Ask Finizio about RetailNOW

No Excuses - You Can't Afford Not to Attend

2009-06-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

A recent Forbes article polled CEO’s asking “What’s the most important thing we must do right now?”. They all stated that you need pay very close attention to today’s business while preparing for the future. My final blog before the show is simple - No excuses, you can’t afford not to attend. Ok… So that’s what you’d expect the President of RSPA to say, but I’m just echoing a message I’ve heard from many dealers over the past several weeks. I’ve heard, “you can’t afford not to attend if you want to improve your business and be ready for the turn around…there is no excuse not to attend RetailNOW”. I couldn’t agree more!

Show Update:
As we move into the final week for pre-show registration, the attendee count remains ahead of last year’s show. RetailNOW 2009 will have the same, if not more exhibitors than last year’s show. Those are the hard facts; they speak for themselves. There is a lot of interest in this year’s show as it will be a venue for the industry to truly come together.
Our contacts and Mandalay Bay tell us that they were 98% booked for the month of April and are over 80% sold for the dates of our show. While Mandalay Bay’s booking information may not be an economic indicator quoted in the Wall Street Journal, it does provide some insight that the convention business is on the upswing.

Face to Face Interaction:
28 Dealer/Vendor meetings scheduled to provide you with the perfect opportunity to gather new ideas, solve problems and discover best practices.
Compelling Education: 23 different education sessions and two keynote presentations are lined up to provide you with industry specific information and ideas to help take your business to the next level.
See it, Hear it, Touch it Technology: Over 130 exhibitors on the expo floor along with RSPA’s RetailNEXT pavilion providing you with a chance to see current, new, and future technology.

Great Venue:
Mandalay Bay is a world class convention destination making it the perfect venue for conducting business and a great $119 room rate (with free high speed internet included) will reduce your typical show expense.

To use Las Vegas vernacular…the smart money is with the dealer who is both taking care of business today and preparing his business for the future. You can stay home and use the economy or time constraints as excuses not to attend RetailNOW… But the education, information, best practices, and product ideas, as well as the connections you will make at RetailNOW will provide you and your company with a payback for your expense and time. You can’t afford not to attend!

Don’t hesitate any longer - There are only a few days left to register for RetailNOW. Your next mouse click should be to register at www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW and be at RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.

See you in Las Vegas!
Joe F.

Why Do YOU Need To Be At RetailNOW?

2009-06-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Over the past month I have provided updates on our preparations and the status of attendee registrations. This week I wanted to give you an update on the show content. By the way - attendee registrations remain ahead of last year and we should have the same number of exhibitors as last year.

Critical Meetings
RetailNOW starts with RSPA’s Board of Director’s meeting on Saturday July 11th. In addition to the Board Meeting there will be a Vendor Working Group and a Canadian Committee meeting. There are a total of 28 Vendor/Dealer meetings being held in conjunction with RetailNOW. Some meetings such as Future POS and Dinerware are two day events, others for two hours. No matter how long the meeting, it’s a great opportunity for vendors and dealers to meet face to face.

Compelling Education
We begin and end our education sessions with keynote addresses. In the course of 3 days, you can choose from 23 different education sessions each designed to provide industry specific information to help your business. One of the more interesting panel discussions designed to help your business expand is sure to be Monday’s session which looks at different ways to take retail technology beyond retail.

Relevant Technology
With well over 100 exhibitors and RSPA’s RetailNEXT pavilion you have a chance to see current, new, and future technology up close and personal. I always look forward to meeting and speaking with the companies that bring you the technology that fuels your business. It seems like I always take away new ideas from the show floor.

Great Venue
Mandalay Bay is a world class convention destination making it the perfect venue for conducting business. To reduce your expenses RSPA has negotiated a great price for the rooms ($119 per night with free internet). You’ll also get a $500 “fly back” coupon from Mandalay Bay. Many of your meals are included as part of RetailNOW – Lunch is served on the expo show floor and we have a Welcome Reception and After Party where you can network and gather up great ideas.

Think there’s a lot going on? Well, you’re right! There is a lot going on at RetailNOW and it is definitely worth your time and cost. Here’s how I look at it. You can get immediate ROI for RetailNOW by picking up just one good business idea or learn about a new product that will land that extra deal for you.

