Jun 29, 2009

Americasmart University—Strengthening Business Across the Industry—Exclusively Here

Atlanta, GA—AmericasMart University (AMU) takes center stage this July as the industry’s premier educational program, offering buyers at the 2009 International Gift & Home Furnishings and Area Rug Markets a comprehensive schedule of renowned business classes. AMU—the most complete curriculum in the home/gift/area rug industry—is complimentary to all buyers and features a slate of facilitators, including consultants, designers, writers/authors and business practitioners, with the skills and knowledge to help buyers improve their businesses.

The AMU curriculum offers classes in Retail Business Basics, Buying & Selling and Building Your Brand. Buyers who attend gain hands on experience and benefit from the expertise of industry leaders.

The July AMU course line-up includes:

Fabulous Fourth Quarter Events
Retail Basics – Beginner
Presenter: Lynni Megginson
Sponsored by OneCoast
Light Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Friday, July 10
8:30 – 10 a.m.

Doing Business in the New Norm
Retail Basics – Beginner
Presenter: Melissa Haberstroh, The Burlap Horse
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Friday, July 10
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

How to Use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs and Other Forms of Social Media to Grow Your Business Building Your Brand- Beginner
Presenter: Olivier Blanchard
Building (1) Floor 14, 14-D-9
Friday, July 10
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Gaining an Advantage from Graphic Design
Building Your Brand – Beginner
Presenter: Vicky Jones
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Friday, July 10
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

The One Marketing Tool You Own: Your Web Site Building Your Brand – Beginner
Presenter: Vicky Jones
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Friday, July 10
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Selling Skills: Uncovering Customer Needs
Buying & Selling – Beginner
Presenter: Lynne Peer
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Saturday, July 11
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Handling Objections in the Sales Process
Buying & Selling – Beginner
Presenter: Lynne Peer
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Saturday, July 11
11 a.m. – noon

Dealing with Dissatisfied Customers
Buying & Selling – Beginner
Presenter: Lynne Peer
Building (1) Floor 10, Room 1002 (NEW ROOM)
Saturday, July 11
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Take Control of Your Cash Cycle: Working Capital Management
Retail Basics – Beginner
Presenter: Rod Pulley
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Sunday, July 12
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Essential Tools for Business Decisions: The Income Statement and Balance Sheet
Retail Basics – Beginner
Presenter: Rod Pulley
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Sunday, July 12
11 a.m. – noon

Risk and Reward: Managing Inventory
Retail Basics – Beginner
Presenter: Rod Pulley
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Sunday, July 12
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Educational Events and CRA Exam Schedule**
Sponsored by the Oriental Rug Retailers Association (ORRA)
Contact ORRA for details: 804-270-3195 or orra@orrainc.com to register for events or for more information.
Monday, July 13
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
** Schedule may be subject to change.

Small Pieces: A Window into the Inner Life & Beliefs of Tribal Culture
Presenter: Saul Yale Barodofsky
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Monday, July 13
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

The Art of the Sumak Bag
Presenter: John T. Wertime
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Monday, July 13
1 – 2 p.m.

Walk the Market with Phil
Presenter: Phil Menendian, CRA
Building (1) Floor 4, meet in front of 4-B-1 for the tour
Monday, July 13
2:30 p.m.

Tips on Proper Rug Appraisal Techniques
Presenter: Phil Menendian, CRA
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Tuesday, July 14
12:30 p.m.

Certified Rug Appraiser’s Exam
Presenter: Phil Menendian Education Chairman of ORRA
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Tuesday, July 14
1 p.m.
* Open to ORRA members only

Oriental Rug Review
CRA Recertification
Building (1) Floor 4, 4-B-1
Discussion and examination of Oriental rugs for recertification of your CRA.
Tuesday, July 14
4:30 p.m.

For more details about the seminars and presenters, as well as more information about the Certified Rug Appraiser certification exam, visit www.AmericasMart.com or consult the Buyers Guide upon arrival to Market.