Bedding Conference set for May 5-7
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 9, 2009
HIGH POINT — Mattress Firm President Steve Stagner and sleep expert Michael Breus will be the keynote speakers for Furniture/Today's fourth annual Bedding Conference.
Set for May 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Fla., the event will feature a retail-oriented program with the theme, “Mattress Magic: It's All About Execution.”
Stagner, president of Houston-based Mattress Firm, one of the nation's largest bedding retailers, is a 16-year industry veteran with experience in both wholesale and retail. He joined Mattress Firm in January 2005 and has helped oversee the retailer's continuing expansion. His retail keynote talk is titled, “Creating a Culture of Constant Improvement.”
Breus is a clinical psychologist and author of the book, “Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great through Better Sleep.” His talk is sponsored by Carpenter, a supplier of comfort products to the mattress industry.
Known as the Sleep Doctor, Breus appears as a wellness coach on AOL and a columnist on “You, The Owner's Manual,” a syndicated radio show on health. His media appearances have included interviews on CNN, “Oprah,” “The View” and “The Doctors.” His talk at the Bedding Conference is titled, “Good Night, Sleep Right: How Better Sleep Leads to Better Health.”
“Steve Stagner and Michael Breus both have important messages to share with the bedding industry,” said David Perry, Furniture/Today's executive editor and the coordinator of the Bedding Conference.
“Mattress Firm has emphasized a culture of professionalism that can provide inspiration for many in the industry, while Dr. Breus has developed innovative education and communication programs that are helping consumers appreciate the true power of a good night's sleep.”
Stagner and Breus are the kickoff speakers on Wednesday, May 6, a full day of educational sessions. They will be followed by an “Ask the Experts Panel” that features executives with Hickory Springs, Therapedic and Lilly Management Group.
The afternoon sessions on May 6 will include details on a “retail makeover” undertaken by Leggett & Platt. L&P's Mark Quinn will lead that session.
The “Hot Issues Panel” with bedding producers follows the L&P presentation. The final session of that day will be a retail panel featuring Jeffrey Klein of Sleep etc., Norwalk, Conn.; Roger Magowitz of Mattress Discounters, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Arthur Watkins of Mattress Inn, Nashville, Tenn.
A gala awards dinner that night will spotlight four Retail Giants of Bedding, retailers who stand out in the bedding arena. They will be announced later.
On May 7, Craig McAndrews of The Retail Institute will present a scorecard on how well retailers are telling better sleep messages.
He will be followed by Gerry Morris of the Sleep Trust Guarantee, speaking about what mattress retailers need to do to find success in tough times.
Furniture/Today's Perry wraps up the conference by reviewing highlights of Furniture/Today's latest consumer research, conducted with HGTV.
The headline sponsor for the conference is Hickory Springs.
Registration for the conference is now open at www.furnituretoday.com. An agenda is available online.
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