Your next mouse click should be to check out our web site www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW for the latest show information and register NOW to be at RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.

See you in Las Vegas!
Joe F.

Hard facts on RSPA's RetailNOW status.

2009-06-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

It’s great to finally hear some good news on the economy and the start of a turn around. Are you and your business ready or are you hunkered down? The smart money is on the people and businesses that are proactive and have adapted to the new business paradigm. If you need information to make these right choices, then RSPA’s RetailNOW is the place to get educated and informed.

Here are the latest facts on RetailNOW:

FACT: This year we kicked-up the quality level of the education sessions a notch. We tweaked the event schedule so education sessions and the expo don’t conflict. Hey, this year you don’t have to choose, you can attend both! Right now it looks like the expo hall will have at least the same amount of exhibitors as last year – and our RetailNEXT pavilion is full.

FACT: Event registration is still running ahead of last year! Even though registrations are ahead of last year, the RSPA team is not taking that for granted. That’s why you continue to get these timely updates, we want you to hear the real facts straight from RSPA.

FACT: This year, we added more meeting space for vendors to meet with their dealer channels and all those meeting slots are full. Several vendors are holding major meetings in conjunction with RetailNOW. That reduces your expenses and saves time. Smart move!

FACT: We worked with Mandalay Bay to lower the RSPA room rate. In the past four weeks I have attended two shows at Mandalay Bay (ETA and KioskCOM). RSPA’s group room rate of $119, including free daily internet and spa access, is the best rate so far.

To sum up the facts: relevant education, an expo floor with exhibitors ready to spend quality time with dealers, and great networking events to share best practices. Dealers, ask yourself: are you ready for the turn around? RetailNOW is worth your time and investment. Landing a new product, one extra deal, or a good business idea will provide you with a significant ROI.

Check out our web site www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW for the latest show information - Register NOW and be at RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.

See you in Las Vegas!
Joe F.

What is the best way to build my business and B2B relationships?

2009-05-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

YOU GOTTA BE SOMEWHERE!

Today, on-line social networking has become a great tool to bring together virtual communities. RSPA has a Facebook group page, a LinkedIn Retail Technology Group, and you will even be able to follow the highlights of RetailNOW on Twitter. But… you gotta BE somewhere. Eventually, people have to meet face to face to create business relationships and share ideas. On-line social networks are excellent tools to provide ongoing supplemental communications but nothing beats face to face time with your peers, customers and suppliers. That’s what RetailNOW is all about. It’s an annual venue to bring our industry together for education, information, ideas and the face to face creation of relationships which will help your business and stay with you your entire career.

I’ve always enjoyed educational conferences and trade shows. For me, the good ones always provide good, relevant information, and the creative sparks which have allowed me to be at the top of my game, ahead of the competition or out front with a new approach to business.

Because face to face relationships are a MUST, you have to be somewhere. That ‘somewhere’ should be the only place Where the Industry Meets - RetailNOW. A lot of other people agree and have already registered (still running ahead of last year) to attend and meet with some world-class suppliers (full exhibit hall is expected), experience compelling educational content (23 sessions and two keynote speeches) and experience the best kind of social networking – face to face.

Check out our web site www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW for the latest show information. and our great room rate at Mandalay Bay - Register NOW and be at RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.

See you in Las Vegas!
Joe F.

How are Show Registrations?

2009-05-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

RETAILNOW SHOW REGISTRATIONS ARE LOOKING GOOD!

The date for RSPA’s Annual Summer Convention and Expo is approaching quickly. For the next few weeks we will be sending regular updates on show preparations and answers to FAQ for RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.

The MOST frequently asked question is “How are show registrations?” To date, show registrations are ahead of last year! Our Super Saver Special worked exceptionally well, but we are not resting. We are continuing to promote the show with targeted marketing programs aimed at providing opportunities for more dealers to attend RetailNOW and meet with their vendor partners. This week we launched a “Bring Your Channel” promotion for vendors who are conducting their dealer meetings in conjunction with RetailNOW.

Bottom Line –It’s good to see business returning back to typical levels. I hope it’s an indicator that the economy is on the upswing, as we see businesses preparing for the future by way of gathering new ideas at trade shows. Check out our web site www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW for the latest show information. RegisterNOW and be at RetailNOW – Where the Industry Meets.