Introduction

NACDS has broadly increased this year's assortment of Industry Insights and other educational programming for the Marketplace Conference. While many of the offerings are designed to appeal to all participants, several have been developed and targeted to specific market segments such as: small- and medium- sized manufacturers, those interested in self-improvement opportunities, or those who particularly want to understand and serve the In Style- type female consumer. All are designed to increase your ROI for this meeting, your awareness of industry initiatives and business processes, and provide resources to help you be more effective in your business pursuits. The programming was developed under the guidance of the NACDS Advisory Board and the Outreach and Business Development Subcommittee.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Session 1
Take Back Your Life! (Part 1 of a 2-part offering)
(This program is limited to the first 200 attendees who sign up in advance. You must agree to attend both sessions in order to participate.)
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Take Back Your Life! enhances the productivity of Microsoft® Office Outlook® users by teaching them to create and maintain an Integrated Management System. This system uses Microsoft Outlook and MPS (McGhee Productivity Solutions) methods and protocols to process a constant stream of incoming electronic and voice-mail communications, objectives, next actions, and projects.

In a recent case study of a sales executive with a field-based sales force, the reported results six weeks after the course included:

6.5 more hours per week spent on activities directly related to objectives
32% less time spent “doing e-mail”
63% decrease in the number of messages in their e-mail inbox
18% less time spent looking for information each day
30% improvement in perception of work-life balance
28% increase in their satisfaction level with Microsoft Office Outlook

To register for this program please click here and complete the electronic registration form. Remember, this program is only open to the first 200 registrants.



Session 2
Bringing Clarity to Channel Choice – Understanding the Importance of Variety, Value, and Convenience
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

The complexity of channel choice has led to an expanded number of non-grocery retailers looking to leverage the power of food and beverage categories to drive store traffic, build larger baskets, and drive shopper loyalty.  Retailers are also looking to leverage new store formats, on-site gas pumps, Rx departments, health and beauty and non-food categories in a similar manner.  Additionally, value retailing and convenient formats are winning with consumers.  With all of this activity, retailer differentiation is becoming increasingly more complex and harder to maintain.  This session will illustrate how behavioral and attitudinal shopper segmentation provides insight on how retailers and manufacturers can collaborate to drive sales success.

Session 3
The Product Launch Process – An Opportunity to Improve Your New Product Success Rate
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

At a time when more than 30,000 products are launched each year yet only 20% achieve “Pacesetter” sales levels, it's time to review the process. PWC in conjunction with NACDS has done just that and you can benefit from the results. Attend this session to review a process that, when integrated into your company, will enhance your opportunity to achieve “Pacesetter” sales success on all of your product launches. This program is recommended for companies of all sizes.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Session 1
Take Back Your Life! (Part 2, of a 2-part offering)
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Please refer to Monday's session for description and registration information

Session 2
The State of Beauty: An Inside Look from In Style
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

From the Internet to Botox, Jessica Simpson to H&M, a number of factors are changing the face of the beauty industry today. Get an exclusive look at these trends— and discover their impact on consumer behavior— through an education session led by one of the must-have magazines on newsstands.

An editor from In Style, the style authority, will speak on “The State of Beauty,” citing trends by age while reflecting on what they mean for your business. Find out how attitudes towards beauty vary between Generation X, Generation Y, and the Baby Boomers.

This insightful presentation will also address who's standing out at retail— whether it's innovative brands or the retailers themselves.

With valuable tips for manufacturers and essential findings on the beauty industry, this informative opportunity is not to be missed!


Session 3
Successful Selling…What Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Need to Know to Successfully Sell to Drug, Food & Mass (Presentation)
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Whether you are just getting into the business or you've been doing it for years, this program will provide a step by step review of the critical elements to help you prepare, sell, and service the business. Unless your company is meeting or exceeding all of it sales and distribution objectives, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this special tune-up boot camp. Attendees will leave with a guide to help them further develop the process with the other members of their team.