Practical ideas for how Christian retailers can offer a customer experience that sets them apart from others will be offered at Retailing ReBoot, Christian Retailing's three-day event for church and independent stores, next month.

The suggestions will come from retailers, suppliers and authors during training presentations and discussions at the April 26-28 show, themed “Engaging Without Limits," at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla.

In addition to education sessions helping retailers connect more with suppliers and customers, there will be worship and inspirational messages as well as a suppliers' exhibit area. The program will also include an authors' reception and the announcement of the winners of the magazine's 2011 Retailers Choice Awards.

Originally organized solely for church stores and formerly called The Gathering, the event has been renamed this year to reflect its inclusion of independent retailers and the need for stores to "reset" for the future, said Christian Retailing Publisher Dave Condiff.

Previous attendee Anette Campbell said that the event had been “a valuable resource” for her Notes of Love Christian Books and Gift Store in Ormond Beach, Fla. She was glad to find new gift vendors, because the fast-growing category was important, she said.

“The whole program was well-organized with great food and relevant seminars for the Christian industry,” she commented. “But above all, it had the most beautiful spiritual atmosphere of all the Christian shows that I have been to. The Holy Spirit was there for sure, and that for me is the most important key for any Christian show.”

For more information, go to retailing-reboot.christianretailing.com.