ABC Spring Conference registration opens

ABC Spring Conference registration opens

by Gerri Hunt -- Kids Today, 1/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

SAN ANTONIO, Texas —

Registration is open for the Spring Educational Conference, sponsored by ABC Kids Expo organizer All Baby & Child. The conference is set for May 3-5 in Louisville, Ky. Admission is free for qualified independently owned and operated brick and mortar retail stores within the United States and Canada.

The educational conference provides specialty store retailers with the opportunity to gain important knowledge about the products they sell, and learn about ever-changing relevant industry issues that affect them now and will in the future. A small number of exhibitors are hand-picked to participate in the show.

Conference speakers, panels and workshops are planned to provide conference attendees access to the latest topics and industry trends, government regulations that may directly affect them, information about where the profitable opportunities lie based on direct feedback from attendee’s peers, and lively discussion on what is working and what is not working in today’s rapidly changing consumer-driven marketplace.

Speakers

Two speakers are lined up for the conference, Rick Segel and Charles W. Allen.

In addition to being a seasoned retailer of 25 years, Segel is a business author and speaker who has wowed over 1,800 audiences on four continents and 49 states. He is a contributing writer for numerous national publications, and a founding member of the Retail Advisory Council for Johnson & Wales University.

Segel is the director of retail training for the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and is the creator of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Awards of Excellence Program, which has recognized over 50 of the most innovative retailers in the state. He is the author of nine books, including Retail Business Kit for Dummies, Laugh & Get Rich, and The Essential Online Solution: A Five Step Formula for Small Business Success.

Allen has spent his adult life as a founder and builder of leading exhibition industry companies, inventor, professional writer, educator, expert sales trainer, publisher and professional public speaker. Countless exhibition industry veterans credit him with helping create and “develop” the segment of the industry that has come to be known as “Event Marketing.”

Sharing his knowledge and experience with others has led Allen to frequently lecture at colleges, conduct professional sessions/seminars, and to be a leading speaker at numerous major events.

He has stressed the essential value of exhibitions as an integral marketing tool for almost two decades. Allen also heads the Exhibiting ROI-QT Academy, which is a leading (integrated) exhibitor education and training program that has consistently proven to improve exhibitor return on investment.

Allen was recently named executive director of the International Economic Alliance. IEA originated at Harvard University and is comprised of top global government leaders as well as CEOs of leading international corporations. IEA works in conjunction with the U.S. Government to promote U.S. economic relations with other major nations through economic summits and forums.

Allen currently is the chairman and CEO of The C.W. Allen Group, an even marketing consultancy, and two-time INC 500 honoree (founder and CEO of two INC 500 companies).

The trade show portion of the event provides retailers with the opportunity to meet with key suppliers to further develop professional relationships, view new mid-year product introductions, and discuss methods to improve or sustain profitability for all parties.

Lodging

The Louisville Marriott Downtown and Hyatt Regency Louisville hotels are offering special rates to attendees: single or double/$129, triple/$139, quad/$149. The Marriott also offers the Marriott Suite/ $400.

Reservations for the Marriott must be made by April 4, 2010 by calling 800-533-0127 or visiting http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sdflm-louisville-marriott-downtown/ and use group code abcabca for the discount.

Reservations for the Hyatt Regency must be made by April 2, 2010 by calling 888-233-1234 or visiting http://louisville.hyatt.com/groupbooking/sdfrl2010baby. Use group code ABC Spring Conference for the discount.

Conference schedule

Sunday, May 2

2:30-6:30 p.m. – Attendee registration at the Marriott and Hyatt Regency hotels

Monday, May 3

10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Attendee registration at the Marriott and Hyatt Regency hotels

6:30-8:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Tuesday, May 4

8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Attendee registration at the Marriott

3-6:30 p.m. – Attendee registration at the Louisville Convention Center

9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Educational Breakout Sessions at the Marriott

Noon-1:30 p.m. – Lunch buffet with keynote speaker at the Marriott

4-7 p.m. – Trade show with wine and cheese refreshment break

7-10 p.m. – Hop aboard the Bourbon Bus for a trip to the Kentucky Expo Center for an evening of food, fun and networking, sponsored by the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the KEC and Centerplate

Wednesday, May 5

8 a.m.-6 p.m. – Attendee registration

9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Trade show continues (with continental breakfast and lunch available for purchase on show floor)

Thursday, May 6

8 a.m.-noon – Retail associations’ wrap-up meeting, followed by departures.

For more information on the Spring Educational Conference, call 210-691-4848, fax 210-691-4849, email springconference@theabcshow.com or visit theabcshow.com/springconference/index.html.