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F/T Bedding Conference set for May 14–16

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 9, 2008

High Point — Green living guru Danny Seo is the headline speaker at Furniture/Today's third Bedding Conference, set for May 14–16 at the Ritz-Carlton golf resort in Naples, Fla.

"Better sleep equals better sales" is the theme.

Seo, one of the nation's top environmental lifestyle experts, heads a slate of retail-oriented speakers for the event, which once again will be co-sponsored by the Home Furnishings Independents Assn. Attendees can find registration information online at www.furnituretoday.com.

"This event is for leaders in the mattress industry in the retail, producer and supplier categories," said David Perry, bedding editor at Furniture/Today. "The conference provides a unique combination of educational and networking sessions for all industry players to meet and discuss issues of mutual importance."

Added HFIA President Mary Frye: "Furniture/Today's Bedding Conference offers attendees a unique opportunity to have a candid conversation with the bedding industry that isn't available anywhere else.

"Despite a well-planned and scripted program, speakers can and do go off on their own paths to reveal a side of the business that is interesting, thought-provoking and useful," said Frye. "We've talked about warranties, comfort returns and any number of other inside stories that are rarely talked about in such an open venue. Past attendees know how entertaining these little departures from plan can be and the prospect of such an occurrence is worth the registration fee. The good ideas, marketing tips, networking, and friendships are side benefits that make the conference more than a bargain!"

Seo, the Green Living Partner for JCPenney, will talk about what the green movement means for the mattress industry. He has a new mattress line, Natural Care by Danny Seo, produced by Simmons, which is sponsoring his talk.

Another key speaker, market strategist Thom Winninger, will outline strategies retailers should use to succeed in a challenging business climate. Winninger, who has addressed a number of bedding groups, is the founder of Visionscope, a Minneapolis-based think tank, and three other companies. He is the author of four business books, including "Price Wars."

Sharing their retail success stories will be Barrie Brown, CEO of Mattress Giant, Addison, Texas, and Pete Bils, senior director of sleep innovation and clinical research at Select Comfort, based in Minneapolis.

Jon Parks, a partner at Horich Parks Lebow Advertising, will discuss standout retail bedding strategies. Kurt Ling, president of Customer Kinetics, will talk about how retailers can boost their bedding sales.

"Our speakers will provide a timely overview of the key issues facing the bedding industry, with an emphasis on how they affect mattress retailers," said Perry. He will present an overview of Furniture/Today's latest retail bedding research. That presentation is sponsored by Sealy.

For more information on the conference, contact Furniture/Today's special events manager, Meg Goldsby, at (336) 605-1066 or meg.goldsby@reedbusiness.com.

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F/T Bedding Conference set for May 14–16

Mar 9, 2008

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