Conference Program:  The Omni-Experiential Future of Retail Marketing

    KeyNote Speaker: Bob Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training
    Date: August 9, 2022 .... Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., Room 202

    The pandemic has accelerated change in retail, but particularly for small to mid-sized independent retail. Pre-pandemic, the store was the focus of the brand, and driving in-store traffic was the main goal of most marketing. Now and in the post-pandemic future, consumers expect many (omni) ways to shop, interact, and buy from a brand. This talk is an exploration of this trend and how to get on the front (and profitable) side of this trend.

    Expect the following takeaways from this presentation:

    • Understand how the pandemic has profoundly changed retail marketing.
    • Learn why the future of retail marketing is 'omni-experiential'.
    • Learn how to apply the omni-experiential concept to market your garden center.

    Speaker Bob Negen, Co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, is a professional retail speaker, consultant, business coach, and author. Bob motivates and trains independent retailers to improve and grow their businesses with practical, actionable tactics and strategies. He speaks to independent business owners in their own language using real-world retail experience and humorous stories from the trenches.

    From garden centers, gift stores, hobby shops, and clothing boutiques to toy stores and pet supply merchants, Bob’s expertise gives retailers tools to gain measurable results. As a retailer Bob turned a single kite store into an award-winning, multi-million-dollar toy store chain. Now he uses his three decades of retail experience to help store owners and managers learn the necessary business skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.

    Whizbang! Retail Training For Stores Big, Small, and Everything In Between
    Learn how our team can help your retail business reach its potential. WhizBang! Retail Training helps retailers of all sizes build great stores. Founded in 1999 by retail experts Bob Negen and Susan Negen, we offer products and services designed to fit the needs of brand new retailers as well as seasoned owners and multi-store chains.

    Our flagship product, the Retail Mastery System teaches the 11 essential skills required to be a successful store owner. Version 2.0 of the Retail Mastery System was released in July of 2016. In 2015 the company launched the Retail Sales Academy, a 24/7 online sales training platform that teaches store employees how to increase sales by providing exceptional customer service.


    Address:   233 Washington Ave Ste. 213 Grand Haven, MI 49417
    Email:  info@whizbangtraining.com
    Contact:   Bob Negen
    Phone:  616.842.4237   FAX:  616.842.2977

             



    It’s Time To Get Together Again ... A WHOLE NEW TRADE SHOW DESIGNED JUST FOR IGCs  

    The Garden Center Show for independent garden center (IGC) owners and professionals is the premier event for IGCs. We bring together the brightest minds and hottest products in one place at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a conference and exhibition. All attendees receive access to exhibit hall, keynote sessions and inaugural networking reception on Wednesday, Aug. 10th

    The Garden Centers of America (GCA) is the supporting partner of the Garden Center Show.
    The Garden Center Show for IGCs brings together thousands of retailers and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and equipment you need to succeed. Register now to discover your next big seller and your next technological advance. You'll save thousands of dollars or your next pioneering idea to take your business to a higher level.

    Registration / Event Directors:
    Rob Bailey:  (224) 355-6947 .... rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com
    Jim Reed:  (224) 688-0858 .... jim.reed@gardencentershow.com   


                     

    • Meet with vendors you haven’t seen in two years.
    • Add variety to your product mix by finding new vendors.
    • Expand your knowledge in peer-to-peer education program sponsored by Garden Centers of America.
    • Network with other top IGCs.

    The Garden Center Show has everything you need to succeed in 2022!

    All attendees receive access to the exhibit hall, keynote sessions and the inaugural networking reception on Wednesday, August 10 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Join fellow attendees and industry leaders for an evening of networking!  

    A Garden Center Tour Designed to Inspire

    Network with fellow garden center professionals and energize your business with fresh retail strategies from independent garden centers counted among the best in the great Milwaukee market, all while saving $100 per team member. On-board moderators will get the wheels rolling, revealing the best practices that put these IGC retailers on top. Then see firsthand what makes them so special as you explore each location. Watch the ideas spark as you fill your to-do list with new possibilities for profit, then get back to your hotel in plenty of time to enjoy dinner and nightlife in downtown Milwaukee. Transportation and lunch included. Conducted in conjunction with Garden Centers of America. Book early — this tour is a favorite among Garden Center Show-goers and has sold out in previous years!

    WISCONSIN CENTER

    400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
    Milwaukee, WI 53203
    wisconsincenter.com

    SHOW HOURS

    Tuesday, Aug. 9:  11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Wednesday, Aug. 10:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Thursday, Aug. 11:  9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    SMARTWORK MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW GARDEN CENTER SHOW FOR IGCs IN AUGUST 2022

    SmartWork Media announces the launch of THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs to be held Aug. 9-11, 2022 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. The three-day national-level event is expected to draw 700 booths and thousands of buyers from across the country. This event will offer special educational opportunities aimed at addressing the most essential purchasing, marketing and management questions that independent garden centers face today.

    The show will partner with Garden Centers of America to bring IGCs a day touring local Milwaukee garden centers on Aug. 9, and GCA will help design the show’s conference program, bringing real-life, actionable how-tos that will help IGCs thrive.

    SmartWork Media CEO Matthijs Braakman explains why this show was created: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there were no Midwest garden center shows in 2020, and at this time, we don’t see any scheduled for 2021 either. The industry needs to have an opportunity to get together to conduct business in 2021,” Braakman said. “With our many years of expertise in producing B2B magazines and shows focused on the retail industry, the new GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs fits well into our model, and we look forward to sharing this expertise with the independent garden center industry.”

    THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs is being directed by Rob Bailey, who has more than 35 years of trade show experience. From 2015 to 2020, Bailey was the show manager for the IGC Show, and he will be bringing his leadership, expertise and knowledge of the industry to the show. “Over the past five years, I have enjoyed working with thousands of independent garden center owners, building relationships and helping to grow their businesses,” Bailey said. “I am thrilled that SmartWork Media has provided an opportunity to continue that work with the new Garden Center Show. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces in August!”

    Bailey’s co-director will be Jim Reed, a trade show veteran of 30-plus years as well, with 20 of those year spent in the management of B2B retail industry shows and two years with the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, a consumer show. Reed sees THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs as an opportunity to educate retailers in new ways. “We’re looking to focus on some new educational topics targeting the interaction between the IGC and their customers,” Reed said. “We don’t want to just give them ideas but to also give them time to develop these ideas at the show. When they leave, they will have a plan in hand that will allow them to implement what they learned immediately.”

    For more information on THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs, visit gardencentershow.com or contact Rob Bailey at (224) 355-6947, rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com, or Jim Reed at (224) 688-0858, jim.reed@gardencentershow.com.


               

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