CBA Training & Workshops

International Christian Retail Show 2011

July 10-13, 2011, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, USA

The training schedule for the 2011 Show will be available in the beginning of the year. In the meantime you can browse the training schedule for 2010 to get an idea of the type of training opportunities offered.

Monday, June 28, 2010

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Prospective Retailer Seminar, Part 1, Retail 101

Room 261

Presented by: Robbie Halstead, Kingdom Retail Solutions
Additional Registration Required

Launching a successful ministry and business is a difficult task. You want to make the most of every resource, every connection, and every tool available to you as you start out on this journey, but it can be difficult to pool together all these resources at once. The Prospective Retailer Seminar is designed specifically for prospective or new retailers asking questions such as: How do I develop a strong business plan? Do I have enough capital? Have I chosen the right location? How will I determine my inventory mix? These questions and many more will be addressed during this two-day seminar. You'll also have the opportunity to meet with sponsoring suppliers from the industry providing services and products that will be of interest to you as you build your retail business.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Workshop - New Marketing: Using Social Media to Market Your Store

Room 263

Presented by: Gunnar Simonsen of Potizio Solutions
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
If you want to be successful in marketing to your customers and building a community centered around your store, you need to take advantage of the many social media tools available today. In this session you'll learn about some of the latest methods being used by other Christian retailers and walk away with the steps to implement your own strategy in your store back home.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Workshop - General Session: Drill Down - Digital Solutions

Room 262

Presented by: David Amster of Integra Interactive, Inc.
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members

This year's General Session will provide a panel of industry leaders and digital experts to discuss the future of the Christian retail store amidst today's increasingly digital environment. If you want to dig even deeper in this topic than a panel presentation can provide, this workshop is for you! Learn how to integrate digital solutions with traditional brick-and-mortar operations to create a harmonious blend through which your customers will be well served.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Children's Product Trends

Room 274
Additional Registration Required
Back by popular demand, the Children's Product Trends event led by Dr. Mary Manz Simon will walk attendees through the latest product trends and merchandising ideas in relation to your children's product category. Actual product will be featured and one sample of each product will be offered to each store represented.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Retail Idea Exchange Breakfast

America's Ballroom: Room 223/224
Additional Registration Required

A common favorite of retailers attending the Show is the Retailer Idea Exchange. This event gathers together retailers of all types over breakfast for idea-sharing and collaboration for mutual industry impact. The Show is the largest gathering of Christian retailers in one location; make the most of this opportunity to learn from your colleagues.

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Workshop - The Future of Christian Retail as Told by Your Customers

Room 263

Presented by: Kelly Gallagher and David Campbell of RR Bowker
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
In the midst of a struggling economy and the growth and rapid change of the retail market, have you wondered what the future of your business might look like? In this session, you'll dive into the latest consumer data and research available to see what customers are telling us about the future and vitality of Christian retail with their purchasing behavior.

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Workshop - Church Store Specific: Using Social Media to Market Your Church Store

Room 262

Presented by: Gunnar Simonsen of Potizio Solutions
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
If you're a church store manager wondering how to implement social media into your marketing plan, this session is designed specifically for you. Perhaps your church leadership is already utilizing social media tools and you're wondering how the store can integrate into the church's existing social media presence. Learn how to utilize social media to build a stronger community around your church store.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Workshop - Church Store Specific: Aligning Church Leadership with Your Ministry

Room 262

Presented by: Geni Hulsey
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
If you come from a church store, you may have experienced that sometimes church leaders may not understand and align with the direction you believe the store needs to go in. Come and learn from other church store managers how to navigate this delicate scenario and how you can bring church leadership on board with the store.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Workshop - Differentiate Your Store with Knowledgeable Frontliners

Room 263

Presented by: Eric Grimm of CBA
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
In today's competitive market you can't afford not to have knowledgeable staff who are able to serve your customer better than your competition. Come and learn how training increases sales. See how CBA Connect equips you to train your staff in customer service disciplines as well as the latest product intelligence information from top suppliers in the industry.

10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Prospective Retailer Seminar, Part 2

Room 261

Presented by: Robbie Halstead of Kingdom Retail Solutions
Additional Registration Required

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Workshop - New Marketing: How to Reach Your Customers on a Shoestring Budget

Room 263

Presented by: Randy Voorhees of Bookstore Manager and Gunnar Simonsen of Potizio Solutions
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
You know you can't afford not to market your store well, but budgets are tighter than ever; so how do you make it work? Come and learn successful new marketing techniques and learn how you can implement these low-budget practices into your marketing plan.

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Workshop - Christian Store Day: It's Coming, Are You Prepared?

Room 262

Presented by: Bob Elder of Propeller Consulting and Eric Grimm of CBA
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
You may have heard about Christian Store Day but you may still be wondering what it is, how it will impact your store, and how you can play a part. Participation in Christian Store Day can help draw more customers into your store and strengthen your store's presence in the community. Come and learn how you can participate in this CBA-led event taking place across the country.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Workshop - Surviving Tough Times: Bargain Book Strategies for Success

Room 263

Presented by: Jeremy Bloom of SAS/Wholesale Christian Books
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members
The economic changes and challenges consumers have experienced has opened up a window of opportunity to grow sales in bargain book product. Bargain product is a unique category and one that can help you sustain a positive bottom line when other product categories might be struggling. Come and learn how to make the most of this unique category to drive traffic and sales.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Workshop - Increasing Traffic & Sales Through Book Clubs

Room 262

Presented by: Cynthia Rucht of American Christian Fiction Writers
Additional Registration Required for Non-CBA Members

Maybe you've been hearing for years about utilizing your store as the meeting place for book clubs and bible studies - but you've wondered if this can really be a profitable arrangement. Learn how to increase not just foot traffic to the store, but actual sales through opening up your store as a meeting place for church and community groups.