'Ask the Experts' panel ready for questions
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 6, 2008
High Point — Retailers attending market will be able to "Ask the Experts" about topics like merchandising, operations, interior design, finance, human resources, and real estate, courtesy of the National Home Furnishings Assn.
The retail trade group will arrange a series of one-on-one meetings here with five industry veterans, all past or present NHFA board members, in the association's Retailer Resource Center on the 12th Floor, Main wing, of the International Home Furnishings Center.
NHFA said the informal meetings will provide an opportunity for the experts to share their best practices with fellow retailers and answer questions. The experts include:
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Cherie Rose, a certified interior designer and NHFA executive board member, who will offer insights on store design and design trends and will be available Monday, April 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Dennis Novosel, president of Stoney Creek Furniture in Stoney Creek, Ontario, and a former NHFA president, will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, to discuss topics including business management, operations and importing.
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Hershel Alpert, former leader of Massachusetts retailer Alpert's Furniture, former NHFA president and recipient of its 2005 Retailer of the Year award, will be at the Retailer Resource Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. His areas of expertise include business management, finance, operations and real estate.
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Howard Haimsohn, president of San Diego-based Lawrance Contemporary Home Furnishings, will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, to discuss a wide range of subjects, from contemporary merchandising, inventory management and manufacturer relations to product performance analysis, financial management and cost controls for smaller businesses.
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Doug Kays, current NHFA president, an attorney and real estate broker with over 34 years of experience in retail home furnishings, will be available 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Retailer Resource Center to answer discuss operations, human resources, real estate and legal issues.
