Jun 26, 2012
The Chicago Market Announces July Seminar Line-Up: Inspiring Programs Designed to Educate and Support Buyers July 19-25, 2012

The Chicago Market announces a robust line-up of programs and activities at the July market. Retail buyers can expect to hear presentations that educate, inform, and entertain.

This Chicago Market, known for their hospitality, will offer attendees an extraordinary line-up from respected industry leaders. One highlight of this July’s seminar series is a presentation by Susan and Jeff Britton and Christy Spencer of Britton Marketing & Design. Best known for their work with Vera Bradley over the last 15 years, Britton Marketing will present their exclusive “Counter Intelligence” program which employs comprehensive tools to help retailers strategically manage their business on a yearly calendar.

Attendees will have two opportunities to take advantage Traci Tarquini’s insight, Director of Merchandising for SnapRetail. Traci will present two seminars on topics that focus on the forefront of retail needs; how to get started selling online and how to convert a cohesive social marketing plan into foot traffic.

“We want our buyers to experience a comprehensive market place complete with seminars that educate them in a fun and creative way. We are focused on helping buyers navigate the business climate in the ever changing world of business to consumer sales,” said Nancy Michael, vice president of marketing, The Chicago Market. “What better environment to tune buyers into increasing their sales and building brand loyalty then when they are actively purchasing products to sell. The great industry leaders joining us this July for our seminar series give our buyers even more reasons to stay and shop the Merchandise Mart.”

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Saturday, July 21
Selling Online: 6 Tips for Getting Started
Traci Tarquinio
Director of Merchandising, SnapRetail
Presented by Midwest-CBK
Saturday, July 21 | Noon | 8th Floor, Room 8A

Selling online can be a challenge for small retailers. There are a lot of options, such as ebay, Amazon and creating your own site. Social media sites such as Pinterest and Facebook are giving retailers even more outlets to sell online – and giving customers an easy way to spread the word. However, less than half of retailers have a social commerce strategy. This seminar will review the pros and cons of various social and ecommerce options and review best practices for selling successfully online. Box lunches will be available, first come, first serve

Shop Late Night
Saturday, July 21 | 6 – 8 p.m. | 13th Floor Showrooms
Celebrate summer in the city at our massive picnic party! Enjoy hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, beer and wine as you shop our showrooms until 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 22

A Perfect Match: Integrating Social Media & Email Marketing to Increase Foot Traffic
Traci Tarquinio
Director of Merchandising, SnapRetail
Presented by Shiraleah Home & Fashion Accessories
Sunday, July 22 | 10 a.m. | 8th Floor, Room 8A

We 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.

Breakfast will be available, first come, first serve

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
Susan & Jeff Britton and Christy Spencer
Britton Marketing
Presented by Melrose International
Sunday, July 22 | Noon | 8th Floor, Room 8A

Retailers face plenty of competition. Online merchants and big box commoditize products and lower prices follow. So what’s a nice independent retailer to do?

It’s time for a little Counter Intelligence. The Counter Intelligence program was developed by Britton Marketing & Design, best known for their work with Vera Bradley over the last 15 years. As a result Vera Bradley enjoys one of the most loyal consumer fan base of any lifestyle brand.

Counter Intelligence employs comprehensive checklists for all aspects of your business and helps the retailer plot their course on a annual calendar. Once you have the basics covered, you’ll have more time to focus on the fun stuff… Counter Intelligence! You do realize the web will never offer a cup of tea, smell like cookies, or offer a comfy chair? Successful retailers know that today’s affluent consumers seek authenticity and are willing to pay for it.

