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.
