FAI Expo 2004 (Futon Expo) Conference Program to Feature Two World Class Speakers March 21-23 in Philadalphia

Furniture World Magazine

Who is Tom Monahan? During the decade of the 80s no other East Coast advertising agency could top Leonard Monahan Lubars & Kelly. Agency CD and founding partner Tom Monahan won his share of awards on both the local and national stage with big wins at the Hatch, One Show, and several Communication Arts Advertising Annuals. Today Tom brings his special brand of coaching for creative thinking to ad agency creatives, corporate America, and professional groups. His clients include the likes of Dunkin Donuts, Delta Airlines, AT&T, Lipton, McDonalds, Compaq, 3M, HP, Budweiser, Sears, Hasbro, Polaroid, and many other Fortune 500 companies. Tom will take attendees through an intense three hour creative thinking session based on his new book, The Do It Yourself Lobotomy. With idea jogging exercises like 180º Thinking®, and other brain stretching techniques Monahan brings his students to a place where they experience for themselves ways of thinking that generate new ideas and are repeatable. Mike Ward, the Editorial Director of client Rodale Press says, Tom is the best creativity guru I’ve worked with. His approach is no-nonsense. Nothing sugarcoated or made mysterious. His keys are simple, direct, powerful and understandable.” If you have ever sat down at a brainstorming session with your retail salespeople, or with your ad agency, local TV, radio, or newspaper design team and all you come up with is a rehash of last year’s sale idea or a knock off of your competitor down the street then this mind expanding seminar should not be missed. Who is Jerry Epperson? Jerry Epperson is an internationally renowned analyst of the furniture industry. Epperson has studied and analyzed the furniture industry from virtually every vantage point and is a true expert in the field. Decades of study and analysis have given Epperson a unique and expansive knowledge on the subject. Jerry is Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd., an investment and advisory firm internationally known for its furniture industry expertise. As a result, Jerry is uniquely qualified to provide insightful information on the furniture industry from multiple perspectives and against the backdrop of past, present and future trends. As publisher of numerous studies on the demographics of American consumers, Epperson is well prepared to discuss the intricacies of consumer buying habits and expectations. Jerry is also publisher of the monthly publication, Furniture Digest, which discusses current events, projections, ideas and performance trends within the industry. This seminar is a must for those who want to expand their knowledge, their expertise and their business with the help of a globally respected expert. For more information about the Futon Association International and the Futon and Specialty Sleep Expovisit the Futon Association web site: http://www.futon.org.