Box lunches will be available, first come, first serve

Monday, July 23

Be a Better Buyer: Everything you Need to Know to Purchase Like a Pro
Panel Discussion featuring
Carol Schroeder, Orange Tree Imports–Madison, WI
Presented by The Chicago Market
Monday, July 23 | 10 a.m. | 8th Floor, Room 8A

Get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your buying budget! Our panel will feature an experienced buyer, a seasoned sales rep and a veteran vendor each presenting their top tips, and then answering your questions. Find out how to make efficient use of your show time, how to get dating and discounts, how to spot trends, and how to stretch your open-to-buy. A great learning opportunity for both new buyers and those with years of experience.

Breakfast will be available, first come, first serve

Partnering with Local Authors: A Winning Story
Diane Falanga, Author, P.S. I Hate it Here: Kid’s Letters from Camp and P.S. I Still Hate it Here!
Presented by Anne McGilvray
Monday, July 23 | Noon | 8th Floor, Room 8A

On the heels of the successful P.S. I Hate it Here comes an all-new, even more outrageous and laugh-out-loud collection of real letters written by children to parents about their adventures at summer camp. P.S. I Still Hate It Here! Selected and edited by Chicago local author, interior designer and mother of two, Diane Falanga, the sequel is written with the same wit and honesty that made the first book a runaway hit. Hear Diane read excerpts from her new book as well as speak about the success of partnering with local retailers to drive book sales.

Box lunches will be available, first come, first serve

P.S. I Still Hate it Here! Book Signing*
Monday, July 23 | 2 p.m. | Anne McGilvray & Co, 13th Floor, 13-245
Seminar goers can meet the author, Diane Falanga, and receive a signed edition of her new book P.S. I Still Hate It Here! in the new 13th floor Anne McGilvray showroom.
*Quantities are limited and you must attend the seminar in order to receive a coupon for a signed book.

EDITOR’S NOTE: to access the complete list of events, lines, showrooms and exhibitors please visit our press room: http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/shopchicagomarket/index.cfm/press/

2012 CALENDAR SCHEDULE

THE CHICAGO MARKET DAYS AND HOURS
Thursday, July 19 – Friday, July 20
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
Saturday, July 21 – SHOP LATE NIGHT
Showrooms: 9 am – 8 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8
Sunday, July 22 – Monday, July 23
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8
Tuesday, July 24
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 3 pm | Floor 8
Wednesday, July 25
Showrooms: 9 am – 5 pm | Floors 13, 14

THE CHICAGO FALL MARKET
eptember 21-23, 2012
Running in conjunction with The International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market

Note: Dates are subject to change, please check www.shopchicagomarket.com for up to date calendars

The Chicago Market: is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). Beckman’s Handcrafted Show™ is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Chicago Market is a quarterly wholesale tradeshow designed for store owners, retail buyers and designers. The market offers a wide array of quality products ranging from home accents and furniture to handcrafted to collectible items, holiday, baby/children’s product, gourmet and more. The Chicago Merchandise Mart is located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. For more information call 800.677.6278 (MART) or visit www.shopchicagomarket.com.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart ; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.


Tags:


Social Connections


📣 Meet our speakers! 📣The Garden Center Show, presented by Lawn & Garden Retailer, is excited to announce our Keynote Speakers! 📣 Michelle Sherrier: Owner of MC Design Academy and host of The Retail Whore Podcast📣 Tim Quebedeaux: Owner of RetailKPI and Service Provider for The Garden Center GroupBe sure to check them out, along with our full, FREE conference schedule for The Garden Center Show, Aug. 6-7 in Rosemont, IL.🔗 Register for FREE: LGRMag.com/GCSRegister🌐 Learn more: www.gardencentershow.com🚌 Bus tour info: lgrmag.com/LGRBusTour#GCS24 #GardenCenterShow #GardenEvents #InPersonEvent #Networking #RetailStrategies #SpecialtyRetailers #GardenCenter #Conference #speaker #keynotespeaker ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Gift Shop Plus Winter 2024
Get one year of Gift Shop Plus in both print and digital editions for just $16.

Interested in reading the print edition of Gift Shop Plus?

Subscribe Today »

website development by deyo designs