David Can Beat Goliath

Independent retailers can take heart and fine-tune their strategies for winning in the post-recession marketplace. At CRAFT: The Summit, four all-star business speakers will present innovative solutions for retail success. The one-day conference, New Thinking to Win and Wow Great Customers, will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be co-located with the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE), which is scheduled for April 29 – May 1, 2014.

“We are thrilled to announce four feature presentations by top-notch industry consultants,” said conference chairman, Donna Milstein. “Their broad range of topics highlights many of the essential opportunities small retailers can use to their advantage.”

The speakers are:

Kindra Hall is a professional storyteller, business consultant and author. Featured in the May 2013 issue of SUCCESS Magazine, she is a coach and advisor to high-profile speakers, executives and business owners, helping them craft their stories for success and revenue. Her Summit presentation is entitled, One Story from Greatness and will teach audience members how to find and tell their own powerful stories.

Ben Smithee is the co-founder and CEO of SPYCH, and leads that firm’s consulting to top companies on the topic of understanding, engaging and converting the Gen Y/Millennial consumer. A sampling of his clients include: General Mills, Coca Cola, eBay, and the American Cancer Society. Ben’s presentation, Understanding Gen Y and the New Millennial will provide “a look at what makes them click, tap, tweet and swipe – and how it can apply to YOUR business.”

Amy Meadows is the owner of Windows Matter, a retail design and education consulting firm. She is the former director of Window Display for Marshall Fields/Macy’s. With extensive experience in both the boardroom and the classroom, Amy’s work is centered on the visual merchandising needs of independent businesses. In her presentation, First Impressions: The Art and Science of Creating Your Customer Experience, Amy will share a host of ideas and tools for improving the appearance of your merchandise and thereby increasing sales.

Kate Peterson is the president of Performance Concepts, Inc, a company dedicated to providing innovative and effective consultation in all areas of the Luxury Market. A presenter at the 2013 Craft: The Summit, Kate was universally chosen to return in 2014. Her presentation is Trending Up: How to Make the Most of Today’s Current Consumer Trends. Kate will provide an overview of today’s most current, must-know consumer trends and teach attendees how to learn what people really want – and what they are willing to pay for and enjoy.

Sponsors of CRAFT: The Summit 2014 include: Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc., Artegon, The Crafts Report, Gift Shop Magazine, Museums and More, and Glass Eye Studio. The conference is produced by a volunteer committee of experienced retailers and wholesale artists who are members of Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT).

For further information, go to www.craftthesummit.com.