The Las Vegas Market has announced an expansion of its long-standing partnerships with three major non-profit industry associations – Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP), Museum Store Association (MSA), and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) – to develop an exclusive three-part Non-Profit Retail Symposium at the Summer 2017 Las Vegas Market to be held July 30 to August 3. The educational program will address advocating to administration and selling to Millennials and will be augmented by a networking opportunity for association members and non-members alike.
“Las Vegas Market is proud to partner with these three leading non-profit industry associations to develop at-Market programming and events with tangible benefits for their members,” says Dorothy Belshaw, President/Gift Leasing and Chief Marketing Officer for International Market Centers. “As the leading furniture, home décor, and gift destination in the western U.S., Las Vegas Market is meaningfully committed to helping the lucrative – but often-overlooked – non-profit retail category identify and address growth opportunities and important business issues.”
On Monday, July 31 (2pm-3pm, Pavilions Seminar Room) How to Advocate to Administration will address how non-profit retailers can meaningfully present contributions to administration, integrate best practices, and “have a seat at the table.” Julie Steiner, Director/Retail Operations at The Barnes Shop in Philadelphia and President of MSA, will moderate. Panelists include Susan Tudor of Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla., Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn of Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Calif.; and Yvonne Miles of San Diego Zoo. RSVP at http://imcenters.
On Monday, July 31 (5pm-6:30pm, Pavilions Seminar Room), a special Non-Profit Networking Reception will provide an opportunity for non-profit retail experts from across the country to meet and mingle. Complimentary food and beverages will be served. Existing and prospective association members and vendors are welcome. RSVP at http://imcenters.
On Tuesday, August 1 (noon-1:30pm, Pavilions Seminar Room), Selling to Millennials will address how to define Millennials and how to position stores and products to appeal to this misunderstood demographic. ZAG member Melinda Greene, retail manager/gift shop buyer at Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Mo., will moderate. The panelists are Melody Caban of Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Tx.; Brandan Johnson of Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisc.; Karli Stroh of Integris Health in Oklahoma City; Heather Barnes of Intermountain The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Murry, Utah; Kaitlyn Bailey of John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Michael Balbone of Perez Art Museum, Miami; Kate Botelho of Preservation Society of Newport County in Newport, RI; Sally Miller of UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio; and Aubrey Herr of Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. A boxed lunch will be served. RSVP at http://imcenters.
Las Vegas Market will host several other seminars and special events to cater to the non-profit retail community, including hosting the annual meeting of the ZAG board of directors. Both AHVRP and MSA will lead curated docent tours of top products for hospital gift shops and museum stores, respectively. Tour groups are limited to 20 buyers and RSVP is required. RSVP at http://imcenters.
