Aug 3, 2009

Gift and Home Trade Association Announces September Sales Training in New York

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association, announces that it will host a two day sales training seminar, “Selling in the Gift Industry,” on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23, 2009, in New York. The seminar, which continues to be a highly successful event, will encourage sales representatives to stand out in challenging economic times and will be held at 7 West 34th Street, the New York City Gift Market Building.

“In today’s tough marketplace, sales people need more opportunities than ever before to stand out to retail buyers,” said Clark Orlaska, the GHTA’s education facilitator and the owner of Practical Sales. “Our sales training seminars provide sales people of all levels the tools they need to overcome daily challenges. The seminars also ensure individuals leave a sales call knowing all business is completed during their hard-earned appointments.”

“Selling in the Gift Industry,” which will be sponsored in September by the New York International Gift Fair® and George Little Management (GLM), targets eight topics over two days and allows participants to share their own unique sales, career and life experiences with each other. This allows a wide variety of discussions to occur and encourages individuals of all experience levels to problem-solve together.

“The New York International Gift Fair® is proud to support, and to host, the GHTA’s sales training initiative,” said Dorothy Belshaw, director of the New York International Gift Fair(R). “We value this program, and we will continue to work with the GHTA as it seeks to grow and nurture the industry through programs such as this.”

George Little Management is offering scholarship support, which will reduce the registration fee. The cost for the seminar is $150 for GHTA members and $175 for non-members for the first 20 people who sign up. Attendance is limited to 28 attendees to support this highly interactive seminar format. Normal cost is $200 for GHTA members and $225 for non-GHTA members. The fee includes lunch both days. The seminars, which have been attended by over 200 individuals, begin at 9 AM and conclude between 3 and 4 PM.

Are you a sales rep who wants to gain or sharpen your skills? Do you want to stand out in a tough marketplace? If so, make sure you sign up today! For more information or to register for an upcoming seminar in your area please call 877.600.4872 or visit www.giftandhome.org.

About George Little Management:
GLM, a dmg world media business, is the largest producer and marketer of consumer product tradeshows in North America, serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, surf, skate, water sports, swim and resort. GLM is involved in the production of nearly 30 tradeshows in 9 cities across the United States and Canada.

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.

About Practical Sales:
Practical Sales, which delivers sales management, training and educational solutions to increase sales success, was founded on 20 years of experience by Clark Orlaska. Orlaska, who was selected by the GHTA to conduct all its 2008 sales development seminars, is a former road sales representative, sales manager, and retail buyer. He is now a professional trainer for companies within the gift and home industry.