Event Videos

June 4, 2010

Food Retail Just Got Better

The Retail Merchants Association brought together the local community to extend a warm welcome to Martin's and to learn about the reinvention of Ukrop's Homestyle Foods. Click here to see the event flier.

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March 5, 2010

Building a Brand from the Inside Out

Every business is known for something—is your brand creating the impression you want it to? Every day, as consumers, we make buying decisions based on the reputation of a company’s brand. We consider whether we trust a brand, believe in a brand, and agree with a brand. Brands make us want things, spend money, and even think a certain way. A brand generates feelings, builds emotional connections and becomes the shorthand that influences our buying behavior. And the logo is only the beginning. Lisa Moroni-Hall and Cathy McPherson from Brandevotion discussed how distinctive brands are built both behaviorally and visually, and provided essential steps to developing a memorable brand.

January 8, 2010

First Friday Forum: "PR for Small Business": A panel of professionals offers tips on getting the word out about your business

Our panel of experts (Aaron Kremer, Phaedra Hise, Robert Powell, Sean Ryan, and Greg Gilligan) discussed advice, hints and tactics on promoting your business with free publicity in a variety of media. Moderated by Lisa Schaffner.

October 2, 2009

Economic Forecast Breakfast 2009: "Is There an Economic Reality?"
Where You Stand and What You Need to Know for Your Business

Our panel (panel moderator Ken Gassman and panelists Alan Gayle and Ann Battle Macheras) delivered the most up-to-date information to help attendees make the most of their 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 tackled some of the hard questions, and offered knowledge that will help attendees formulate their strategy going forward.

September 11, 2009

First Friday Forum: "TSBL—Who’s Making It Work and How"

Maybe you have, and maybe you haven’t, signed on to the Think. Shop. Buy. Local® campaign, literally and figuratively!  But you CAN make the movement work for your business—attracting new customers & bringing back old ones, seeing your name in news stories and on the internet, being interviewed by the media, and gaining fresh appreciation for your place and contributions to your community.

June 5, 2009

First Friday Forum: "Initiating and Sustaining Change"
Gayle Turner, Managing Partner, Catch Your Limit Consulting

Leadership is defined as initiating and sustaining change, while growing new leaders.  Initiating change is no big deal.  Everybody changes something every day.  The difficulty is sustaining change.  Change unfolds in a somewhat predictable series of events.  We learned a tried and true process for: identifying desirable changes; getting buy-in from your associates; managing the operational and the behavioral aspects of change; andembracing the new behaviors.

April 3, 2009

First Friday Forum: "Provide World-Class Service at the Local Level" with Michael Guld, Guld Resource Group

What is “world-class service?”  It is the talk of many in service industries but the reality of few. World-class service will greatly exceed service expectations on a consistent basis.  When a client is provided with world-class service, it often becomes a legendary experience that is retold to others in a form of free publicity that cannot be bought.  Michael Guld broke down the attributes of world-class service and showed by example how in most situations, it’s the customer’s buying experience that will determine your reputation more than the products or services you sell. 

March 6, 2009

First Friday Forum: "Richmond Marketplace 2009" With Brian Glass, Grubb & Ellis/Harrison & Bates, Inc.

Where does retail stand in light of the dramatic economic downturn that has taken place? Mr. Glass discussed how the amount of retail space that has been delivered in the past year will affect the Richmond region in 2009, as well as soon to be available space. More specifics were unveiled, including comments on rental rates, vacancy rates, and Landlord/Tenant relationships.

February 6, 2009

First Friday Forum: "COST–SAVING . . . TODAY"

We heard from a panel of experts on how one can save money now and budget effectively going forward.  We learned tips & strategies applicable to all types of businesses (with retail at the top of the list), including contacts, discounts, referrals, ideas, techniques, and actionable advice. Moderated by Rudy Garcia, Rivanna Woods Associates. Panel members included: David Stoyanoff, Wilson Stoyanoff; Lycia Rettig, Expense Reduction Analyst; Michael McDermott, Enterprise Tune-Up LLC, and Richmond S.C.O.R.E; and Linda Heath, Financial Holographix, Inc.

December 5, 2008

Distinguished Retailer of the Year and Retail Industry Achievement Awards

In December we honored...

2008 Distinguished Retailer of the Year

An outstanding member of the retail community—a proven leader in her firm and actively involved in community endeavors: LISA MCSHERRY, LEX’S OF CARYTOWN

2008 Retail Industry Achievement

A significant contributor to the retail community—a proven leader who has made significant contributions to the retail industry: WILLIAM H. BAXTER, CAE

November 14, 2008

The 19th Annual Valor Awards: Guest Speaker Paul E. Galanti Commander, US Navy (Retired)

The 19th annual Valor Awards breakfast is a way for the business community to recognize area law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency services providers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving their community. First responders in the City of Richmond and the counties of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield, and the Town of Ashland were presented awards for selfless acts involving personal risk beyond which should be expected while performing their duties. Area police and fire chiefs presented the awards.

October 3, 2008

Economic Forecast Breakfast 2008: "Focus on the 4th Quarter" What You Need to Know for Your Business

With Alan M. Gayle, Senior Investment Strategist, Trusco; Scott Krugman, VP, Industry Public Relations, National Retail Federation; and moderated by Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor.

Should you be belt-tightening or can you take a long, deep breath?

We heard from our panel of leading economic and retail experts the most up-to-date information regarding the 4th quarter, with a hint of what to expect for the 1st quarter of 2009.  Tackling some of the hard questions, they offered knowledge that will help attendees formulate strategies going forward.

