Article Number : 6226 |
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| Date | 12/22/2010 9:45:21 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=6226 |
| Abstract | (ALEXANDRIA, VA – DECEMBER, 2010) –The options abound for distributors and retailers when it comes to the lineup of conference sessions fine-tuned to their interests at Coverings 2011. The international tile and stone show, March 14-17, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, in Las Vegas, is offering a schedule of more than... |
| Article | (ALEXANDRIA, VA – DECEMBER, 2010) –The options abound for distributors and retailers when it comes to the lineup of conference sessions fine-tuned to their interests at Coverings 2011. The international tile and stone show, March 14-17, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, in Las Vegas, is offering a schedule of more than 70 seminar sessions, and nearly half are for those in the sales and distribution segments of the industry. Long the leading tradeshow in the category, Coverings is completely free to attend, and that no-cost policy extends, as well, to all of the educational programming. On Tuesday morning, March 15, marketing specialist Jonathan Trivers is the featured speaker for distributors and retailers. A regular contributor to Floor Covering Weekly and a Coverings veteran, Trivers has titled his presentation, “I Can See Clearly Now.” It’s a session that he says will help shed light on the changed marketplace, whether you call it the new normal, spendshift, or new luxury, Trivers will show you how to recalibrate selling strategies to match this evolution. “We’re so grateful that Jonathan Trivers will be back at Coverings 2011,” said Jennifer Hoff, president of client events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces the show. “He is a perennial favorite who nails it when it comes to sharing valuable marketing advice for today’s business owner in the tile and stone world. And, he’s just one of dozens of top caliber speakers who will be onboard to give attendees the needed strategies and guidance for attaining a competitive edge.” Another encore presenter distributors and retailers repeatedly ask for is James E. Dion. This year his two-hour workshop session is titled “Will We Ever ‘Party Like It’s 1999’ Again,” and he will report not only on the trends shaping consumer spending, but also how those in the tile business can use these as cues in planning their selling and marketing tactics in the year ahead. Architect Eric Corey Freed, founding principal of organicARCHITECT, is going to draw back the curtain and let distributors and retailers in on “How To Reach Specifiers.” His session promises to give insight into how architects and designers choose a manufacturer, how products are specified, and the top 20 things to avoid so your business will be selected. Among other programs likely to resonate with distributors and retailers are “Connecting With Customers Online & Offline: A Business Survival Guide;” “The Nine Essentials For Effectively Selling to the Affluent;” and, “Strategies to Improve Market Share Over Competitive Products;” plus, panel discussions on “Economic Strategies to Boost Ceramic Tile and Stone Sales and Profits” and “International Transportation/Customs Issues.” Addressing sustainability, which remains a hot-button topic, there will be eight core sessions open to all attendees, and those who complete at least four classes will earn a Coverings Green Certificate of Completion—the first time this distinction has ever been offered. “The conference component has always been a Coverings signature, and this year’s track for distributors and retailers is as robust as ever with valuable business-building programs,” said Hoff. “Couple this comprehensive professional development opportunity with access to the best new products in tile and stone on the show floor, and it becomes clear why Coverings is the one show that is a must for anyone in this category of business.” Though there’s a custom track of conference options for each of the Coverings attendee segments, there’s freedom to pick and choose whatever session is of personal interest, regardless if it’s for distributors and retailers or for architects, designers, installers or fabricators. The toughest decision most attendees face is how to balance the time spent on the show floor, discovering all that the 1,000-plus exhibitors from more than 50 countries are introducing, with time spent in the seminar sessions. For more information or to register, visit www.coverings.com. About Coverings Coverings is the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. It has grown to be the largest and most important show of its kind in the U.S., featuring exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracting thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who cover this vital and dynamic industry. Coverings is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world. The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four days and all free of charge. Register instantly with Coverings QR Code. Scan the image using a QR reader application such as ScanLife or Mobile tag and you will be sent directly to the Coverings Registration page. DISTRIBUTOR & RETAILER CONFERENCE SESSIONS MONDAY, MARCH 14 9:00 am–10:00 am Survive and Thrive in a Highly Competitive Market Speaker: Aaron J. Crowley, Crowley’s Granite Concepts Learn the four Core principles of not only surviving, but even thriving in a highly competitve marketplace, no matter the competition. This session covers understanding