On Friday, March 18th, an expert panel of seasoned mattress manufacturers and retailers will share their ideas on how these two industry segments can communicate better. This panel discussion will take place during the International Sleep Products Association’s (ISPA) 2011 Industry Conference and Exhibition, slated for March 16-18 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“It's a no brainer that efficient and clear communication between manufacturers and retailers is critical to business success, yet we often seem at odds,” noted Don Hofmann, panel moderator and Marketing Consultant with Louisville Bedding. “During this discussion, industry leaders and I plan on throwing political correctness out the window, rolling up our sleeves and digging deep into the subject of how we can communicate and work better together.”
Panelists Mike Bookbinder, Senior Vice President, Retail Development, Comfort Solutions; Barrie Brown, CEO of et Oyeblikk: Retail Strategies, LLC , and Interim CEO for Mattresses Unlimited,; Karrie Forbes, Vice President, Marketing, Mattress Firm; and Tim Oakhill, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Simmons Bedding Company, will share their perspectives on how retailers and manufacturers can establish more productive, collaborative relationships that can expand the mattress business for all.
Another program highlight for the ISPA Industry Conference and Exhibition is keynote speaker, Dr. Roch Parayre, Fellow, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, Wharton School and Senior Partner, Decision Strategies International. Dr. Parayre’s opening session, entitled, “Blue Ocean - Navigating Your Way to Undiscovered Markets,” will discuss how companies like Netflix and Southwest Airlines have achieved industry dominance by identifying “blue oceans,” which are untapped innovative market spaces that are ready for growth. This approach has succeeded in many corporate, government and nonprofit settings, and is now being taught at business schools worldwide.
For more information or to register, visit www.sleepproducts.org/IndustryConference.
Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents over 600 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.
ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership. These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, the ISPAEarth™ Industry Sustainability Initiative, and more.
To learn more, visit www.sleepproducts.org or contact info@sleepproducts.org.