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| The Gathering 2010 |
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| Written by Christine D. Johnson |
| Friday, 05 March 2010 05:00 PM America/New_York |
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In its sixth year, The Gathering is open to all Christian retailers and suppliers. The April 21-23 event will feature guest speakers Brian Zahnd, founder and senior pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, and author of What to Do on the Worst Day of Your Life (Strang Book Group), and Kyle Idleman, teaching minister at Southeast, where more than 18,000 people attend. Wednesday evening, George Thomsen, chair-elect and independent retailer director of CBA and manager of The Harvest Store in Riverside, Calif., will field questions from retailers in a town hall-style session. Suppliers of gifts, books, Bibles, DVDs and more—including Thomas Nelson, NOTW, Tyndale House Publishers, Zondervan and Word Distribution—will be part of the exhibit floor. Retailers will also have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite authors and artists Thursday evening at the annual Author/Artist Autograph Party & Dessert Extravaganza. Following dinner and the evening program, the authors and artists will be available for signing. Before the dessert reception that evening, the 2010 Christian Retailing Retailers Choice Awards will be presented, honoring the best new releases of 2009 as voted on by retailers. In addition, annual awards will be presented for Church Bookstore of the Year—large, medium and small—and for Salesman of the Year and Vendor of the Year. Attendees will have the opportunity to take a close look at the award-winning store, which occupies close to 3,000 square feet of space and aims to provide its customers with the preaching and teaching of Southeast Christian in various formats. The Amazing Race Once again this year, retailers will be invited to participate in The Amazing Race, with cash incentives for stores helping to offset the $150 (before April 15) or $175 (after April 15) registration fee for The Gathering. Attending stores have the opportunity to earn $100 in cash by meeting and/or placing orders with 30 different exhibitors Thursday or Friday morning. Exhibitors will sign the retailer's Game Card if an order is placed or a qualifying visit is made. If not placing an order, stores must listen to a 5- to 10-minute sales presentation on the exhibitor's products. On Friday afternoon, prior to leaving the event, stores can redeem their game cards for their cash awards. Food 4 thought The Gathering will afford retailers opportunities to consider the future of the Christian products industry. During lunch Wednesday, Christian Retailing Editor Andy Butcher will emcee a discussion with Joe Questel of Symtio, a Christian e-book provider launched by Zondervan. During lunch Thursday, Jerry Bloom, president of Treasures Media in Racine, Wis., will discuss how stores can use remainder books as part of their overall sales strategy. Training on tap The Prospective Store Managers School, to be held Tuesday, April 20, just prior to The Gathering 2010 is another opportunity for training. The school, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., requires a separate registration of $60 before April 15 and $70 thereafter. Retailers Heidi Macias—manager of Books of Hope at Community of Hope Church in Rosemount, Minn., and Region 6 (Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) director for the Church Bookstore Network—and Julie Swecker, manager of Daily Bread Books at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minn., will offer advice and instruction to new retailers on six different topics. They will address creating a business plan and mission statement; a store's legal and financial requirements; managing money with sales forecasts and personnel, purchasing and expense budgets; the importance of maintaining strong relationships with church leadership, congregation members, store staff and volunteers, and outside vendors; putting in place a marketing plan that establishes a store's identity; and store design and inventory. Tuesday night, after the Prospective Store Managers School and prior to the start of The Gathering, attendees will also be invited to a special church service also open to the public. At The Gathering, workshops will be led by various presenters, including Terri Williams of Tony Evans' Oak Cliff Christian Fellowship in Dallas and Scott Etheridge, sales consultant for Thomas Nelson. And for the first time, the