market dynamics and specializing in meeting specific market needs; forecasting and developing revenue targets and cost controls; PROcess Development - using documented procedures to ensure critical work is done right and on time; and finding and relying on successful advisors and mentors. Opening Keynote/Installation Featured Session: The 2011 TCNA Handbook Presented by the Tile Council of North America One of the most important documents in the tile industry is the TCA Handbook, published annually in book and electronic format. This book is used by architects and design professionals in the specification process. It is also used by distributors, contractors and manufacturers so that they can assist the specifier to ensure a quality sale and installation takes place. The 2011 TCA Handbook promises to be one of the most significant revisions to ever take place. In addition to many new methods and revisions, a new supplement to the Handbook on natural stone tile installations will also be unveiled. 2:45 pm–3:45 pm How to Reach Specifiers: An Architect Tells All Speaker: Eric Corey Freed, Founding Principal, organicARCHITECT When it comes to dealing with the A&D community, what you don’t know can definitely hurt you. This is a rare opportunity to view the architect/specifier relationship from the other side of the table and pick up a few pointers that just might save your bacon. We’ll cover how the architect and designer chooses a manufacturer, how products are specified, and the top 20 things you should avoid if you want to be selected. Economic Strategies to Boost Ceramic Tile and Stone Sales and Profits Speakers: Donato Pompo, Ceramic Tile and StoneConsultants; James C. Gould, Floor Covering Institute, LLC; Stuart Hirschhorn, Catalina Research; Mitch Dancik, Dancik International In these tough economic times, which have affected the whole floor covering industry, now is the critical time for businesses to fully understand their position within their markets and to develop a marketing strategy to take advantage of the current recovery in the residential remodeling market and the future rebound in new residential and non-residential construction markets. It’s vital for all of us to know what’s going on in the market and to understand how the current state of the economy will affect our business and our future opportunities. The panelists will discuss how the ceramic tile and stone industries fit within the overall floor covering industry and how fully utilizing computer technology will help businesses manage and control their profits through these current economic times. The panel will open up the discussion with the audience for a Q&A period. Sustainability: What It Is and How to Put It in to Practice Speaker: Dr. Ephraim Senbetta, MAPEI Corporation; Shamil Baldeosingh, Florida International University Although it is a much talked about subject at this time, the word “sustainability” means different things to different people. The presentation will begin with the accurate meaning of the term and explanation of why the topic of sustainability is critically important to the future of our industry. It will then go into a step-by-step description of how to develop and implement a sustainability program consistent with the three-legged stool model of sustainability that takes into account environmental, social and economic aspects. A measurement system that can be used to monitor and evaluate progress will also be presented. The overall goal of the presentation is to enable attendees to understand the scope of a sustainability program, appreciate its value, and develop an understanding of how to go about implementing such a program. TUESDAY, MARCH 15 8:00 am–10:00 am Stone Trends 2011 Speaker: Vince Marazita, Marazita & Associates From countertops to skyscrapers, the use of natural stone is booming in the U.S. Get an overall view of the market and market trends by attending this 12th annual “State of the Industry” presentation on the dimensional stone market in the U.S. This session will cover information, sourcing, marketing and application trends in the stone industry over the last year, including examples of award winning projects that have been recognized for their use of natural stone. 8:00 am–9:00 am Distributor and Retailer Featured Session: I Can See Clearly Now Speaker: Jonathan Trivers, Marketing Wit and Wisdom The rain and clouds have gone. There has been a clear consumer shift — New Normal, Spendshift or New Luxury — all the result of the last three years. She is back in the market. We will discover where she is and what she wants — and it’s not just price! 9:15 am–10:15 am Wholesale/Slab Distributors Forum Moderator: Jonathan Zanger, Walker Zanger Panelists: Rupish Shah, MS International; Others TBD Back by popular demand! Join us for the 4th annual discussion of strategic issues critical to running successful wholesale/slab distribution companies. This open discussion will cover a host of operational issues, including building strong fabricator relationships, networking with the design community, freight issues and much more. Strategies to Improve Market Share over Competitive Products Speaker: Patti Fasan, Ceramic Tile Consultant, Professional Attention to Tile Installations Innovation in product design has been a major key to success in the ceramic tile sector. Research and experimentation have led to improved aesthetics and an exciting explosion of finishes and textures, in conjunction with a parallel improvement in the technical qualities of tile. The consistent originality of new programs has contributed