Seminars, Sessions & Keynotes

The MIAC 2011 seminar series is designed to give attendees a chance to learn about current issues and emergent trends. Topics often centre on technology, finance, sales, marketing, management and more. These educational seminars are developed to bolster retailer profitability.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Keynote Presentation: Shifting Consumer Behaviour & what it means to Retail
John Wright, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Ipsos Reid
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

The changes that we currently see in our economy, society and environment are significant and will create challenges and opportunities for the retail sector. John Wright, Senior Vice-President of Ipsos-Reid, sifts through current consumer research to illuminate the shape of consumer behaviours. Find out how behavioural shifts between generations affect purchases and how retailers deliver products, present brands, and think about price, choice, and customer service. Discover how ethnicity, age, and gender influence how Canadians shop, who has money to spend, who is spending, motivates, influences, and directs the way consumers spend their money.

MIAC RETAILER FORUM

Does your business know how to take advantage of Social Networking? Successful campaigns begin with a strategy!
Scott Stratten, President, UnMarketing
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Everyone is talking about social media and how it can help companies market their products and services. Yet very few are talking of how if done correctly the use of social media (especially the use of Facebook, Twitter and Youtube) can help your web site get ranked higher in the search results leading search engines.

This session will give you an understanding of key concepts and philosophies combined with best practices and tactical points of execution to help create winning results for your business.

Building the Ultimate Music Dealer Website
Tom Folenta, President, Music Dealer Webkit
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

What makes a great Web site is focus and clarity of purpose. A great Web site is unpretentious. It doesn't pretend to be what it is not. It never wastes your time, because it always gets to the point. A great Web site helps you to act. So with this in mind how do you avoid the common pitfalls Tom Folenta will walk you through the 7 steps of building the ultimate music dealer website.

"Show Me the Trolley", Website & E-Commerce
Lauren Freedman, CEO, the e-tailing Group, Inc.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

In 2009, Canada's online sales topped $15 Billion with over 95 Billion Online Orders. And while consumers have scaled back their spending during the global economic slowdown, Canada's Digital Economy is showing no signs of abating. E-commerce may not be completely recession-proof but the fact remains that customers continue to turn to the internet for the best value.

Today, a website and online store are no longer an optional extra - they are a vital necessity. This session will cover the Do's & Don'ts for your website and shopping cart, and equip you to take the next steps to ensure the longevity of your business.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Keynote Presentation: The Leisure Economy: How Changing Demographics, Economics & Generational Attitudes will reshape Our Lives and our Industries
Linda Nazareth, Senior Economic Analyst, Business News Network
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

For the past three decades, we have been steadily creating an extreme 'time-crunch economy' that has affected jobs, portfolios, businesses and lives. But the 'time-crunch economy' is turning into 'the leisure economy' and it will mean wrenching adjustments for our lives and institutions. Everyone from consumers, investors, businesses, and policy-makers will need to understand the changes afoot.

MIAC RETAILER FORUM

Business Succession Planning: Will You Be Ready For the Finish?
James Wong, Vice President of Succession Planning, BMO Harris Private Banking
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Throughout the life of a business, owners need to plan for a new generation of owners to continue and potentially expand their business. Studies show that only 30% of family owned and managed businesses survive through the second generation. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to think beyond the current day-to-day crises that face every business owner.

If you're interested in preserving, protecting, and promoting the value of your business, this session will help you create a legacy for the future and turn the dream of succession into reality.

What are QR Codes and How do they Benefit Me?
Tom Folenta, President, Music Dealer Webkit
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

What are QR Codes and how important are they to you and your business? QR Codes are 2-dimensional bar codes that can be read with mobile phone and link to your business, your retail shop and your products. Tom Floenta takes the mystery out of this technology and provides a straight forward examination of QR Codes, how they can be used and their importance to specialty retailers now and in the future.