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events July 2008
Enjoy RMA's new events blast, coming to you the third week of every month. Each month our RMA paparazzi will be covering meetings and events, in Richmond, Goochland, Powhatan, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Amelia, and beyond—wherever Retail Merchants members and guests gather to network, learn or advocate! Special thanks to our Events sponsor, Bank of Virginia.
Retail Marketing Expo
Power Sessions & Networking Highlights
10:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Start your networking early over coffee & pastries and get a jump on the day.
10:30–11:00 a.m.
The Art of Buzz: How to Get Your Customers to Market for You
Tom Blue, Managing Partner, Accelerated Growth Partners LLC
Keep up the energy with a lively presentation from Tom, and discover how word-of-mouth has taken on new meanings…in ways that you can put to work for you and your business.
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker Luncheon: Strategies for a Changing Retail World
George Whalin, Author & Retail Expert
[Members, $25; Non-members $30]
Luncheon Table Sponsor—10 seats @ $280.00—Sponsor will receive the following: table of 10 in preferred location, signage on table, listing in the event program if received prior to printing deadline.
In this eye-opening presentation, retail expert George Whalin, will discuss 5 things you should STOP doing right now and 5 things you should START doing right now to survive and thrive in these tough economic times. Register on-line at www.retailmarketingx.com.
3:00–3:45 p.m.
Strategies for Surviving the 4th Quarter in a Down Economy
Panel moderated by George Whalin, with Dr. John Gaskins, Longwood University; Scott Aronson, Ukrop’s; Jacques Moore, Moore Family of Dealerships; and Weldon Wirick, S&K Famous Brands.
Is there one right formula? Or will you be able to pick and choose from the ideas and advice discussed by these marketing experts? It won’t take long, and the lessons you learn could prove invaluable.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Connect @ RME
Join in the hour of networking nitty-gritty. It’s the perfect time to compare new ideas, resources and contacts. Some customers and exhibitors have told us that the best deals are sealed here!
Register Now!
Back to topConnect @
Upcoming...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Ultimate Connect @ Plant Zero
Join us in throwing a mammoth
‘fun-raiser’
to benefit the Virginia Retail Federation.
For the first time, Retail Merchants Association is throwing the biggest, most extraordinary benefit EVER! Our fund-raiser for VRF’s 2009 legislative efforts will be packed with good times (we aren’t calling it a “fun-raiser” for nothing!), good food, good entertainment, good music, good people and a GREAT cause.
Promoted to the entire business community, RMA members and non-members, plus related groups; through print, e-mails, the web and by invitation; we will be reaching thousands and expect a full house. Other than the games and entertainment at Plant Zero, we will be having raffle drawings throughout the evening for a wide variety of products and services. Thanks to our Connect@ sponsor Central Virginia Bank.
How you can help now:
Make sure your business is promoted through our marketing efforts for this event!
- Donate a raffle item—it can be your product or service, or you can purchase an item or gift certificate from another RMA member. Click here for the donation form >>
- Be a sponsor—there are several levels of sponsorship available. (Contact Jenny Price at 804-662-5500 for additional information.)
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Plant Zero Art Center
0 East 4th Street
Richmond, VA 23224
Directions >>
Cost : Members, $25; Non-members, $30
First Friday Forum
Upcoming...
Friday, September 5, 2008
"Bring Home the Green" with John Martin, Southeastern Institute of Research, and Matt Thornhill, Boomer Project
Click here for more information >>
New Study Will Be Released That Introduces New Rules for Retailers on Marketing Green Across Generations
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 will share insights from their brand new national research study. Thanks to our sponsors: Village Bank, T/S Hospitality Consultants, Visual Aids Electronics, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Robert Thomas Photography.
7:45–9:15 a.m.
Location:
Holiday Inn, Central
3207 N. Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23230
Directions >>
Cost: Members, $20; Non-members, $25
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Smart Marketing: An Executive Dialogue
Upcoming...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 (Note Date Change)
"Smart Marketing: An Executive Dialogue" Moderated monthly by Tom Blue, RMA Marketing Guru
Click here for more information >>
You don’t have to hire an ad agency to get expert marketing advice. If you’ve ever worried that you’re not getting the most from your marketing dollars, Smart Marketing is well-worth your time.
Once a month, you’ll explore your most vexing marketing challenges with a select group of 5 to 9 peer executives. These structured, 90-minute discussions moderated by marketing expert, Tom Blue are designed to deliver the marketing answers you need today while offering invaluable lessons from the real-life experiences of other executives.
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Location: The Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Ave.
Richmond,VA 23230
(804) 662-5500
Directions >>
SPACE IS LIMITED . . . 20 Participants.
Cost per session : $79 member / $99 non-member*
*Non-members who join after the second session will receive a $50 discount on membership.
Upcoming Sessions: July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29, November 26
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Chapter Meetings
Upcoming...