to increased market share and extended areas of use for tile. However, the chorus singing these attributes remains relatively small; what the ceramic tile sector needs is an industry wide choir. Attention to innovation must also be applied to the industry’s marketing and promotional efforts. Traditional marketing attempts to convince people to buy things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people who don’t care, simply will not work in today’s economy. Innovative methods instead seek to provide the consumer with authentic high-value products and a meaningful, emotional and advantage-based buying experience. These strategies skillfully accentuate the intrinsic strengths of ceramic, and continually portray tile in unique, exotic and unexpected environments and applications. To provide every aggressive retailer with specific tools, an analysis across all flooring sectors will be presented, along with strategies to strengthen ceramic tiles position as a premiere material finish choice. Discover several compelling ideas and concepts you will be able to employ to promote ceramic tile and capitalize on its future opportunities. International Transportation/Customs Issues — Panel Discussion Speakers: Mark D. Irwin, Savino Del Bene USA, Inc.; Rick Fantasia, Savino Del Bene USA, Inc.; Pietro Mancuso, Leonardi SpA Join this comprehenisive discussion on specific techniques for optimizing international transportation costs, customs clearance related expenses and requirements. The panel will address how to optimize the purchasing of international transportation services; understanding and optimizing weight limitations, CTPAT designation; optimizing duty costs through proper U.S. Customs duty classification/biggest common mistakes; and minimizing cargo insurance costs, when to buy and types of coverage. Tile’s Role in Green Building in North America and Europe Speakers: TBD This session will provide an in-depth understanding of the relevance of tile to the green building movement. With a strong focus on building standards, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), it will explain how projects designed to these criteria can incorporate the use of tile. Additionally, this session will provide an overview of environmental tile product standards in North America and Europe and how such efforts endeavor to satisfy the needs of a dynamic green building marketplace. 2:45 pm–3:45 pm Women in the Stone Business Speakers/Panel: Chelsie Arnold, Marble & Granite; Rejeana Ellis, Affordable Stone Products Inc.; Nancy Epstein, Artistic Tile; Heidi Huber, SMG Stone Company The panel of experienced professionals will share both opportunities and obstacles they have faced in their careers within the natural stone industry. After sharing their stories, the panel will welcome questions, so come prepared to share your common interests and network with other women in the natural stone industry. Employers, regardless of gender, will gain new insight into the challenges faced by women in our industry by attending this seminar. The Edge: The Latest Innovations in Tile Speakers: Representatives from TCNA, Confindustria Ceramica and ASCER Join this panel to get the latest on innovations in the ceramic tile industry. Learn about the leading edge technology and the evolving and changing formats of ceramic, including photovoltaic, thin tiles, porcelain and “large format.” Where is the industry headed technologically? Don’t miss this opportunity to see the future and bring your questions. You Can’t Work Here with Your Pants Down to There: Working with Different Generations Speaker: Linda Talley, Linda Talley & Associates, Inc. Are you a Baby Boomer trying to lead a staff/assistants who are Generation X? Or do you have Gen X clients? Or are you a Generation X trying to manage Boomer staff and customers? If you find yourself frequently frustrated with your 20 to 30-somethingish staff or 40 to 50-somethingish staff/customers/vendors, that’s not surprising. Generation Y is now the biggest purchasers who will enter our lives and our businesses in the next five years. This is the first time in history that four generations have been in the workforce at the same time. Find out what makes one generation different from previous generations. Discover what changes you can make to your relationships/management style in order to create generation-friendly work environments. Learn what management styles won’t work with Gen X. Understand how shifting from directing to empowering is the only language Gen X & Y comprehend. And much, much more...you will never look at your kids that same way! He Said — She Said Speakers: Chip DuPont, FIIDA, FIDG, DuPont-O’Neil & Associates; Linda Corley, LCL Productions He Said — She Said, a segment in their new TV series, is a high-energy, lively exchange, between presenters Chip DuPont and Linda Corley, with audience participation. The conflicts take the audience on a journey of varying needs and wants in an interactive learning style that will increase awareness of buyer variety and how to approach the conflict-resolution aspect needed to achieve sales and financial success. In this session, every opinion counts and adds to up to more dollars. Urban Myths in Green Building Use of Stone and Tile Speakers: Fred L. Jackson and Tracy West, Estudio Group LLC Today’s complex green market takes a clear understanding of all types of green standards. Most believe LEED is the only standard for rating green, this myth is not true. There is a need to examine the NHBA Green Standard, Living Building Challenge, Colloborative for Healthy Schools, New ICC green standards in development, along with others to access the the projected growth in this segment. This session will also clarify other common misconceptions regarding stone, tile and other building materials and green standards. Plus, it will cover the consumers’ view of green and why this is important to the survival of businesses today. