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Home Furnishings Association Networking Conference

Posted by Joe Gargiulo | Thu, May 18, 2017 @ 03:45 PM

Produced by the Home Furnishings Association, North America’s largest organization for home furnishings retailers, the 2017 HFA Networking Conference takes place June 4 – 6 in San Antonio, Texas. The event features an exhibitor showcase, educational sessions, a lineup of qualified speakers and numerous networking and social opportunities. This year’s conference offers four new programs: Consumer Panel, Hosted Think Tank, Build-a-Bike Charity Event and Industry Panel.

Location

All HFA Networking Conference events — including the showcase, receptions and golf tournament — take place at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, a spectacular setting by any stretch of the imagination. The hotel is situated on 300 acres that offer 500 well-appointed guest rooms, a 27-hole golf course designed by Arthur Hills, a pool with a 22-foot waterslide, the Windflower spa and 100,000 feet of indoor and outdoor space.

Showcase

The conference showcase presents two-plus days of exhibits offering home furnishings retailers the opportunity to reinforce existing relationships and create new prospects. Benefits from the exhibitor perspective include:

  • Real-time access to over 400 retailers, industry professionals and decision makers.
  • Professional event support staff.
  • Complimentary registration.
  • Signage and in program schedule.
  • Cost-effective booth space.

Education

The event offers over 20 education sessions addressing relevant industry topics and challenges such as company cultures, emerging technologies, succession planning, logistics and training. Selected topics include:

  • Cultivating an Ownership Mindset Among Your Family Business Employees  
  • Social to Sale: The Key Pillars of the Social Selling Mindset
  • What is Product Data Costing You?
  • Empowering the Next Generation to Facilitate Change in the Family Business
  • Warehousing & Distribution Best Practices
  • Best Practices for Successful Sales Associate Training

Consumer Panel - Get Inside the Customers Mind

home furnishingsThis interactive discussion offers insight into the consumers’ perspective of how stores can improve. Retailers will receive feedback from four generations of consumers describing what they want from dealers — from shopping online, to the in-store experience, and through the delivery process.

Home Furnishings Think Tank

The think tank harnesses the power of top industry minds who share their successes and failures in an academic setting. During this session, retailers can register to submit anonymous challenges that will be reviewed and discussed by expert attendees.

Industry Panel - Building the Perfect Relationship

This session covers the moving parts of a successful distribution chain among suppliers, sales representatives and retailers. Attendees will learn how to identify the key parameters in building those successful relationships.

Speakers

HFA has secured a diverse group of well-qualified speakers with backgrounds in team building, retail chain operations, brand management, marketing, social networking and family businesses.

Keynote: the Future of Marketing & Branding

Entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge Kevin Harrington will share lessons from his successes and failures in the digital world, the challenges that tech developments and viewer trends pose to the industry, and proven strategies for seizing opportunities. Attendees will learn how:

  • Technology is shaping the future of marketing.
  • Transparent brand identities resonate with today’s well-informed consumer.
  • Boosting story power can captivate consumers.
  • Effectively promoting businesses through social media channels can increase revenue.

Closing Keynote — The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

Dr. Gary Chapman will share communication techniques that enhance teamwork and productivity, the principles used by hundreds of successful organizations, practical insights based on real-world experiences, and how to stimulate lively and positive interactions.

Networking

Retailers with a penchant for swinging a pitching wedge are sure to enjoy the opening day conference golf tournament. Later that day, the Build-A-Bike philanthropic event presents an opportunity to “network with a purpose.”

Attendees will build bikes for the local Girls and Boys Club of San Antonio through the Build-A-Bike® program. “Become one of the more than 100,000 people who’ve helped build more than $2.3 million worth of bikes for needy kids. We bring the parts and tools, you bring the elbow grease!”

Grass Roots Luncheon: Beltway Insights From the Frontlines

HFA’s lobbyists Bill Simmons and Chris Andresen of Grayling give a candid overview and analysis of what’s going on in Washington, D.C. and how those activities may impact the furniture industry. The focus will be on issues such as tax and healthcare reform, online sales tax and labor.

The conference concludes Tuesday evening with the Texas BIG Bash dinner and entertainment event.

CrossCheck designs programs that simplify the sales process and guarantee payments for home furnishings dealers. Learn about Multiple Check, the versatile option that transcends traditional layaway sales, by downloading out free guide.

Consumers write 2 – 4 checks to cover the cost of their items, all bearing the date of purchase. Dealers deposit the checks on mutually convenient dates over 30 days and receive guaranteed payment with each transaction. Meanwhile, consumers take home their items on the purchase date without delay. It’s that simple.

Complimentary Consultation

Topics: Home Furnishings, Home Furnishings Association (HFA)

Written by Joe Gargiulo

Marketing Specialist Joe Gargiulo has 25-plus years in marketing, communications and copy writing. As a writer, he enjoys connecting story leads to all aspects of the human experience.