitehall, PA; and Janet P. Smith of Jacobs Music in Philadelphia, PA.
Revised editions of the TouchStone manual went to all members in March, and recertification tests for the year wrapped up May 31. Third-year STARs have received their TouchStone rings, and five-year STARs have gotten their first six-point diamonds to display in them.
The Yamaha TouchStone Program recognizes outstanding salespeople for their knowledge and achievement in sales, professional skills, and customer service. The program exemplifies the Yamaha commitment to satisfaction, thereby assuring customers that they are doing business with the best in the music industry.