- Powhatan, July 23
- Fredericksburg, July 30
- Amelia, July 31
Check website for locations, times and to register: http://retailmerchants.com/chapter-meetings.asp
New PR Opportunities
Free Advertorial with Discounted Ads at Community Weekly
The Community Weekly will once again be having special Back to School pages in its August editions that represent discounted advertising spots for RMA members. Issue dates are August 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th in Chesterfield and Powhatan, and August 19th in Henrico. And when you buy 3 weeks of ads, RMA members receive a free advertorial for their business! Please call or contact Senior Account Rep David Pegram at 560-5500, or e-mail him at dpegram@thecommunityweekly.com
Call for Images
Do you have a great photo of your attraction, hotel or restaurant that you'd like to see in the Richmond Metro CVB published and electronic materials? If so, they'd love to see it. If you have high resolution, high quality images that RMCVB may be able to use, contact Brandon Martin at bmartin@richmondva.org.
Be on the Web – No Charge!
Make sure you have your business information on the Shopping Channel at Richmond.com (it’s free!) Go to www.Richmond.com/client , your username is your four or five digit member number and your password is double the value of the first two digits of your member number. You can change your information as often as you like.
Invite Us Over
Host an RMA Connect@ event at your location! We’ll come with 40-60 members and friends, to network and to see your business. For more information, contact Jenny Price, VP Membership & Event Marketing, jprice@retailmerchants.com
Don’t Be a Stranger
Let us know what’s going on! New personnel? Special event? Big sale or promotion? Retail Partners newsletter wants to know. Share a special event or a special discount with members in the Member-to-Member discount section on the website (and check it for deals you can use). Send your information to: Patricia@retailmerchants.com
Moved? New Phone? New E-mail?
If you don’t want to miss something important, make sure all your information is correct with RMA. Send your new information to Kathy@retailmerchants.com
Member Events
Annual Grove & Libbie Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, July 19th
Exciting specials with several participating merchants from 9:00–4:00.
Logo Advantage will have an large assortment of apparel, hats, totes and other specialty goods set up outside under the canopy with extra embroidery specialists to fulfill embroidered goods orders that day and if time permits you might be able to pick up your items on that same day. ALL OUTSIDE PURCHASED ITEMS (monogram only, no company logos) 30% OFF
Starting Friday, July 11th (no other discounts or previous orders can apply)
ALL BEACH TOWELS—20% OFF!
OUR THERMAL TUBS—10% OFF!
ALL IN STOCK HANDBAGS—15% OFF!
Avery Quarles, Logo Advantage >>
19th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Duck Race
Saturday, July 26th
Brown's Island, Free admission, 11am–4pm
A premier family event! Pay for a duck or ten and we will send them all down the Canal at Brown’s Island. As the waterway narrows, the ducks feed one by one across the finish line. The first ducks to pass through win prizes for you! Attendees will be able to enjoy vendor displays, great food and drinks along with plenty of family entertainment. For more information call 804-346-5722 or see www.bigbrobigsis.com.
Powhatan County Fair July 29–August 3, 2008
Midway Rides & Games, Petting Zoo, Daily Raffles, Karoke
Live Entertainment
General Admission $6
Unlimited Ride "Wristband" Tickets available
at Central Virginia Bank & Capital Pontiac GMC
Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday 5–11pm
Friday 5pm–12am (midnight)
Saturday 9am–12am (midnight); Rides open 11 am; 11 am Miss Powhatan Fair Pageant
Sunday 9:30am–8pm, Sunday Morning Service, Rides open 11 am; Gospel Concert, Lawnmower Races (bring your mower & join the fun)
Meet the Winemaker!
Thursday, August 7th
Join Special Guest Mr. Luca Paschina from Barboursville Vineyards for an exclusive evening. Enjoy four-courses of Morton's signature cuisine paired with Barboursville fine wines.
Thursday, August 7th, 6:30pm Reception, 7:30pm Dinner, $95.00 per person
Morton's The Steakhouse, Shockoe Slip * 14th & Canal, 111 Virginia St., Richmond, VA 23219
For more information or to make reservations contact AnnMarie Grohs at
804.648.3426 or annmarie_grohs@mortons.com
U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops Extends Registration Period
iPod Touch to Best Buy Slam Dunk Contest Winners
Registration for the U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops basketball festival at the Dominion Resources Campus at Innsbrook Office Park on July 26-27 has been extended to 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 23rd.
Teams will be bracketed by skill and age level for male, female and co-ed options at age levels for Youth (ages 8-13); High School (grades 9-12) and adult (ages 18 & up) and in Standard and Elite Divisions.
In addition to the registration extension, prizes for the Best Buy Slam Dunk Contest, which will be held on the Arena Court, have just been announced and they are substantial. The male and female first place winners will each receive an iPod Touch courtesy of Best Buy. In addition, Best Buy will raffle off a 50-inch plasma television with proceeds going to Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Richmond. The second place male and female dunkers will each receive a one-year membership to American Family Fitness. The Arena Court will also host the Chick-fil-A Cluck ‘n Chuck Contest in which one lucky attendee through a random drawing. If they can make one lay-up shot, one free throw shot, and one half-court shot in 30 seconds or less they’ll win a free Chick-Fil-A meal per week for an entire year.
For more information on activities and online registration go to www.sportsbackers.org.
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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
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