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 8:00 am–9:30 am Stone Featured Session: Internet Marketing Way Beyond Your Web Site Speaker: Marty Gould, Focalize Now Internet marketing is changing — rapidly. Five years ago, Facebook and YouTube were just being born. Now, technology and techniques that were state-of-the-art just a few years ago are totally obsolete. The days of putting up a Web site and expecting traffic and leads are long gone. Today’s online marketing is all about creating meaningful, worthwhile content relevant to your target customers and getting it distributed through multiple channels: social media, online PR, video, e-mail and, yes, even your Web site. If you’re dissatisfied, confused or frustrated with your current online marketing efforts, this is the one seminar at Coverings that you absolutely must attend. It will change the way you think about, and utilize, the Internet forever. How are consumers finding you? During this fast-paced session, you’ll pick up tips to help you maximize your marketing presence. This course will include demonstrations of proper keyword and tag usage, provide critical insight on how to target your audience to increase Web site traffic and obtain customers via search engine rankings. Gain new insight into the tricks of online search capabilities and what you should be discussing with your Webmaster. You’ll be better prepared to make sure you are in the right place when customers are looking for a stone contractor in your market. 8:00 am–9:00 am The Future of the U.S. Economy and of the Ceramic Tile Market Speaker: Donato Grosser, D. Grosser and Associates, Ltd. This session will examine the U.S. economy and its effects on the housing markets in its main segments — residential, commercial and remodeling. The effects on ceramic tile demand will be analyzed and a forecast of future consumption, by market segment, will be presented. From Chaos to Calm: Transforming Tile Stores in to Serene Showrooms Speaker: Kim Bernard, Walker Zanger Have you thought about how potential clients feel when they enter your store? Have you thought about the fact that you can influence how your clients feel to drive more sales? Join us and learn some simple things you can do to improve your store (and your bottom line). In this session, you will learn the importance of practical issues such as product organization and the value of a good space plan. We’ll explore the importance of creating a lasting good impression. You will learn how to appeal to the five senses to establish an emotional connection with your clients. We will also review many of the practical issues of store planning, including lighting, education and interaction. Throughout, we will review some simple actions you can take to change your store environment, which will make buying and selling easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Sustainability — Buzzword or the Next Big Thing? Speaker: Dan Marvin, Florida Tile Everyone hears the word “sustainability” thrown around in environmental discussions, but what does sustainability really mean? Is it just a buzzword which will quickly fade, or an important trend in better defining “green” product attributes? This seminar will look into the sustainability movement and attempt to better define what sustainability means. The tile industry in particular has a great story to tell about sustainability, so it is important to be able to talk knowledgably about it, especially when selling to clients. We will also examine the next likely developments for sustainability in green building standards, such as LEED and NAHB. 9:15 am–10:15 am Ceramic Tile Specification: Facts, Myths & Tools Speaker: Ryan Fasan, Professional Attention to Tile Installations Specification of ceramic tile doesn’t need to be a confusing process. This session strives to clear the proverbial waters by debunking common myths, detailing useful facts and offering all the tools required to ensure a successful ceramic tile specification under any circumstances. Becoming a ceramic expert is easier than you think! A simple and efficient client interview detailing the scope of the project, intended use, level of traffic and expected maintenance provides all of the information required to provide a quality, performance-based spec. The four distinct types of tile bodies create a no-nonsense rule of thumb that will ensure the right type of tile is chosen for any area. There is, in fact, a tile for every use and a use for every tile. Benefits and drawbacks of both glazed and unglazed formats will be highlighted, including a detailed look at glazing methods and abrasion resistance ratings. The final piece of every successful specification is an ISO datasheet. Attendees will learn how to read pertinent details from these technical evaluations and understand their importance in providing lifelong performance. A good specifier knows that installation is a crucial step in the process of a quality ceramic tile project. Simple installation guidelines, including tips on expansion joints, large formats, material inspection and more, will ensure the project’s long-term success. With the simple facts and tools gained in this session, anyone can