Shoebizness.com Exclusive!! Unless you are a member of the NSRA you cannot find this info anywhere else on the web. For all of you attending WSA, please check out the NSRA Aug 8th conference line up. Key note speaker will be Chris Quinn, EVP of  New Balance. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend, but hopefully someone who goes will be nice enough to share the experience with us! If you are weren’t planning to attend, but would like further info, please see the contact info at the bottom of this post.

 NSRA’s Aug. 8 Conference Will Focus on Business Essentials.

Shoe business essentials will be the focus of six break-out sessions at NSRA’s August 8, 2010 conference, “The Savvy Buyer.” At the day-long event, to be held at the Venetian, Las Vegas, retailers will learn from experts and peers about a range of concerns including family business succession, finding profitable opportunities in financial statements and managing vendor relationships. Other sessions will cover the latest trends in shoes and how to shop for and merchandise them.

Matt Hudson of Big Feet Store in Ft. Worth, TX will lead a panel of experienced retailers on the topic of “Retail Wellness,” what it means and how to achieve it. He will also lead a panel about “Engaging Your Staff for New Merchandise” with representatives of Z Coil and Earth participating.

Maurice Breton, president of Comfort Management Corp., Manassas, VA, will share tips on how to “Maximize the Shoe Show Experience.” Attendees can put them to work the next day at the WSA show, August 9 through 11 in the same venue.

“Effective Vendor Partnerships—Setting a New Path,” will be the topic of a panel discussion featuring shoe industry veteran David Kahan and Jim Sajdak, president of Stan’s Fit for Your Feet. Ray Margiano, CEO of Foot Solutions, will moderate.

Jeff Antonioli, global sales director for Spenco Medical Corporation, will lead a panel discussing ways retailers can analyze their inventory turnover to find sales opportunities they might be missing.

Robert Schwartz, C.Ped, of Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc., will lead a session about “The Rocker Sole Revolution.”

New Balance Executive Vice President Chris Quinn will give the keynote address. Additional speakers include Noah P. Barsky, professor in the Villanova University School of Business, and Gary S. Shunk, LCSW, of Loyola Family Business Center. International business consultant and stand-up comedian Garrison Wynn will close out the sessions with memorable tips on communicating effectively in almost any situation.

In addition to the panels and speakers, more than 30 companies will host tabletop exhibits, with representatives available to discuss products and services that are focused on assisting independent footwear retailers to become more profitable in their own markets.

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Contact:  Nancy Hultquist

nancy@nsra.org
For Release: Immediately
Phone: 301-595-5399