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Sunday, March 13, 2011
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5:00–6:00 p.m.
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Registration
Meet the Yarn Market News team and receive your registration packet and gift bag.
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6:30–8:30 p.m.
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Cocktail Reception & Welcome Address
Come by our opening reception to kick off the conference and enjoy appetizers, cocktails, music, and great conversation with your fellow attendees. Wear your nametag on your favorite handmade garment!
Sponsored by Lantern Moon
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Monday, March 14, 2011
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7:30–8:30 a.m.
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Breakfast
Sponsored by Buffalo Gold
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8:45–9:00 a.m.
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Opening Annoucement
Erin Slonaker, Editor in Chief of YMN
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9:00–10:15 a.m.
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The Crackle Factor: Taking your Business off Autopilot
Kizer & Bender
It’s time to make your sales floor crackle again! Join Kizer & Bender as they share what successful retailers do to reinvent their stores and consistently create unique customer experiences. If your Crackle Factor™ has fizzled out, you won’t want to miss this exciting presentation.
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10:15–10:30 a.m.
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Morning Break
Sponsored by Koigu
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10:30–11:45 a.m.
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Social Networking for Retailers: How to Achieve Maximum Effectiveness
Mike Kraus
From Facebook to Twitter to Foursquare and beyond, it’s time to “get over the overwhelm” of social networking and start using it to grow your business. Learn what’s ogin on online and why you need to be in the social-networking game.
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11:45–12:45 p.m.
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Luncheon
Sponsored by Skacel Collection
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12:45–2:00 p.m.
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Trend & Color Forecast Fall/Winter 2011/2012 for Yarn Retailers
Leatrice Eiseman
Future color trends and color forecasts can help retailers best approach their customers. This richly illustrated speech shows the origins of color trends and explains the direction in which color is going.
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2:00–2:15 p.m.
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Mid-Afternoon Break
Sponsored by Bergere de France
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2:15–3:30 p.m.
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Brand Yourself for Success
Catherine Kaputa
Branding can be subtle or grating, up to date or out of date, but if you don’t participate, you will be left behind. This talk will bring branding to live through vivid case-study examples that relate to you and your business.
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3:30–3:45 p.m.
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Afternoon Break
Sponsored by Cascade Yarns
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3:45–4:45 p.m.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose One)
A. The New Business of Selling Books: Insider Tips for Retailers & Plans for Success
Kim Brown
Selling books helps sell yarn. Learn the ins and outs of the book publishing business and how to maximize sales for your store.
B. Telling a Good Yarn: Blogging for Your Business
Diane Gilleland
Blogging is a crucial marketing tool. Learn how to find your voice and get good business results.
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6:30–9:30 p.m.
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Gala Dinner & Keynote Address
Portland Art Museum
Take Your Seat at the Table (And Use It): Vision. Voice. Community.
Cindy Tortorici
To flourish and thrive, small-business owners need new and creative opportunities to expand their base of influence and gain the confidence and poise needed for success. Our goal is to help you cultivate your vision, an influential voice, and a strong community of experts, peers, and mentors so you can lead with confidence and truly own your seat at the table.
Sponsored by Westminster Fibers
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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7:30–8:30 a.m.
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Breakfast
Sponsored by Bryson Distributing
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8:15–8:30 a.m.
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Opening Annoucements
Erin Slonaker, Editor in Chief of YMN
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8:30–9:45 a.m.
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Marketing Is Not a Dirty Word: Selling Your Stuff Without Selling Your Soul
Emira Mears
In this workshop, you will create an affordable and strategic marketing plan focused on sharing your passion for what you do with a like-minded community, with the goal of helping to improve your bottom line.
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9:45–10:00 a.m.
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Morning Break
Sponsored by Universal Yarns
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10:00–11:15 a.m.
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Branding Master Class
Catherine Kaputa
In this workshop, learn how branding can help increase your business success. Through interactive discussion and individual and group exercises, you will work on your business and another important brand, Brand You.
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11:15–11:30 a.m.
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Mid-Morning Break
Sponsored by Pear Tree Fibers
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11:30–12:30 p.m.
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Panel: Inspired Store Design
Retailers from the audience share photos of store organization, window displays, merchandise tables, checkouts, and more.
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12:30 p.m.
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Boxed Luncheon and Closing Comments
Erin Slonaker, Editor in Chief of YMN
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1:00 p.m.
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Yarn Crawl to Local Yarn Shops
Sponsored by Louet, Pico Accuardi Dyeworks, Prism, and Tahki•Stacy Charles
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6:30 p.m.
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Pico Accuardi Dyeworks Cocktail Party
All attendees are invited to take a tour of the studio and meet local designers and artists.
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