Learn to 'market the magic' at conference
Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief -- Furniture Today, June 12, 2006
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is putting together our annual Furniture/Today Leadership Conference. Helping bring leading retailers and suppliers together to discuss major industry issues, network and learn from one another is something I see as a real honor.
Organizing the conference also is a big challenge, primarily because our goal always is to top the prior year's event.
Still, I believe our upcoming 10th annual event, Marketing The Magic: Out of the Box Strategies for Out of This World Solutions, set for Nov. 28–30 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla., will be a milestone.
Why a theme wrapped around magic? Simple. Because when we do it right, that's what this business is all about. As an industry, we can almost magically transform a sterile house into a warm, vibrant home. We are in a fashion business. On those grounds alone, our products are part of the magic. Done correctly, the retail experience should be part of the magic. The messages we send to consumers are part of the magic. And while most consumers never see it, backroom logistics are part of the magic as well.
We'll talk about the magic, who has it, how to get it and how to maximize it.
As usual, we're asking the best and brightest to speak to the group. For example, Martin Roberts of Grid2 is helping me put together a panel featuring retailers who truly are giving consumers a magical retail experience.
And if you know me, you know a speaker or two from outside the industry will tell their story and leave you with useful lessons for your business. We also will honor the Blumkin family at Nebraska Furniture Mart as our 2006 Retailer of the Year.
One change this year will be a switch from a Wednesday-to-Friday run to a Tuesday-to-Thursday format. That will better meet the needs of those who want to return home by Friday.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. We've got a few more tricks up our sleeve. I hope you'll attend what I think will be our best conference ever. For more information, contact conference coordinator Meg Goldsby at (336) 605-1066 or at meg.goldsby@reedbusiness.com.
See you there!
