Aug 14, 2009

#1 Wall Street Journal and New York Times Bestseller to Present Keynote at GHTA Conference

Grand Rapids, Mich.: The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the industry’s non-profit professional trade association, announced that #1 Wall Street Journal and New York Times Bestseller, Keith McFarland will present the keynote address at its 7th Annual Conference to be held in Scottsdale/Chandler, Arizona, on November 19-21, 2009. McFarland will speak to companies about strategic growth, despite a challenging economy.

McFarland is the founder of McFarland Strategy Partners, which provides advisory services to growth companies, as well as a regular online columnist for Businessweek. He is the author of two books: The Breakthrough Company: How Everyday Companies Become Extraordinary Performers and Bounce: Art of Turning Tough Times into Triumph. McFarland has more than 20 years of experience providing catalytic management insight to organizations, and he is a frequent speaker to executive groups. His work has been featured in Time, U.S. News and World Report, Businessweek, Fast Company, Inc., the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and other leading publications.

“We are honored to have Mr. McFarland speak at this event,” says George Kacic, chairman of the GHTA board and 2009 GHTA Conference Co-Chair. “We will certainly benefit from his immense experience and knowledge, and we are looking forward to the valuable insight he will provide to our industry as a whole.”

The conference will provide a great forum for all industry members to share ideas, obtain hands-on experience, and stay on the cutting edge of the gift and home industry. National keynote speakers and breakout sessions will address a variety of topics including buying trends and opportunities, targeted marketing, social networking, the importance of the independent retailer and much more.

“This conference will prove impactful, educational, and life-changing sessions,” says Diane Carnevale Jones, executive director of the GHTA. “Not only will industry members benefit from team-building activities, networking opportunities and educational breakout sessions, they will also be able to take advantage of the culture and history of this year’s Conference location through horseback riding, golfing and experiencing the rich heritage of the Gila River Indian Community.”

To register for the event, visit www.giftandhome.org for all forms and deadlines. A complete biography on Keith McFarland can be viewed at: www.mcfarlandstrategy.com.

About the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association:
GHTA is the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies and industry affiliates work together to improve relationships. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA has four major initiatives: to educate sales professionals; to understand and educate the industry on opportunities for technological efficiencies; to support and cultivate the industry’s independent retailers; and to understand and educate the industry on showroom/trade show costs, statistics, schedules, opportunities and preferences. GHTA can be reached by email at info@ghta.net. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.