Jun 5, 2014

Powerful Seminar Series Planned for Summer Las Vegas Market

The upcoming Summer Las Vegas Market, July 27-31, will be highlighted by an original series of programs and educational sessions led by top industry influencers as well as many leaders from various fields of business and design. The complimentary roster of sessions will be retail-facing as well as design-focused, and present attendees with a broad range of topics including merchandising, color and product trends, e-commerce and digital strategies, customer loyalty and sales training techniques, plus much more.

“Each market, we aim to deliver a compelling slate of programs that adds value to attendees’ experience and gives them meaningful take-aways that will benefit their businesses,” said Scott Eckman, chief marketing and strategy officer of International Market Centers (IMC). “This Summer we are pleased to present a platform for thought leaders from both inside and outside of the home furnishings and gift industries that covers hot-button business issues facing retailers today, along with inspired trend presentations from top design authorities.”

Notable fashion-focused seminars will include “Sherwin-Williams 2015 Colormix™ Color Forecast,” by Laurie E. Clark of the Sherwin-Williams Company; “Ahead of the Curve,” with iconic designers Thom Filicia, Michelle Naussbaumer, Timothy Corrigan, moderated by Susanna Salk; a double-header FIRST LOOK program with special guests Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, and Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield of Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design, hosted by Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media; a look at the “Anatomy of Antiques: An Insider’s Guide to Trends in Vintage & Antiques, Sourcing Secrets Locally and Abroad and Must-Knows of Style” presented by The Antiques Diva Toma Clark Haines; plus a special “Behind the Design” panel discussion of NBC’s first season of “American Dream Builders” with the show’s winner Lukas Machnik, celebrity designer host Monica Pederson and some favorite contestants from the show.

Retailers seeking insightful business-oriented programs can start with a glimpse into the future with Silicon Valley insider Michael Tchong, Founder of Social Revolution, with a session entitled “The Future of Technology & Innovation and Its Impact on the Retail Industry;” Suzy Teele of Snap Retail will present two different sessions on the digital landscape, “Should You Open an Online Storefront?” and “Driving Sales with the Secrets of Social Sharing;” Becky Tyre of GIFT SHOP Magazine will share the “The Big Picture: Marketing Your Store to Get the Most from the Biggest Shopping Days of the Year!;” Anne Obarski of Merchandise Concepts will present “Be an Undercover Boss: Clues to Create a Team of Super Heroes” along with a second session “Contagious Service: 6 Steps to Training Retail Superstars;” and finally, “Enduring Loyalty,” presented by Louis Roden of Inspire Consulting Group, will help define service that builds customers for life and drives sales long term.

Furthermore, IMC is also pleased to partner with leading industry associations and educators to present highly focused educational events that run parallel to Las Vegas Market Week. The North American Home Furnishings Association (NAHFA) hosts a series of week-long seminars in their Retailer Resource Center located in Building B, Suite B-1050. In addition, the Museum Store Association is presenting a “Retail Boot Camp,” led by Joan Doyle of Doyle + Associates, designed to strengthen retail management skills for museum institutions, zoos, aquariums, hospital gift shops, specialty independent gift and lifestyle stores; more information can be found at museumstoreassociation.org. Finally, Interior Design Camp will be a two-day seminar on Wednesday and Thursday of Market Week, hosted by Celebrity Interior Designers Kelli Ellis and Lori Dennis. Event information and registration is available at designcamp.com.

The complete seminar calendar for Summer 2014 Las Vegas Market includes:

Sunday, July 27, 2014

9:00am – 9:45am

First Time Buyer Orientation

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

10:00 – 11:00am

FIRST LOOK: Home Furnishings

Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield, Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design

Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

Hollywood’s award-winning design duo Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield will dish with home editor Julie Smith Vincenti about Summer Market’s best new products in furniture, area rugs, lighting, textiles plus share trend insights for the year ahead. (0.1 CEU)

11:30am – 12:30pm

Should You Open an Online Storefront, Sponsored by Surya

Suzy Teele, SnapRetail

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

Are you a brick-and-mortar store deciding whether to sell online? This session will outline the key issues to consider from a technology, business, marketing and sales perspective. (0.1 CEU)

1:00 – 2:00pm

Future of Technology and Innovation and Its Impact on the Retail Industry

Michael Tchong, Social Revolution

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

In an exhilarating ride through the “landscape of now,” attendees will learn the trends impacting retailing—from millennials to design to brand innovation. In this entertaining and informative talk, you will learn how “Ubertrends” are reshaping American values and how these changes are reinventing our way of living.

3:00 – 4:00pm

The Big Picture: Marketing your store to get the most from the biggest shopping days of the year!

