Don't miss the F/T Conference

Ray Allegrezza -- Furniture Today, November 12, 2012

Ray AllegrezzaI want to remind you that our Leadership Conference is right around the corner. Last year was a sold-out event and considering we've already registered 320 attendees, it looks like we are on track for another record crowd.
     This year's conference is set for Nov. 28-30 at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort in Naples, Fla.
     Our theme this year - All in...Plugged in? - underscores the need to be fully committed to every aspect of your business.
     For openers, we've invited back author, professor and marketing maven Dr. Roger Blackwell. He will present proprietary research that will help you understand how to better plug into the most talked about consumer segment, the Millennials.
     Industry expert Jerry Epperson of Mann, Armistead & Epperson will discuss the impact of the presidential election, shifts in housing, unemployment, consumer spending and more.
     Each year I bring someone from outside the industry who has a proven track record of solving issues that also impact the home furnishings industry. This year, I am proud to have Tim Ciasulli, head of Planet Honda, a man who has literally reinvented the process for buying a car.
     You will also hear from four dynamic retailers who have exciting new retail formats. This blockbuster panel features Larry Klaben of Morris Home Furnishings, Terry Oates of Great Buys Plus, Michael Bay of Merinos Home Furnishings Warehouse and Doug Wolf of Wolf Furniture.
     Satya Tiwari of Surya, Gail Michel of La-Z-Boy and Joanne Neff of Wolf Furniture will show you how to boost your bottom line by plugging into accessory sales.
     This year's Hometown Heroes panel features four superstar retailers, Link Melley of Freedom Furniture, Chad Spencer of Dufresne Spencer Group, Tom Phillips of Weekends Only and Jeff Frank of vertically integrated Simplicity Sofa.
     Leggett & Platt's Mark Quinn will share how to really plug into Social Media, Alliance Data's Scott Gamble will show why "unplugging" is the best way to reach today's connected consumer and four bright young retailers, part of Next Generation Now, will address today's key issues from their perspective.
     This is going to be a great time together and I'd love to see you there. For more information, go online to: http://accentsandfurnishings.com/conferences/leadership/