select ceramic tile with confidence and exceed their client’s expectations. The Nine Essentials to Effectively Selling to the Affluent Speaker: Christopher P. Ramey, Affluent Insights The wealthiest 10% of Americans are responsible for 50% of the total retail sales. This special niche has a fundamentally different perspective than the mass market. So, it’s no surprise that the messaging and marketing that resonates with the affluent is fundamentally different than the middle market. Most hard surface flooring is a luxury marketed like a mass product. No wonder that hard surface is losing its share of the flooring market! In the future, the most successful companies will be those that are customer-centric. This presentation is important because knowing luxury and affluent consumers is imperative to selling high-end products. We’ll discuss and make sense of the latest research, as well as use other luxury brands as case studies. Attendees will take away an understanding of who the affluent are, their beliefs and attitudes, and the messages and merchandising necessary to effectively resonate with them. Practical Marketing for Small Businesses: Improving Your Digital Visibility Speaker: Christine Whittemore, Chief Simplifier, Simple Marketing Now LLC Marketing and promoting your business matters now, more than ever, in a world where customers educate themselves online first. You must be digitally visible. The challenge, though, for many small businesses is finding the resources (including people) to market effectively while also running day-to-day operations. How then to prioritize what you do so you don’t neglect activities that connect with customers online and offline, while also delivering business results? The solution has to do with thinking about how you deliver value to customers, creating content that addresses your customers’ needs, and consistently making use of that content across all of your customer touch points. In other words, developing a plan that integrates all of your marketing activities. Using specific flooring and tile examples, this session will demonstrate the value of improving your digital visibility and developing a consistent content strategy to effectively manage the marketing tools available and engage with potential customers to deliver business results. The New Normal Speaker: Sara Gutterman, Green Builder Media Though we find ourselves on the road to recovery, the route is unfamiliar. It’s clear that there is no predictable new normal. Because the recession has been so severe and prolonged, consumers have begun to reset their values, expectations and lifestyles. This session will explore changing valuation metrics, the emerging green economy and products for our future. 9:30 am–10:30 am Environmental Ceramic Tile: Gray Area or Green? Speaker: Patti Fasan, Professional Attention to Tile Installations Ceramic tile is one of the most sustainable building materials. However, the embodied energy associated with overseas transportation and a lack of post-consumer recycled content keeps ceramic tile from making most “green” materials list. Facts are seldom black and white, but the common sense sustainable benefits of tile are not a gray area; they are decidedly green. According to Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and Founding Chairman of USGBC, “People productivity is perhaps the smoking gun that will propel the green movement.” Never before has there been a more opportune time to uncover the truths about ceramic tile. The indoor air quality benefits create a positive impact on people, and this one feature only begins to scratch the surface of ceramic tiles’ sustainable benefits. While energy and water conservation have been prime directives of the LEED program, the next generation of initiatives will focus on user health and productivity. Environmental issues regarding indoor air quality, occupant health and safety, product durability and replacement frequency, affordability, maintenance/cleaning products and the ecosystem, as well as the burden on landfill sites, will have participants questioning whether they have addressed all aspects of building green. 1:30 pm–2:30 pm Architecture and Design Featured Session: Color Directions: Twists, Turns and Trends Speaker: Leatrice Eiseman, Eiseman and Associates, Inc. The road map to color for 2012 is filled with interesting new directions. Some paths lead to exhilarating tones that encourage the prospective buyer or client to forge ahead into adventures with novel color combinations, while others invite them to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, relax and consider the more classic hues in a different kind of “mix.” The continuing challenge and goal will be in keeping the consumer visually engaged by blending the playful with the practical. To reach that destination, color is the compass. This session will guide you through future color and style directions. 