your internet browser: http://www.retailmerchants.com/newsletter-events/2009-09-23.htm
events September 23, 2009
The 2010 RMA Directory
The 2009 Retail Merchants Resource & Membership Directory was a huge success. We are now in the process of putting together the 2010 RMA Directory. It has taken off and we will be making some changes and upgrades to make it even more appealing for 2010 and at the same time keeping it fresh. This is a must for all members to keep up with what's going on with the RMA and a great way for members to support other members. Make 2010 a great year, have a strong network and increase your customer base with the RMA Directory. Call Ann Small at 804-240-2146 or email her at asmall.aci@verizon.net. Let ACI design you a great looking ad and put that ad to work for you.
Recent Events
Tuesday, September 15
Connect@ Bailey's
 |
 |
 |
Click any of the photos above to visit the photo gallery.
Loss Prevention & Security for Small Business
Upcoming
Tuesday, September 29
The Best Defense is a Sales Offense
- 10 Tips on how your employees can be more effective selling while also protecting your inventory
- Get the lowdown on sales floor activity that could be taking away business…literally
- Learn what you need to teach—Take-away ideas and techniques to use in your business, with your staff
- Customer service—Proactive approaches increase profitability
- Take the hints—Signs that your staff may be more of a hindrance than a help in deterring theft
- To catch a thief—Resources and suggestions for handling theft when you spot it
- Q&A, discussion, idea sharing
Speaker: Michael Guld, President, The Guld Resource Group, host of “Talking Business With Michael Guld” heard each week on WCVE Central Virginia’s Public Radio and on Richmond.com.
Tuesday, September 29
8:15–9:30 a.m.
Location: Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 662-5500
Directions >>
Cost: SLPA members, no cost; RMA members, $5; non-members, $7
Back to top
On Point Freebie
Upcoming
Wednesday, September 30
"HTML, Google, meta-tags, Twitter, You Tube, Blogs, Facebook . . . Where should your business start?"
In today’s economy, your business needs an effective online strategy to be competitive. Many businesses have invested in a website, but have not fully realized the benefits of that investment. Addison Clark Online is a leading eMarketing firm in Richmond, VA (and an RMA member) that specializes in helping businesses make their online strategy a key part of their business success. Join Addison Clark Online as they introduce the basics of developing and utilizing an online strategy to attract and convert customers.
After the session you should:
- Understand the basics of an online strategy—the 4 P’s and why they are important
- Be able to attract more customers to your site and location
- Understand the importance of tracking and monitoring the effectiveness of your online marketing
- Be able to implement programs that extend the sales relationship with customers
Wednesday, September 30
8:15–9:30 a.m.
Location: Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 662-5500
Directions >>
Cost: No cost to attend, but registration is requested.
Back to top
Economic Forecast Breakfast 
Upcoming
Friday, October 2
"Is There an Economic Reality?": Where You Stand and What You Need to Know for Your Business
Hear from our panel the most up-to-date information to help you make the most of your 4th quarter, with a hint of what to expect for the 1st quarter of 2010. In this especially crucial time, these leading economic and retail experts tackle some of the hard questions, and offer knowledge that will help you formulate your strategy going forward.
Panel Moderator: Ken Gassman, Luxury Goods Analyst, has been a retail analyst for over 35 years. In the 1980s, he was Senior Retailing Analyst at Wheat First Securities, and in the 1990s, he was Sr. VP and Retail Analyst at Davenport & Company. He worked with national U.S. retailers including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s Companies, Circuit City, and others. In addition, he has worked very closely with companies in the jewelry industry including Kay Jewelers, Zale Corp., Movado, DeBeers and others, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Ken focuses his research and analysis exclusively on the global jewelry and diamond industry, particularly at the consumer level. He has authored two major publications on the jewelry industry for financial investors. Ken has been quoted in major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, the New York Times and the Washington Post.