education track during The Gathering will offer classes for church librarians and coffee bar personnel in each of the workshop sessions. The final workshop will be a super session on children's products. Speaker Mary Manz Simon, a children's author and market expert, will focus on an overview of the children's department in today's economy, addressing such questions as: Do summer reading programs, loyalty perks and customization make a difference? Details, details Within driving distance of major cities, the church is located just off of I-64 and close to I-65. Southwest Airlines also flies into Louisville. Several hotels near the church offer affordable rates for Gathering-goers. See the rates at www.christianretailing.com. Shuttle service from the hotels is provided to Southeast Christian Church. The church also will provide shuttle service to the airport at the close of The Gathering. As for meals, complementary breakfasts are offered at the hotels, while lunch and dinner will be provided as part of the event. A tour of the host church campus is scheduled for Tuesday morning. While it is important to wear comfortable shoes, the church does have elevators and escalators. Retailers who have previously attended The Gathering have often expressed appreciation for the time with their fellow retailers. This year there is a designated time where retailers can meet with other stores from their own region. How much does it cost? Registration for The Gathering 2010 is $150 (before April 15) or $175 (after April 15), but stores can attend free of charge by visiting the Virtual Christian Restock Connection and placing a qualifying order, a one-time order of $500 with one of the participating vendors. Click here for details. The Prospective Store Managers School requires a separate registration of $60 before April 15 and $70 thereafter. Workshops Session 1 Coffee Bar 101: How and Where to Start Facilitator: Patrick Burns, Trinity Fellowship, Amarillo, Texas Learn the basics of running a coffee bar in your store. Match Made in Heaven? Church Stores & Libraries Facilitator: Dan Ray, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, Mo. Addresses such topics as the rewards of providing appropriate resources to your clientele and how church bookstores and libraries can enhance each other's efforts. Volunteers: Recruiting and Training Facilitator: Terri Williams, Oak Cliff Christian Fellowship, Dallas, and Church Bookstore Network liaison to African-American churches Learn how to recruit, retail and care for volunteers. Using New Technology to Market and Sell Facilitator: Susan Chipman, Granger Community Church, Granger, Ind. Learn how to use Amazon to increase sales and decrease inventory, and how to use Facebook and Twitter for marketing. It's in the Bag: Packaging to Perfection Facilitator: Deb & Kelly Graham, Discover how bags, sacks and gift baskets can speak volumes about your store. The Bible: The Core of Our Stores' Purpose Facilitator: Dean Cook, Thomas Simple tips and training tools to help staff facilitate the purchase of a Bible. Session 2 Coffee Bar 201: Fine-Tuning Your Operation Facilitator: Patrick Burns, Trinity Fellowship, Amarillo, Texas Hiring staff and finding with volunteers, plus discussion on the operation of a café. Management 101: Being the Best You Can Be Facilitator: George Thomsen, chair-elect, CBA Managing Your Library Inventory: What To Buy, To Keep and Weed Out Facilitator: Dan Ray, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, Mo. Offers useful ways for libraries to keep inventory in check. Other Options for Churches: Independents Owning Church Stores Facilitator: Bill Tilley, The Faithful Source, Ashburn, Va. The future is now. Learn how you can own and operate a bookstore in a church. Make it a win-win for you and the church. Building Bridges with Your Church Ministries Facilitator: Sara Peters, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky. Ministries within the church can be our best customers. Find out how to build relationships with other ministries and show how you really are the best resource. Buying For and Marketing to Youth Facilitator: Anthony Artry, Abundant Living Family Church, Rancho Discover ways to order product, including music, that will appeal to 21st-century youth. Marketing ideas and the importance of controlling inventory in the area of youth product and music will be discussed. Session 3 Coffee Bar Meets Ministry: Making Your Coffee Bar a Viable Part of Your Church Ministry Facilitator: Patrick Burns, Trinity Fellowship, Amarillo, TX Is your coffee bar meeting ministry