Becky Tyre, GIFT SHOP Magazine

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

Explore vital retail marketing and merchandising ideas to maximize store traffic and increase sales for the final few months of the year. (0.1 CEU)

Monday, July 28, 2014

9:00 – 9:15am

First Time Buyer Orientation

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

10:00 – 11:00am

FIRST LOOK: Tabletop & Gifts

Joy Cho, Oh Joy! and Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

This signature program highlights the best-of-show in giftware, tabletop, textiles, and decorative objects. Home furnishings editor Julie Smith of Nine Muses Media will be joined by designer, author and lifestyle blogger, Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, to dish on the season’s best new home décor and gift products at Las Vegas Market as well as forecast what’s on-trend for the year ahead.

11:30am – 12:30pm

Be an “Undercover Boss”: Clues to create a team of super heroes!, Sponsored by Surya

Anne Obarski, Merchandise Concepts

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

If you were to become a frontline employee for a while in your business what do you think you might find that could be changed or improved? What could you do with that information to create happier employees and an improved culture? Learn “why” employees quit leaders—not companies. (0.1 CEU)

1:00 – 2:00pm

Tastemaker Exclusive Tour with Joy Cho

Joy Cho, Oh Joy!

Building C

Want the scoop on lifestyle expert Joy Cho’s favorite products and resources at Market? Join her for a limited-availability and exclusive tour. For more info visit http://www.lasvegasmarket.com/show-highlights/tours.

1:00 – 2:00pm

Sherwin-Williams 2015 Colormix™ Color Forecast

Laurie E. Clark, The Sherwin Williams Company

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

What color is your happy place? Whatever hues light up your personal spectrum, you’ll find them in the Sherwin-Williams 2015 Colormix™ color forecast. (0.1 CEU)

3:00 – 4:30pm

Behind the Design of “American Dream Builders”

Show Winner Lukas Machnik, joined by contestants Dann Foley, Erinn Valencich and Nancy Hadley

Moderated by Celebrity Designer and Show Host Monica Pedersen

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

Go behind the scenes of NBC’s bold reality series, “American Dream Builders” with winner Lukas Machnik and fellow contestants, Dann Foley, Erinn Valencich, and Nancy Hadley, and celebrity host Monica Pedersen. Panel will discuss breaking into TV and maintaining creativity under the spotlight.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

10:00 – 11:30am

Ahead of the Curve

Thom Filicia, Michelle Naussbaumer, and Timothy Corrigan, Moderated by Susanna Salk

Building B, 16th Floor, WorldView Ballroom

Acclaimed design luminaries Thom Filicia, Michelle Nussbaumer and Timothy Corrigan join moderator Susanna Salk for the always-popular Ahead of the Curve. These all-star designers will scour Las Vegas Market to share their best finds during a live panel discussion, plus their take on trends in the year ahead. A meet & greet with panelists and book signing will follow. (0.2 CEU)

10:00am – 2:00pm

Museum Store Association: Retail Boot Camp

Joan Doyle, Doyle + Associates

Created for retailers from museum institutions, zoos, aquariums, hospital gift shops, specialty independent gift and lifestyle stores, Boot Camp will inspire attendees and focus on operating a successful store, including industry best practices. Register at www.museumstoreassociation.org.

11:30am – 12:30pm

ENDURING LOYALTY – Providing Service that Builds Customers for Life & Drives Sales Long Term, Sponsored by Surya

Louis Roden, Inspire Consulting Group

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

How to build a deep, lasting service culture with your team and how your team brings that culture to life with your customers will be shared at this must-attend panel for business owners.

11:30 am – 1:30pm

Meet & Greet and Book Signing with Thom Filicia, Timothy Corrigan and Susanna Salk

Safavieh’s showroom (A-101)

Meet the 2014 Ahead of the Curve Designers following their presentation. Guests will enjoy lunch and conversation, along with book signings by Thom Filicia, Timothy Corrigan and Susanna Salk.

3:00 – 4:00pm

Anatomy of Antiques: An Insider’s Guide to Trends in Vintage & Antiques, Sourcing Secrets Locally and Abroad, and Must-Knows of Style

Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva & Co European Tours

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

Attendees will get a crash course in the latest antique trends in Europe, what designers and dealers are sourcing abroad, forecast what’s on the horizon, plus a cheat sheet on style guidelines. (0.1 CEU)

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

10:00 – 11:00am

Driving Sales with the Secrets of Social Sharing, Sponsored by Surya

Suzy Teele, SnapRetail

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

Sharing content within the social landscape leads to an exponential growth in product sales and brand exposure. Learn the secrets of social sharing to expand your customer base. (0.1 CEU)

11:30am – 12:30pm

CONTAGIOUS Service! 6 Steps to Training Retail Superstars!, Sponsored by Surya

Anne Obarski, Merchandise Concepts

Building C, LVDC Seminar Room, C174

How charismatic is your business? Are you doing business 24/7? In this world of “always open”, do your potential customers know what you do and how to find you and are you sure that they will “make the call”? Discover who your target customer really is and creating a sales team of stars.

Las Vegas Market is the leading furniture, home decor and gift marketplace in the western U.S., presenting 2,000+ gift, home décor and furniture resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of gift, furniture and home décor lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. The Summer 2014 Las Vegas Market runs July 27-31, 2014, at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.