Signifying its commitment to providing its Market attendees with the tools they need to thrive, World Market Center Las Vegas announced its lineup for its Business Survival Series to be held during the inaugural Fall Las Vegas Market, Sept. 14 – 17. The seminars will feature leading minds who have demonstrated the ability to excel in hyper-competitive environments such as the one the home furnishings industry currently faces.
Headlining the Business Survival Series will be visionary business leader Howard Putnam, former Southwest Airlines CEO turned author, consultant, mentor and authority on business leadership, customer service, change, ethics and strategic thinking. Throughout his illustrious career, Putnam has not only survived but thrived by taking advantage of the opportunities for change and transformation that turbulent times offer. With an undisputed reputation for leading in unstable times, Putnam’s presentation will offer practical and simple steps to reach business goals.
“Some play the game, others change the way the game is played,” said Putnam. “Today’s businesses need to decide whether their model differentiates them from the competition and whether they are followers or trend setters. We decided at Southwest to change the way the game is played.”
“Power Lunch with Howard Putnam” is scheduled for Tuesday, September, 15 at 12 noon in Building C-469 and will include a box lunch. A suggested $10 donation at the door will go to the City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening illness.
“The Business Survival Series is designed to educate and equip attendees seeking ways to identify new revenue streams and maximize their profits amid highly challenging economic conditions,” said Robert Maricich, World Market Center Las Vegas President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have secured some of the nation’s most recognized and respected leaders to share their best practices and how they apply to the home furnishings industry. In a rapidly changing global marketplace, the insights and expertise shared in these seminars will be vitally important to every segment of the industry, and we anticipate enormous turnouts for the program.”
Also participating in the series will be Bill Child and Jeff Benedict. Child is the founder of R.C. Wiley Home Furnishings and subject of the book, How to Build a Business Warren Buffet Would Buy, which was written by Benedict. How to Build a Business Warren Buffet Would Buy is the story behind a family-owned business that had only one asset – a pick-up truck – when it started in 1954; today the company is owned by Warren Buffett and is valued at over $1 billion.
Benedict, in conversation with Child, will explore the R.C. Wiley Furnishings Company’s unique business approach which allowed it to grow from a humble, small storefront into a multi-million-dollar company. Sharing valuable life lessons about leadership, frugality, honesty, integrity, innovation and customer service, Benedict and Child will inspire audiences with this fascinating rags-to-riches story. The discussion will take place Monday, September 14 at 4 p.m. in WorldForum, Building B, 16th floor, and will be followed by a wine and cheese reception and a book signing.
Facebook has become a popular social media website that is changing lives and how the world does business. Many analysts and Web experts agree that Facebook is here to stay and Marketers need to understand the opportunities that are ripe on Facebook, and to embrace and extend their network through the site.
On Thursday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. in WorldForum, Building B, 16th floor, Leslie Carruthers, President of The Search Guru—a search engine marketing (SEM)/search engine optimization (SEO) company—will present “How to Use Facebook and other Social Network Media to Grow Your Business.” Leslie is a seasoned Internet marketing professional and search engine marketer. Her background includes twelve years in Internet marketing and eight years in search engine marketing. She will provide tips for marketers utilizing these new pages including the importance of posting updates frequently and taking advantage of Facebook Advertising to bring prospective customers to your page.
In today’s struggling economy, companies are being forced to diversify and look beyond the nation's borders for opportunities in order to survive. The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides assistance to U.S. companies in their exporting and international expansion efforts. With over 100 offices in the U.S., and in 85 countries, the USCS serves as a global network of trade specialists providing resources and services to U.S. exporters. Andrew Edlefsen, Director Las Vegas Export Assistance Center U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide attendees with valuable information on assistance the federal government can provide. This informative seminar will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at 8:00 a.m. in WorldForum, Building B, 16th floor
Gregory Vargo, President, Vargo Design Licensing, is a New York City based marketing and licensing firm that specializes in establishing product programs for brands, designers and celebrities. On Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. in WorldForum, Building B, 16th floor Vargo will outline the steps involved in licensing strategies and the various business models currently in use within the industry.
“This diverse group of speakers will offer an invaluable range of perspectives from which our attendees can draw inspiration and guidance,” Maricich said. “By tapping into the group’s collective expertise, business operators will return home with a deeper understanding of how to better position their organizations for success over both the short-term and the long-term.”
A majority of Market’s seminars will take place on the 16th floor of Building B. Additionally, the NHFA/WHFA Retailer Resource Center is located there and features a number of resources, including enhanced technology, coffee bar, Internet cafe, vendor space and a “Launch Pad” for new product introductions. For detailed descriptions of the programming scheduled for Fall 2009 Las Vegas Market, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com/events and click on the Interactive Events Calendar.
The Fall 2009 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for September 14 - 17, 2009 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Attendees can register and reserve discounted rooms online now at www.LasVegasMarket.com.
About World Market Center Las Vegas
World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The state-of-the-art campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC), now open daily to consumers and designers. World Market Center currently hosts the preeminent Las Vegas MarketTM biannually in February and September. And in February 2010 World Market Center will debut InspireDesignTM for manufacturers and companies serving the hospitality design marketplace. The Gift + HomeTM show launches in June 2010, catering to the gift, decorative accessory and seasonal industries. For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas, visit www.LasVegasMarket.com.