2:45 pm–3:45 pm Introducing Social Media in to Your Stone Company’s Marketing Plan Speaker: Sarah Johnson, Mktng Dept Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media tools are engulfing the world of communication today. User demographics show that it’s not just the 20-something age group using these communication tools. This session will cover some easy-to-implement strategies to get your stone business into the social media world. Several case studies will be presented to showcase best practices that will demonstrate how to get started and how to manage existing and new relationships through social media. Shareholder Disputes and Their Impact on Family Businesses/Partnerships Speaker: Duane Burke, Eco Breeze Inc. Many stone companies are family-owned or partnerships. Learn about the importance of “prenups,” operating agreements and exit agreements, including pre-agreed valuation method, etc. Duane Burke will share the ramifications and impact on your business if no agreements exist and/or are not followed. In today’s business environment, having the right documents in place is crucial to maintaining a clear path for your business. Understanding Your Financial Rights with Customers Speaker: William Maud, BBA, MACE, CHRD, ABD, Cer-Tile Designs This presentation will expose subcontractors and other industry professionals to their financial rights regarding a customer’s obligation of payment. The law concept of “Quantum Meruit” will be explained in depth with industry examples and workable solutions. Power Persuasion: Unleash Your Hidden Influence Skills Speaker: Maura Schreier-Fleming, Best@Selling If you’re looking for an edge in business today and want to be prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow, persuasion strategies can be just what you need. Successful business professionals know which persuasion strategies to use and how to use them. There are simple and effective ways to incorporate more persuasion in your business with exhibitors, participants, subordinates and sponsors. You can use these strategies, but only if you know what they are and how to use them. Customer Retention Strategies Speaker: Lisbeth Calandrino, Fabulous Floors Magazine When the economy is tough, businesses spend more time recruiting new customers rather than taking care of existing ones. In addition, the average business annually loses 10% of its customers. Retention strategies must be defined and measured if companies are to survive such a significant loss. THURSDAY, MARCH 17 8:30 am–10:30 am Journey from the Center of the Earth Speaker: Joshua Levinson, Artistic Tile This session will explore stone’s journey from the quarry to finished product, now and in the past. Providing insight into the great stone regions of the world and the U.S., this presentation will cover various quarrying techniques, the transportation of stone historically and today, the cutting and fabrication process for natural stone, all in order to render knowledge on workmanship and practice. With the purpose of offering knowledge on the basic sequencing of processes for natural stone, taking you from the quarry to the installation, this CEU will help architects and designers make nuanced decisions on use of natural stone. Connecting with Customers Online & Offline: Business Survival Guide Speakers: Christine Whittemore, Simple Marketing Now LLC; Paul Friederichsen, BrandBiz The challenge for many small businesses is connecting with customers, particularly the right customers. We can no longer wait for customers to come to us. Instead, we must figure out how to connect with them online and offline and invite them into our space to complete the sales process. That connection process requires that a business have the basics/fundamentals taken care of. A retailer must understand how he or she is unique in his or her marketplace, who the ideal customers are, what matters to them and how to offer them value. Furthermore, the product assortment and display, branding, retail experience and sales associate aspects of the business must be buttoned up. Ultimately, a business must focus on customers and solving their problems, and everyone within the business must have that mindset. This session will examine which tools are available to businesses for connecting with customers, from the physical (e.g., store/showroom, Web site) to the traditional (e.g., advertising, radio, TV) to the interactive (e.g., networks, conversations, seminars, communications online and offline), and will then develop a framework for connecting with customers, which will include what to say and how frequently, when to say it, which tool to use, how to integrate online with offline, and how to measure results so you can improve. You can’t win shouting at customers. You can be heard, though, if you listen and provide relevant value and solve problems, and truly connect with customers online and offline. Will We Ever “Party Like It’s 1999” Again? Speaker: James E. Dion, Dionco Inc. This session will take an exciting look at where the American consumer will be in 2011, how they will spend and what it will take to get their attention and open their wallets. This presentation is doubly effective because it will not only describe the critical trends that are shaping consumer behavior, but more importantly, it will describe how retailers and service organizations can take advantage of these insights by giving specific tactical behaviors that will positively impact their business. 10:30 am–11:30 am Genuine Stone — A Natural Choice for Sustainable Design Speaker: Joshua Levinson, Artistic Tile This session will be an introduction to sustainable design and the sustainability movement, and will describe how genuine stone makes an appropriate, natural material design choice that will contribute to a sustainable design solution over a project’s lifecycle. Learning objectives will include: • Recalling several objectives of sustainable design • Understanding some characteristics of genuine stone and their relevance to sustainable design • Identifying ways to reduce environmental impacts when selecting and sourcing genuine stone • Explaining how genuine stone was used to support sustainable design goals, upon reviewing case study examples |