Nov 30, 2007

GHTA Hosts Successful Conference, UnConference in La Jolla

More than 300 industry attendees turned out for the fifth annual Gift and Home Trade Association Conference, which was held Nov. 16-17, 2007, in La Jolla, Calif., at the Hilton Torrey Pines Hotel. Keynote speakers and informative breakout sessions inspired the crowd with messages that reinforced the conference’s theme, The Future’s So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades.

Vistage speaker Max Carey kicked off Friday’s sessions with a powerful presentation on “The Five Manageable Marketing Truths,” while his fellow Vistage speaker Boaz Rauchwerger had the crowd in stitches with his energetic, afternoon keynote. Saturday began with an interactive presentation by Mary Liz Curtin, filling in for Randy Eller who was unable to attend for personal reasons. During Curtin’s presentation, attendees shared tactics for supporting the industry’s independent retailers. Finally, the conference closed with an inspiring speech by industry veteran Cheryl Karpen, who drew a standing ovation from the crowd. In addition to keynotes, attendees chose from 38 information-packed breakout sessions.

“Feedback about this year’s conference was overwhelmingly positive,” said 2007 GHTA President Kelly Dierke. “It seemed as though each person took away at least one great business idea that left them believing in their own bright futures.”

GHTA’s first ever UnConference was also a success. Attendees were enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss topics, which were chosen on the spot. Plans are underway to include the UnConference in next year’s schedule on a larger scale.

During the conference itself, members also had the opportunity to elect the 2008 GHTA Board of Directors.

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, industry affiliates and retailers work together to improve the industry. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA hosts an annual conference, and distributes monthly newsletters, to inform and educate its members. GHTA also has a nine-member Retailer Advisory Board that advises on how best to support independent gift and home retailers. GHTA can be reached at 138 Garfield Street, Denver, CO 80206, 1-877-600-4872 / 720-748-4872 Fax: 509-479-5254, or by email at info@ghta.net. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit giftandhome.org.