SHFA Conference Set for Charleston, S.C.

April 6, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on April 7, 2010

The Southern Home Furnishings Assn. will meet June 13-15 at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel Historic District in Charleston, S.C., for its 2010 Conference, themed "Old World Traditions, New World Challenges."

This year's conference opens with a "Retail Business Remodel" workshop led by Jeff Hiller, president of PROaction Marketing Group. This interactive half-day program focuses on managing independent retail in the current environment and preparing for tomorrow's challenges.  Questions this session will address include: What are the most common mistakes in closing sales; how can sales staff become entrepreneurs to drive their own pre-qualified traffic during slow times; what are the most efficient and impactful ways to reach shoppers; and how can managers increase accountability while maintaining morale. To get the most out of the workshop, participants are asked to come prepared with sales trends, traffic counts, close rates, average sale and marketing plans as available.

The conference also will feature a panel discussion, "Making the Most of Your Marketing." Jeff Child, president of R.C. Willey, Salt Lake City; Bob Sherman, president of Serta International, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; and Sarah Cooney, communications director of Circle Furniture, Acton, Mass., will serve as panelists; and Brent Shealy, SHFA chairman, Economy Furniture, Leesville, S.C., will serve as moderator.

Other conference highlights include retailer-to-retailer roundtable discussions and dinner at Charleston€™s top-rated High Cotton Maverick Bar and Grill, which was recently featured in Southern Living and USA Today.

"The conference is an excellent opportunity for retailers to come together and share stories and best ideas while networking with industry peers," said SHFA President Cackie Jones of Wayside Furniture in Spring Lake, N.C.

The conference registration fee is waived for all furniture retailers (members and non-members) and is $199 for non-retailers. Retail companies who have never attended conference before can receive one free night's stay at the host hotel.  Call (800) 888-9590 or e-mail here for details.

SHFA is a regional affiliate of the National Home Furnishings Association and serves furniture retailers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.