needs? This module will look at how to make this happen, while offering innovative ways to attract groups within the church. Special Events: Bookstores and Libraries Can Sponsor Them Together Facilitator: Dan Ray, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, Mo. A panel of bookstore managers and library directors. You will also learn how to manage competition between the bookstore and library. Stirring the Store: Merchandising Your Store Facilitator: Dena Meade, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky. Learn to create a fresh look in your store to sell gifts and books. Stir things up, give it eye appeal and watch it sell. Wise Buys and Wise Buyers: The Key to Financial Success Facilitator: Troy Baker, Tyndale House Publishers Buying wisely and controlling the inventory are keys to financial success. Learn how to deal with the available buying options. Churches: A Whole New Market Facilitator: Scott Etheridge, Thomas Nelson This workshop will give you the necessary tools to reach out to other small- to medium-size churches in your community. Church Bookstore Roundtable Facilitator: Rusty Miller, Cherry Hills Community Church, Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Rick Jones, A directed discussion on topics including customer service, frequent buyer programs, coupons and discounts. Friday Super Session Children's Products Facilitator: Mary Manz Simon, children's author and expert An overview of the children's department in today's post-recession economy. Schedule Tuesday, April 20 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Prospective Store Managers School: Managing a Successful Church Bookstore Separate registration required. Wednesday, April 21 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Registration opens, Southeast Christian Church lobby 7:30-8:45 a.m. Shuttle service to church 7:45-8:45 a.m. Meet with stores from your region 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Tour of Southeast Christian Church 10:15-11:30 a.m. A call to our industry and prayer for stores 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Food 4 Thought Luncheon—e-books 1:15-2:15 p.m. Session 1 Workshops 2:30-3:30 p.m. Session 2 Workshops 4-5 p.m. Session 3 Workshops 5:15-6:45 p.m. Food 4 Though Dinner 7-9 p.m. Special evening event: ”Not a Fan” with Kyle Idleman 9-9:30 p.m. Shuttle service to select hotels Thursday, April 22, 2010 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration 8:15-8:45 a.m. Shuttle service to church 8:45-9:05 a.m. Worship 9:05-9:25 a.m. Brian Zahnd, senior pastor of Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Mo., and author of Unconditional? (Charisma House/Strang Book Group) 9:25-9:30 a.m. Announcements 9:30 a.m.-noon Exhibit hall opens Noon-1:15 p.m. Food 4 Thought Luncheon—bargain books 1:15-6 p.m. Exhibit hall re-opens 6-7:30 p.m. Dinner/Retailers Choice Awards and evening with authors and artists 7:30-9:30 p.m. Autograph party 9-9:30 p.m. Shuttle service to select hotels Friday, April 23 7:30 a.m.-noon Registration 7:30- 8:45 a.m. Shuttle service 7:45-8:40 a.m. Meet with stores from your region 8:45-9:05 a.m. Worship 9:05-9:25 a.m. Guest speaker 9:25-9:30 a.m. Announcements 9:30 a.m.-noon Exhibit hall open Noon-1:20 p.m. Food 4 Thought Luncheon—potpourri 1:30-2:30 p.m. Workshop presentation: Children's Products Super Session 2:30-3 p.m. Final wrap-up 3 p.m. Conference ends 3 p.m. Shuttle service to Louisville International Airport (SDF) Exhibitors AMG Publishers Angela Courte International Art of the Spirit Bec & Chelle Candles Bookstore Manager Bridge Logos Publishers Bridgestone Multimedia Group CBA CMD Gifts Creation By Design Crossway Books & Bibles DaySpring Cards Dierdre Handcrafted Jewelry Discovery House Music Euforma Every Good Gift Foundation Publications Gospel Light Hachette Book Group USA His Gem Innovative Inspired Faith InterVarsity Press JHouse Publishing Kerusso Kingdom Retail Solutions Kingstone Media Group Lighthouse Christian Products New Day Christian Distributors New Hope Publishers New Leaf Publishing Group No Greater Joy NOTW/Truth Soul Armor One Touch Awakening Petragraphics Prayer Shop Publishers Revelation Marketing Group Right Stuff Kids Rose Publishing SAS & Associates/Wholesale Christian Books SDS Design Servant Marketing Show Offs Art Spring Arbor Standard Publishing STL Distribution Strang Book Group Symtio Thomas Nelson Tree of Life Books Tyndale House Publishers Vatican Library Collection Word Distribution Waterbrook Multnomah Word of Life Zondervan
List accurate at press time. For a full list, click here. |
