April 23, 2007
One down, 23 to go—and if all the “Hail and Farewell; Larry Meyer Member Appreciation Tour” breakfasts go as well as this first one in Ann Arbor, it will be an extremely enjoyable spring and summer.
The
Ann Arbor kickoff was great because it was a chance for me to talk with
long-time and short-time Michigan Retailers members, some going back
a full generation. Not only did we get to discuss the outlook for retail
- yes, there will always be a strong future for brick-and-mortar retailers—we
looked at the new products MRA has to help keep retailers in business
and make them more profitable (did you know that our natural gas discount
program is now available for your home as well as your business, and
your employees' homes, too?). We did discuss how retailers in this economy
have to work harder than ever before, but I'm optimistic about Michigan.
The great thing about working with retailers is that every day opening
the store is a positive event!
Some of the concerns expressed by those at the breakfast included why we don't collect sales tax on all Internet sales. The problem, of course, rests not with Michigan—we “solved” that problem by working with Governor Engler and finishing the job with Governor Granholm. Both were positive and great to work with on the “tax fairness” issue.
Now
our problem is to get the job finished in D.C., and that's a different
hill to climb because of all the local interests around the country
that are contrary to ours.
It also was great to intro Michigan Retailers staff who were there. Our marketing rep for that area, Ken Kowalski, did a great job explaining the business services we offer and how he can assist members “up close and personal”—the absolute definition of extraordinary retail customer service.
Ann Arbor was a good start, and we want to get more of our members out to future breakfasts. I'm enthusiastic and look forward to seeing everybody.
For additional information about a breakfast near you, contact Kammy Johns at 517.372.5656 or kjohns@retailers.com.
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SCHEDULE
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April
23: Ann Arbor |
May
8: Livonia 10: Battle Creek 21: Cadillac |
June
4: Sault Ste. Marie 5: Marquette 6: Escanaba 7: St. Ignace 11: Birmingham 18: Wyandotte |
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July
16: Midland 30: Kalamazoo |
August |
September
10: Grand Rapids 17: Bay City or Saginaw 20: St. Joseph 24: Brighton |
