May 13, 2013

California Gift Show Announces Expanded Seminar Schedule For Summer 2013 Edition

Urban Expositions has expanded the free educational offerings for retailers attending the July 19-22, 2013 California Gift Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Offering solutions and strategies for many of the key issues and challenges retailers face today, the expanded program is designed to complement the show’s ever-growing product roster with a series of business-building sessions led by top business consultants, visual merchandisers, fellow retailers and social media specialists.

Running throughout the 4-day event, all educational programs are free to registered buyers. Retailers can check the show website – www.californiagiftshow.com and the official show directory handed out on show site for complete details and seminar locations.

“In addition to our continued focus on rebuilding, enhancing and expanding the California Gift Show’s product offerings, we also want to position the show as a key education and service resource for the region’s retailers as well,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “So we’ve looked to some of the biggest business challenges retailers face today and assembled a program with top notch speakers who will arm retailers with practical ideas and strategies they can immediately put to work in their stores to sell even more of what they buy here.”

The July 2013 California Gift Show seminar program will include the following presentations:

FRIDAY, JULY 19

It’s Not Fine Wine. Inventory DOES NOT Get Better With Age
Speaker: Lynn Switanowski, president, Creative Business Consulting Group| 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Most retailers wait too long to move slow selling inventory. Tying up precious cash and perhaps missing an opportunity to drive more sales with better selling products. This seminar approaches inventory management from a consumer based perspective. By understanding what your customers are “saying” or not saying based on their reactions to the merchandise your store carries, you can make improved- and objective decisions about how to manage your inventory more effectively. This seminar will focus on:
Understanding the benefits of mark downs to minimize stale inventory
Using improved portfolio decisions to accelerate inventory turn and enhance cash flow position
Applying customer insights to improve category and product portfolio selection
Using sales growth to increase purchasing power – reduce cost of goods sold and improve gross margins

Wowing Customers and Winning Dollars- How To Differentiate Your Store From The Big Boxes -and Get Customers Into Yours
Speaker: Lynn Switanowski, president, Creative Business Consulting Group | 1:00 – 2:00 pm
This seminar explores how independent retailers can find merchandise to meet their customers’ needs while differentiating themselves from other stores – no matter what size they are. Attendees will learn how successful retailers compete more effectively with the big box store down the street by incorporating key tools, including:
How to follow market trends in order to adapt to the changing market conditions
Learning how to identify and understand your store’s target market to choose the right product for each generation of shoppers who walk thru your doors
Understanding how to create a “market-of-one” shopper experience in your store with your marketing programs that will connect more effectively with your customers
Learn how to better communicate with your customers- using the same tools they do in order to identify their likes and dislikes

Getting Started with Social Media (P.S. It’s Just Like Retail) Speaker: Lindsay Anvik, CEO of See Endless, Inc. | 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Social media is a lot like retail. The most important elements involve merchandising, interacting with fans and followers and having an eye for exciting things that people will enjoy. This seminar puts concepts in social media into retail terminology so it’s easy to apply to one’s own retail or wholesale business. Using real seminar attendee examples, Anvik gives a personalized look at how you can help your business grow through social media. Covering the most time and cost-effective platforms, this seminar explores the best ways to tackle social media, gain more fans and increase your sales.

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Retail Store Design: Creating An Inviting Space That Drives More Sales
Speaker: Christopher Gaona, Christopher Gaona Design Studio | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Named one of Traditional Home’s “Top 20 Young Designers” to watch, Christopher Gaona knows how to create a retail space that is sure to draw customers in and enhance their experience while shopping at your store. Join Gaona as he details the design process including innovative store lighting and space planning to make your store stand out among the competition.

Visual Merchandising and Trend-spotting
Speaker: Christopher Gaona, Christopher Gaona Design Studio | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Tell your story through merchandising. Learn how to create a narrative with your product that draws customer’s attention and increases your sales. Plus, hear Christopher’s take on keeping your creative sensors attuned to trends so you can keep both your product and displays current and fresh!

SUNDAY, JULY 21
Top Ways To Improve Your Sales & Customer Service Techniques To Make Your Register Ring!
eaker: Bruce Baker | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
The best thing any business can do to increase sales is to teach the front line staff top-notch sales and customer service skills. From body language and an effective greeting, to creating loyal buyers through customer service, learn proven tips and techniques to get your customers to buy now and come back again and again.

Low Cost, Easy Promotional Tools to Boost Your Business
Speaker: Bruce Baker | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Want to learn how to drive more traffic to your store without spending a huge fortune on marketing and advertising? Then attend this informative seminar focusing on quick and easy promotions that you can start doing today. Hear success stories on what has worked for others to boost their sales including utilizing the latest technology advances from apps, QR codes and more.

MONDAY, JULY 22

Retail Round Table: Best Practices
Moderator: Susan Wagner, Editor, Smart Retailer | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Retail Panelists Include: Dawn Olsen, General Manager, Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA; Richard Bloom, Owner, R. Bloom’s of Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego, OR; and others
Believe it or not, other retailers face the same challenges as you do every day. Join your peers for this insightful open forum where we’ll share ideas with fellow retailers on what works and what doesn’t work. Bring your challenges and issues on everything from social media, vendor relationships, displays, up-selling, advertising, etc. You’ll leave with proven solutions and new ideas you can immediately put to work in your store.

California Gift Show Fast Facts
When: Friday, July 19 – Monday, July 22, 2013
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Kentia & South Halls
Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM, Friday – Sunday; 9 AM – 4 PM, Monday
More Info: www.californiagiftshow.com | 678.285.3976 or 800.318.2238

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is the largest gift, airport and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 28 shows each year. In January of 1996, Urban Expositions launched the semi-annual Philadelphia Gift Show, which has become one of the largest and most successful regional gift events in the nation. Since then, the company has continued to grow through acquisitions and new show development. Based in Kennesaw, GA, Urban Expositions offers a complete roster of trade show management services, including exhibit sales and marketing, operations, exhibitor/ attendee promotions and services, media relations, seminar and event coordination, database development and management. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238.