Panelist Alan Gayle is Senior Investment Strategist and Director of Asset Allocation at RidgeWorth Investments, SunTrust’s $60 billion institutional money management subsidiary. He is manager of the RidgeWorth Allocation Strategy Funds, which Barron’s ranked #3 out of 59 mixed-equity funds in their 2008 Fund Family Rankings*. He leads RidgeWorth’s Asset Allocation Committee, convenes the senior management Investment Policy Group, and is responsible for developing and communicating the investment outlook, strategy, and asset allocation for RidgeWorth. Alan has been with the RidgeWorth / SunTrust organization for over 30 years. He has testified before Congress on economic and regulatory issues affecting the banking industry and is regularly quoted in the financial press, radio and TV.
Panelist Ann Battle Macheras joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond as VP of the Regional division of the Research Dept. in February 2009. Ann oversees a staff engaged in research and analysis of regional economic conditions, and advises internal Bank leadership in this area as well. Ann supports regional outreach efforts to share economic analyses and insights across the Fifth Federal Reserve District, which includes North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve Bank, Ann served as Sr. Economist for the VA Economic Development Partnership, managing the economic research group in analyzing regional economic trends. She also served as Sr. Economist for Chmura Economics & Analytics consulting firm. As Regional Economist at SunTrust Bank (and its predecessor, Crestar Bank), Ann tracked the VA, MD, and D.C. economies.
Friday, October 2, 2009
7:45–9:15 a.m.
Location: The Westin Richmond
6631 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
804-282-8444
Directions >>
Cost: Members, $25; Non-members, $30
Back to top
Member News & Events
Fall 2009 1200 Block—Bellevue Avenue Block Party
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Handcrafted jewelry by Virginia artisans at ReFinery
- Free outdoor art lessons by Classic Touch Cleaners’ owner and art teacher Brenda Stankus
- Fancy fiddlin’ in the parking lot by Scottish Master Fiddler John Turner from 10-11:30 a.m., sponsored by Mercury Fine Violins, Ltd.
- Randy Allen and Suzuki violin studio students playing at Mercury Fine Violins, Ltd. at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Free mini cello lessons by Jan Land at Mercury Violins, Ltd.
- Cello improvisation by Constance Sisk at 11 a.m. in the parking lot, sponsored by Mercury Fine Violins, Ltd.
- Free flowers from Nicola Flora
- Lemonade sidewalk sale by Northside Grille
- Free hot dogs and hamburgers grilled by Joe Stankus in the parking lot, compliments of Kiwanis
- Girl Scouts' baked goods sold to benefit Battery Park Christian Church
- And, of course, take advantage of end-of-summer and fall bargains at ReFinery!!
Parking along the street and behind the shops is encouraged. Parking in the lot from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be partially restricted. Northside Grille and Mercury Fine Violins, Ltd. will provide public restrooms during the event. Cosponsored by ReFinery.
Low Cost Marketing Tools for Startups & Other Small Companies
Tuesday, September 29
You're invited! The RMA and the 'Hispanic Professionals Network (HPN) of Central Virginia' will host "Low Cost Marketing Tools for Startups & Other Small Companies" from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Retail Merchants Association,5101 Monument Ave. Information: (804) 320-4346 with Tim Loughran, or (850) 776-9209 with Rudy Garcia.
The UNOS Foundation President’s Council invites you to: “United for UNOS,” a 25th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday October 1, 2009; 6:00- 8:30pm
The Colony Club, 10 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Business attire. Tickets: $50 per person.
Purchase tickets online now>>
More information: www.unos.org/unitedforunos.asp or 804-782-4630
RMA Links
- RMA Home
- Membership
- Member Benefits
- Government Relations
- Calendar of Events
- Job Postings
- Local Shopping
- Insurance
- Our Staff
Events is published the third week of each month. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Contact:
Pat Vitsky
(804) 662-5518
Fax: (804) 662-5507
e-mail
The Retail Merchants Association does not share your personal information with third party sources. If you would like to be removed from our events list, please click here and type "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the "Subject" block before sending.
Sponsored by