September 5, 2008

First Friday Forum: "Bring Home the Green" with John Martin, Southeastern Institute of Research, and Matt Thornhill, Boomer Project

The emerging green economy is forcing rapid and unprecedented change on business. Some retailers have committed to sustainability as an important business strategy while others are hoping it’s a passing fad. Mr. Martin and Mr. Thornhill shared insights from their brand new national research study.

June 6, 2008

"Understanding Hispanic Culture, Managing Your Hispanic Workforce, and Marketing to Hispanic Clients" with Lisa Zajur, Director & Owner, Spanish Academy & Cultural Institute

Does your organization need a Cultural Diversity workout? Do your employees relate well to Hispanic customers and co-workers? Do they connect with the growing Hispanic community?  Do you have an educational system or resources in place to assist them and streamline understanding and communications? Lisa energetically and informatively gave us tools and ideas to take back to our companies.

May 2, 2008

First Friday Forum: "Higher Education and the World Outside" with Dr. Edward L. Ayers, President, University of Richmond

Don’t we remember when, as college-aged “practical idealists,” we wanted to change the world—but in concrete and immediate ways? That is how students arrive, to a higher education environment that is changing quickly, and becoming more important than ever to the United States. In responding to the changing educational landscape, it has been an interesting challenge to figure out how to connect the various parts of the university to one another, to the city of Richmond and to the world beyond.

April 4, 2008

First Friday Forum: "Strategic Planning for Change: Delivering and Managing Change in the Workplace" with Jennifer Scott, president of Touch Points Public Relations, and Joel Ratekin, president of Ratekin Consulting

New phone system. New computer system. New branding program. New website. New insurance provider. New management. Whatever the change, it affects your workplace and therefore your interaction with customers and clients. Generally, change does not come easily. Your staff and associates have opinions, ideas, and your changes should encourage creativity and collaboration. Forward-thinking managers are realizing that the best workers don¹t need 24/7 physical supervision but do need the sense of being part of the process. If handled correctly, change can energize and motivate your employees, and increase production. Customers and clients entering your establishment can also be affected by the climate of your space and mood of your workers.

March 7, 2008

First Friday Forum: "The Richmond Marketplace: March 2008 to March 2009" with Brian Glass, Grubb & Ellis/Harrison & Bates, Inc.

Where does Richmond stand in retail growth compared to U.S. retail growth? Mr. Glass discussed how the amount of retail space now and soon-to-be available space, will impact the marketplace over the next year. More specifics were unveiled, including comments on rental rates in some of the more dynamic parts of the market.

February 4, 2008

Connect@ Hondos

RMA members and their guests joined us for wine, beer, soft drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres and excellent company and conversation. These events are the right place to meet fellow members, prospects, and other guests. Thank you Hondos and thank you title sponsor Central Virginia Bank.

February 1, 2008

First Friday Forum: "Employment Law in 2008"

Attorney David E. Nagle, Jackson Lewis LLP, returned to give us a rundown on some of the hot issues in labor and employment law as we begin 2008, including: anticipated legislative actions, revision of the Family and Medical Leave Act, efforts to radically amend laws regarding union organizing, and new rulings from administrative agencies on such diverse topics as coordination of retiree medical plans with Medicare, Social Security "no-match" letters, the new I-9 forms, and the EEOC's new guidance on employee tests and selection procedures.

Excerpts

See the photo gallery >>

January 15, 2008

Virginia Retail Federation: The Birth of an Alliance

On January 15th, 2008 the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance joined hands at Richmond's historical Jefferson Hotel to form the Virginia Retail Federation, an advocate for local and regional independent retailers.

January 4, 2008

First Friday Forum: "How to Market in a Time When People Ignore Marketing"

Tom Blue, a marketing innovator and frequent speaker on the subjects of online and traditional marketing, presented 3 powerful yet little-known marketing principles that will help your marketing message to be heard by the people you most need to reach.

December 7, 2007

First Friday Forum: "Distinguished Retailer of the Year Award and
Retail Industry Achievement Award"

A very unique First Friday Forum was held at the Byrd Theatre, with special guests and entertainment, networking, a Carytown-flavored breakfast buffet—and recognition of our 2007 Award winners.

November 2, 2007

Economic Forecast Breakfast 2007

The Retail Merchants Association's Economic Forecast Breakfast featured a panel discussion moderated by Gregory J. Gilligan, a deputy business editor and columnist at The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Panelist Alan Gayle, who is responsible for developing and communicating the investment outlook, strategy and asset allocations at Trusco Capital Management, provided an economic perspective about the upcoming holiday season and the first quarter of 2008. Panelist Scott Krugman, vice president of public relations for the National Retail Federation, talked about what retailers can expect and challenges they face this season.

Event Summary
Man on the Street Questions
  1. "How do you think the think the economy's condition will affect your holiday spending?"
  2. "When do you plan to do the bulk of your holiday shopping? Where? Why?"
  3. "What types of gifts are you giving? (Clothes, toys, gift cards, etc.?)"
  4. "How much of your shopping will be in the stores or on the Internet?"
  5. "Are you going to be spending more/less or about the same versus last year?"

October 2, 2007

18th Annual Valor Awards

The purpose of the Retail Merchants Association and the Greater Richmond Chamber Valor Awards is to recognize deserving individual law enforcement officers and firefighters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This year's keynote speaker was John Walsh, host of Fox Richmond's America's Most Wanted.

September 7, 2007

First Friday Forum: "Risk Taking for Entrepreneurs"

Libby Brown, co-founder of This End Up Furniture Co. and Fowl Cay Resort, took a fearless look back at the risks and rewards of jumping into the deep end. Her recently published book, Making Waves, is the frank and funny recollections of a seriously successful serial entrepreneur.

Crime Stoppers