Academy's spring seminar series begins

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The spring seminars will be held throughout the state during April, May and June and are coordinated by Michigan Retailers Academy, MRA’s professional education division.

One of the most innovative new topics is Resort Retail Merchandising, presented by merchandising and design experts Mike Crosson and Denise Schroeder - both previous MRA seminar presenters - along with Dee Zehnder from Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth. The seminar will be held this spring in Franken-muth and again this fall in Traverse City.

“It’s exciting to bring together these three highly experienced presenters on a topic that is very relevant to the many MRA members who operate in resort areas,” said Kelly Hayes, MRA’s manager of education and events.

Other new seminars will bring in industry experts on topics such as retail security, electronic check technologies, increasing sales and reducing workplace injuries. “Successful Retail Strategies,” a panel discussion offering tips for independent merchants, will feature four Oakland County specialty retailers who will share successful secrets from their own businesses.

Meg Prieur, of The Payments Authority, will show how electronic check acceptance can benefit retailers.

Seminars will be held in:

Frankenmuth:
• Resort Retail Merchandising

Grand Rapids:
• Legendary Customer Service

Lansing:
• Successful Concepts in Retail Security
• Reducing Work-Related Injury Costs

Southeast Michigan:
• Successful Retail Strategies, Royal Oak
• Increasing Sales Creatively, Livonia
• Electronic Checks: New Technologies for a New Millennium, Novi

See page 15 for a complete description of seminar topics and locations, along with registration information.

Return to April Michigan Retailer Page one

Academy calls for seminar presenters

Have you developed a successful business strategy that other retailers could imitate? Do you have expertise in a specific area of retail that you’d like to share with fellow retailers?

If so, MRA may enlist you to present a fall seminar for Michigan Retailers Academy.

“We would love to find knowledgeable and experienced retailers who have innovative ideas on a particular topic and can present those ideas to other retailers in a practical and dynamic way,” said Kelly Hayes, MRA’s manager of education and events.

Some of MRA’s most popular seminar presenters - such as Bob Negen, former owner of Mackinaw Kite Co., and Larry Bird, owner of Gabriala’s in Plymouth - have come from the ranks of MRA members. Both are successful specialty retailers who share strategies from their own experience.

The Association is always looking for new seminar topics and speakers to enhance its educational programs. If you have an idea for a seminar topic, or if you or another individual could present a seminar for retailers, please contact Kelly Hayes at 800.366.3699 or khayes@retailers.com.