Nov 17, 2011

Gift+Home Offers Industry Practical, Educational Seminars for Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market

Gift+Home today announced its exciting lineup of complimentary educational seminars during the upcoming Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2012.

One seminar new to the winter Gift+Home show will be American Independent Business Alliance Co-founder Jeff Milchen’s presentation “Strength in Numbers: Building Effective Buy Independent/Buy Local Campaigns.” In this educational discussion highlighting rapidly spreading “Buy Independent/ Buy Local” movements, Milchen showcases how properly executed initiatives can influence local culture and lead buyers to choose local independent businesses more frequently, in lieu of retail chains or online shopping. This presentation will guide attendees through key components of building a “Buy Independent/ Buy Local” campaign, which can create real shifts in spending habits, while pointing out common pitfalls to avoid. Milchen will hold two seminars, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to noon in Building C, Suite C-352.

“Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market is dedicated to supporting independent and local gift and home décor retailers by offering relevant and practical content that both informs on current trends and business practices, as well as provides tools to navigate through challenging times,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. “Part of being the west’s premier destination for the gift and home industry means not only creating a compelling market experience for buyers and sellers, but also serving as an educational resource where retailers can walk away with concepts and plans that will positively impact their bottom line. These events and seminars add just one more incentive for buyers to attend Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market.”

Gift+Home attendees are encouraged to take part in theses special programs throughout the week, all of which are complimentary.

COMPLIMENTARY SEMINARS:

FIRST LOOK
Mon., Jan. 30 at 10 a.m., World Forum, 16th Floor of Building B

Join home furnishings trend experts as they dish about everything hot for the winter season during Las Vegas Market’s First Look. Fast-paced and highly-visual, they will divulge the newest looks in bedroom and accent furniture, upholstery, lighting, area rugs, wall décor and more. Noteworthy designs from Gift+Home and Vegas Kids also will be featured. The companion products guide will be given to attendees to help them fast track to the latest trends at Market (while supplies last).

FIRST TIME BUYERS ORIENTATION
Mon., Jan. 30 & Tues., Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.

Take advantage of this special orientation designed to help you maximize your buying time and inform you about the many resources, destinations, seminars and events that Las Vegas Market has to offer.

HOW INDEPENDENT RETAILERS CAN MAKE MONEY USING DAILY OFFERS
Tues., Jan. 31 at 9:30 a.m.
Presented by Crystal Vilkaitis

Think only big-box companies can use daily deals to sell products and drive customers to their stores? Worried deal sites cut out the independent retailer? Then you won’t want to miss this seminar! We’ll explain how daily offers work and how you can increase sales with this new marketing phenomenon; finding your place in the deal space. The offers may be limited, but the possibilities are endless.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: BUILDING EFFECTIVE “BUY INDEPENDENT/BUY LOCAL” CAMPAIGNS
Tues., Jan. 31 & Wed., Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.
Presented by Jeff Milchen, AMIBA

“Buy Independent/Buy Local” campaigns are spreading rapidly, with good reason. Properly done, such initiatives can influence local culture and lead many people to choose local independent businesses more frequently in lieu of chains or online shopping. This presentation will guide you through key components of building a campaign that can create real shifts in local culture and spending, while pointing out common pitfalls to avoid. Presented by Jeff Milchen, co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance.

PROVEN RETAILER SUCCESS USING SOCIAL MEDIA
Tues., Jan. 31 at 2 p.m., Building C, Suite C-352
Presented by Crystal Vilkaitis

After working with 100’s of retailers in the past year, Crystal Vilkaitis has compiled case studies and has listed the top tactics that work for retailers. During this seminar she’ll help you understand how you can implement them into your stores.

EASY TO IMPLEMENT CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAMS THAT TRACK THEMSELVES
Tues., Jan. 31 at 3 p.m., World Forum, 16th Floor of Building B
Presented by Christi Tullis

Join former award winning retailer/designer and social media marketing guru, Christi Tullis, to learn how to incorporate a loyalty program with little or no work on your part. Build brand loyalty, keep the attention of current customers and attract potential customers-all while increasing sales.

A PERFECT MATCH: INTEGRATING SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAIL MARKETING TO INCREASE FOOT TRAFFIC
Wed., Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m., Building C, Suite C-352
Presented by Crystal Vilkaitis

Vilkaitis will teach you how to create a cohesive marketing plan using email and social media to drive feet from the street – and into your store! Find out how to catch casual browsers’ eyes and make the connection that could lead to you gaining a lifelong customer.

BEHIND THE BULB BAN: INCOMING LIGHTING LEGISLATION AND LED TECHNOLOGY
Wed., Feb. 1 at 10 a.m., World Forum, 16th Floor of Building B
Presented by Joe Rey-Barreau

Despite rumors to the contrary, incandescent lighting is not completely going away, but incandescent lighting as we have known it for more than 100 years is changing. As the first provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 go into effect nationwide January 2011, popular standard incandescent light bulbs will being to be phased out and replaced with energy-efficient alternatives in the marketplace. What does this mean — and what doesn’t it mean — for interior designers and retailers who sell portable lamps and lighting? And what should everyone know about the benefits and limitations of LED and CFL lighting? Longtime lighting educator, designer, architect and University of Kentucky College of Design associate professor Joe Rey-Barreau, AIA, will explain how legislation and other shifts are affecting the lighting landscape. He will also demystify emerging technologies and the appropriate applications for them, many of which represent new opportunities. Sponsored by Residential Lighting and Home Fashion Forecast magazines.

DESIGNS ON FILM: A CENTURY OF HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTION
Wed., Feb. 1 at 2 p.m., Building C, Suite C-176
Presented by Cathy Whitlock

Join author and interior designer Cathy Whitlock as she previews her book “Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction,” which surveys the history of production design and set decoration, highlighting the beautiful marriage of cinema and design. Followed by a book signing and meet and greet.

CREATIVE MERCHANDISING DISPLAYS ON A BUDGET
Wed., Feb. 1 at 3 p.m., Building C, Suite C-352
Presented by Cathy Whitlock

There’s no question that incredible store merchandising translates to higher store sales. Patricia Norins, publisher of Gift Shop Magazine, will share innovative visual merchandising strategies that will inspire you to create more impactful displays that will help you sell more products! In this fast-paced and highly visual seminar, you will walk with strategies to create unique props, new ways to implement color, ideas to create interesting new signage and effective point of sale displays, and great tips for store lighting.

TOP SECRET MERCHANDISING: CREATE SOCIALLY ACCEPTED HOME DÉCOR DISPLAYS
Thurs., Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., World Forum, 16th Floor of Building B
Presented by Dann Foley and Christi Tullis

Market Must Attend! Join Showtime’s celebrity designer Dann Foley and social media marketing guru, Christi Tullis of PuTTin’ OuT, sharing top secrets to engage your audience through creative merchandising and displays. You’ll learn to open your store doors for the world to walk through and sell more merchandise whether you have an e-commerce website or not.

In addition to these seminars, other special events and amenities will be available to attendees include free Wi-Fi on campus, complimentary shuttle to/from host hotels, free parking in multi-level onsite parking garage, fully-equipped Internet lounges and convenient café and food kiosks.

To register for Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market and to book hotels as low as $39 a night, as well as to view a full listing of special events and complimentary seminars, please visit www.giftandhomelv.com.

About World Market Center Las Vegas
World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center open daily to consumers and designers. For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas and its trade shows including the bi-annual Las Vegas Market and Gift+Home, visit www.wmclv.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

World Market Center Las Vegas is a property of International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 11.5 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. For more information on IMC, visit imcenters.com.