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RMA e-News November 2007

Upcoming Events

Click here for all upcoming RMA Events >>

Member Chapter Meetings!

Open to all members and future members. Please refer to our online Calendar of Events for chapter meetings and locations.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Security & Loss Prevention Association Monthly Meeting

'Tis the Season for Counterfeit Money!: What You Need to Know, and Why the "Magic Pen" May Not Work

Guest Speaker: Special Agent Steven Bowen, United States Secret Service

Special Agent Bowen will discuss the characteristics of genuine currency; specifically what security features are on what types of bills. He also will spend time talking about what items you will see on counterfeit currency and discuss how nothing is fool proof—mainly highlighting that some counterfeit currency may have imitation security features and how the "magic pen" is not always reliable. More info >>

8:30–8:45 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
8:45–9:45 a.m.: Program

Location:
Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Directions >>

Cost: No charge

 


Title Sponsor

Village Bank

Award Sponsor

Patrick Auto Group

Print Media Sponsor

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Radio Media Sponsor

Community Idea Stations

Audio Visual Sponsor

Visual Aids Electronics

Entertainment Sponsor

Skirt! Magazine

Reception Sponsor

Robert Thomas Photography

December 7, 2007
First Friday Forum

Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award and Retail Industry Achievement Award

A very unique First Friday Forum at the Byrd Theatre, with special guests and entertainment, a not-to-be-missed Carytown-flavored breakfast buffet and recognition of our 2007 Award winners. Don’t miss this First Friday Forum! We promise you a program of fun, surprises, networking and great food!

7:45–9:15 a.m.

Location:
The Historic Byrd Theatre in Carytown
2908 W. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23221
Directions >>

Cost: Members, $20; Non-members, $25

After the meeting stick around and get a behind the scenes tour of the Byrd Theater! Space is limited so sign up in advance by clicking here.

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RMA News

Bring a Prospective Member to the Jan. 4 Forum As Our Guest

Help your association grow in 2008. Invite a retailer who could benefit from RMA membership to the Jan. 4 First Friday Forum for free. Just call 662-5500 and give us your guest’s name. You will be handsomely rewarded!

NEW—RMA Membership Guide to be Published

Advertising Concepts, Inc. (A.C.I.) has been selected by the RMA to publish the 1st Annual Retail Merchants Association Membership Guide in January 2008. They are dedicated to providing you with a publication that will truly prove to be a valuable tool…one that each member will use regularly throughout the entire year.

A.C.I. will be producing 3,500+ copies of the attractive full-color guide, which will be distributed to all members, including new members who join throughout the year. Additional copies will also be distributed at networking events and other Association functions held during the year.

To reserve your space, please call A.C.I. directly at (804) 639-9994.

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Member News

Virginia Blood Service and Midas of Richmond Break Record

On November 17, the Virginia Blood Service and Midas of Richmond had their final blood drive of 2007. The results were record smashing donations and attendance!  The 1,202 pints of blood donated mean 3,606 lives saved or impacted!! And 350 turkeys will be donated to the Foodbank November 19. Check here to find out how you can further help Midas help the Central Virginia Food Bank.

The First Impressionist: Eugène Boudin—Now–Jan. 27, 2008

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents the first American exhibition in 30 years to be devoted exclusively to the work of Eugène Boudin (1824-1898), an artist who has often been overlooked in the history of French Impressionism, yet remains one of the most charming and accessible painters of that movement.

The First Impressionist is part of Celebrating Paul Mellon, VMFA's year-long commemoration of the centenary of benefactor Paul Mellon's birth.

Morton’s Will be Open for Lunches in December

Morton’s will be open for lunches in December to celebrate the holiday season.The following dates are open—December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, & 21st for any size reservation (2 to 60) from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Morton’s is located at 111 Virginia St. Contact AnnMarie Grohs at 804.648.1662 or cm_richmond@mortons.com for more information and reservations.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s GardenFest of Lights starts Friday, Nov. 23.

Featuring more than half a million lights, GardenFest has become a holiday tradition; new this year—a bonfire nightly (weather permitting); new lights, forms and themes; new displays in the Conservatory. Click here for more information >>

New show added to the Capital Ale House Music Hall November

Line-up: Donna Jean & the Tricksters
Wednesday, November 28 - $10.00

Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay was born to sing, and over the course of time she’s done so with people like Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge, Boz Scaggs, and Jerry Garcia. Now she has a new band that she’s quite certain is on a creative par with anything she’s ever done. The Grateful Dead alumna has joined up with six members of the next musical generation—Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band; formerly Phil & Friends, RatDog), Wendy Lanter (Hope in Time), and Jeff Mattson, Tom Circosta, Klyph Black and Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters) to form Donna Jean and the Tricksters. Look out! Things have come full circle and anything’s possible. Oh, sure, they’re gonna jam. But the band has seven vocalists and an incredible array of songwriting talent, and DJ&tT is going to make waves in ways you’d never anticipate.

Call For Artists and Craft Persons

Call for Artists and Craft Persons is a new program in which artists from the Commonwealth of Virginia will be allowed to display and sell their work out of the Greater Richmond Convention Center in downtown Richmond. A small application fee of $25 and only a 25% commission on all sold work will go to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

With over 700,000 square feet of space, the art will be displayed in cases throughout the building. The cases are contracted on a four-month basis and will be secure.

For more information on this program please call Kenny Washington, Marketing Manager of the Greater Richmond Convention Center, at 804-783-7313 or visit us at www.richmondcenter.com.

James River Bus Lines Holiday Lights Tours Start
December 1

For the 18th consecutive year James River Bus Lines is offering Holiday Lights Tours of Richmond. The tours will be given Dec. 1–30. Each tour will include an experienced guide with information on the various homes and light refreshments. An optional visit to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens’ GardenFest of Lights can be arranged. Groups can choose from a variety of vehicle including—motorcoaches, minicoaches and executive coaches with limo-style seating. For pricing and booking information, call 804-342-7300.

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FYI

The 2007 Holiday Opportunity from George Whalin’s Management E-News

In the first few weeks of the new year, we all will be looking at the numbers hoping retailers had a great 2007. As happens every year there will be winners and losers. The losers will complain that consumers didn't turn out because of one thing or another—lousy weather, high gas prices, or the housing slump caused consumers to be cautious. Whatever. At the same time, there will be those who hit or even exceed their projections. The difference is the way retailers execute in their stores, how their customers are served, and the attitude of everyone.

I've found that retailers who enjoy healthy sales increases during the holidays take steps to make the shopping experience truly special for their customers. They decorate to create a holiday wonderland. They know that teaching associates to be patient with customers, to smile, and make customers feel good about shopping in the store results in increased sales.

I visited a store of one national chain last year and noticed very few holiday decorations, uninspired music, and dreary associates. When the holidays were over, the company reported a decrease in same-store sales. Wake up!

In my view, the attitude among associates along with the overall look, feel, and tempo of the store are critical during these important weeks—more so than any other time of the year. Don't believe the so-called experts. Go out and make this holiday shopping season a winner for your stores.

River District Holiday Events

First Fridays Artwalk in Full Swing

On tap for the downtown First Friday Artwalk in December are holiday window displays. Art galleries, restaurants and other businesses along the downtown Broad Street corridor are open during the First Friday of each month.

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Welcome New Members!

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