Music Stores Trade Associations

Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS)

U.S. coalition of independent record stores coordinating national marketing programs and co-founding Record Store Day; useful for music retailers focused on physical media. Membership: 33 stores (as of 2025).

https://thealliancerocks.com/ Membership: 33

Audio Engineering Society (AES)

Global professional society for audio technology with standards, education, and networking that benefit music stores selling pro audio and recording gear. Membership: 12,000+ individuals.

https://www.aes.org/ Membership: 12,000

Australian Music Association (AMA)

Australia’s trade body for the music products sector (retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers); advocacy, data, events (e.g., Melbourne Guitar Show). Membership: 150+ companies (latest published figure, 2017).

https://australianmusic.asn.au/ Membership: 150

Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

Peak national body for Australian retailers, offering lobbying, benchmarking and programs relevant to music shops. Represents 120,000+ shop fronts and online stores.

https://www.retail.org.au/ Membership: 120,000

AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)

International AV trade association (producer of InfoComm) serving dealers, distributors and integrators—helpful for music stores carrying PA and AV lines. Membership: 11,400+ members.

https://www.avixa.org/ Membership: 11,400

China Musical Instrument Association (CMIA)

China’s national musical instrument industry association; coordinates policy, training, exhibitions. Membership: 400 corporate members (plus ~1,000 individual members; 2011 data).

http://www.cmia.com.cn/ Membership: 400

Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS)

Coalition of 40 influential U.S. indie record stores that brokers label campaigns and promotes physical media—useful for record retailers. Membership: 40 stores (25 states).

https://www.cimsmusic.com/ Membership: 40

Department of Record Stores (DORS)

Group of longstanding U.S. indie record stores collaborating on retail programs and promotions. Membership: 16 stores (current site roster).

https://www.deptofrecordstores.com/ Membership: 16

European Music Council (EMC)

European umbrella body for music sector organizations; provides policy insights and networks that retailers can leverage. Membership: 74 member organisations.

https://www.emc-imc.org/ Membership: 74

MIAC – Music Industries Association of Canada

Canada’s national music products association representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors; advocacy, research and trade events. Membership: 160 manufacturer/distributor and 150 retailer members (published historical figure).

https://www.miac.net/ Membership: 310

Music BC Industry Association

Provincial industry association in British Columbia with a 4,000+ strong membership that includes music retailers; provides advocacy, education and networking.

https://musicbc.org/ Membership: 4,000

Music Publishers Association (MPA) – UK

UK trade association for music publishers; collaborates with retailers on print and rights matters. Membership: 173 publishers.

https://mpaonline.org.uk/ Membership: 173

Music Publishers Association (MPA) – United States

Oldest U.S. music publishing trade body; connects publishers with dealers and educators—useful to print music retailers. Membership: 60+ publishers.

https://www.mpa.org/ Membership: 60

NAPBIRT – National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians

Band instrument repair technicians’ association offering education and a 1,000+ member network—vital to school music dealers and service departments. Membership: 1,000+ individuals.

https://napbirt.org/ Membership: 1,000

National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)

Global trade association for the music products industry (retailers, manufacturers, distributors); shows, advocacy, research and training. Membership: ~15,000 (2023).

https://www.namm.org/ Membership: 15,000

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

U.S. accrediting body for higher-ed music programs; connects retailers with institutional buyers and programs via directories and events. Membership: ~628 accredited institutions.

https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/ Membership: 628

National Retail Federation (NRF)

World’s largest retail trade association; provides benchmarking, policy advocacy and security/AP resources that benefit music retailers. Membership: 17,000+ member companies.

https://nrf.com/ Membership: 17,000

Percussion Marketing Council (PMC)

Percussion industry marketing council (PlayDrums.com); runs grow-the-market campaigns that support drum/percussion retail. Membership: 31 member companies.

https://www.playdrums.com/ Membership: 31

Piano Technicians Guild (PTG)

World’s largest nonprofit for piano technicians; education, certification, and a 3,300‑member network that underpins many music stores’ service ops. Membership: 3,300+ individuals.

https://www.ptg.org/ Membership: 3,300

SOMM – Society Of Music Merchants e.V.

German umbrella association for the musical instrument and equipment sector (manufacturers, distributors, retailers, media). Membership: nearly 750 companies/organisations.

https://www.somm.eu/ Membership: 750