Welcome, FMG Members,

Sponsors, Vendors and Guests!

2014 SYMPOSIUM

Thursday Afternoon

2014 SYMPOSIUM

FMG Executive Director Mike Herschel welcomes attendees to Las Vegas and introduces the keynote speaker.

Keynote Address

2014 SYMPOSIUM

Jon Wolske, Culture Evangelist

Zappos.com

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FMG Members and Vendor Partners were challenged to think about their role in developing and communicating the culture that makes their organizations unique.

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John Wolske, Culture Evangelist for Zappos.com discusses the importance of corporate culture.

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Networking Reception

Thursday Evening

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Attendees enjoyed the great food and service of Caesers Palace and had the chance to meet and discuss products, programs and other topics with FMG Vendor Partners.

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The FMG Symposium offers key vendors and members a chance to get together in an environment that is relaxed but still serious about the furniture industry.

Shown (l to r): Gary

Steinhafel, Roger

Bland, Pat Rislov,

Dirk Stallmann

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Richard Magnussen and Kay Canada of Magnussen visit with Steve Riley of Nebraska Furniture Mart. Building links between key retailers and vendors is what the Symposium is all about.

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As part of the opening evening, attendees were treated to the harmonies of tribute band Peter Paul and Mary NOW.

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Day 2 Panels and Economist

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Presentations included Powerpoint and video shown on a giant screen. One panelist’s presentation was made by remote video link.

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Building Image

Through Advertising: Panel I • Daphne Oliveros, C.S.Wo Home World Furniture • Dirk Stallman, Steinhafels Furniture • Erika Sparrow, Imagine Advertising • Everton Weeks, The Weeks Group

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Daphne Oliveros, General Manager of C.S.Wo Homeworld stores in Hawaii, opened the day’s presentations by showing the development process behind the retailer’s latest advertising campaign.

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Dirk Stallmann gives attendees an inside look at the process and thinking behind the advertising and marketing of Steinhafel’s Furniture.

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Panels included FMG members and vendor partners, as well as outside experts. Here, Erika Sparrow of Imagine Advertising discusses new technologies now available to retailers.

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Newspaper and marketing veteran Everton Weeks, founder of the Weeks Group, shares with FMG retailers the advantages of using “post-it note” ads attached to the front page of the newspaper.

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Michael Wolf, Economist Wells Fargo Securities

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Frank Stanley of Wells Fargo Retail Services introduces Michael Wolf, Economist for Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

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Michael Wolf of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC touched on many aspects of the economy that will affect FMG member retailers in the coming year.

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Store Design: Designing a Difference

Panel II • Martin Roberts, Martin Roberts Design • Tiffany Vorndran, Jerome’s Furniture • Don Wright, Wright Global Graphic Solutions • Tim Harris, Knoxville Wholesale Furniture

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Martin Roberts of Martin Roberts Design shared with FMG members some of the exciting concepts driving new store design and makeovers of existing stores.

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Tiffany Vorndran, Senior Graphic Designer for FMG member Jerome’s, explains how graphic design strengthens and reinforces the idea that Jerome’s is a fun place to shop for furniture.

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Don Wright of Wright Global Graphic Solutions discusses some of the exciting technologies available to retailers to make their stores not just a place to shop but to buy.

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Tim Harris , President of Knoxville Wholesale explains his belief that the success of his new store will be the result of cooperation and commitment by the associates that make up the KWF team.

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Digital Marketing Innovations:

Panel III • Ryan Sides, Furniture Branding Solutions • Andrea Bergeson, R.C. Willey Furniture • Regina Dinning, Netsertive • Brad Lebow, Horich Hector Lebow

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Internet advertising and social networking are distinctly different. Ryan Sides of Furniture Branding Solutions explains to members the importance of having a presence in social media in order to best reach and attract today’s customer.

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Jeff Child, President of R.C. Willey Furniture, introduces Andrea Bergeson, creator and author of the Room to Talk design blog featured on the company’s website. From her home in Utah, Andrea explained the blogging process.

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Regina Dinning of Netsertive and Brad Lebow of Horich Hector Lebow consider a question regarding internet advertising from Larry Klaben of Morris Home Furnishings.

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Changing Logistics Landscape:

Panel IV

• Jack Hawn, Zenith Global Logistics • Barb Tronstein, Gardner-White Furniture • Dick Merians, HDA Holdings

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The past few decades have seen huge changes in how furniture gets from factory to retailer. Jack Hawn, of Zenith Logisitics, reviews the history, current state and likely future of freight carriers serving the furniture industry.

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Barb Tronstein and Scott Gilbert (center) of Gardner-White Furniture in Detroit tell FMG members of their success in implementing and using the delivery tracking software package from Dispatch Track.

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HDA Holdings President Dick Merians warns retailers that those not willing to change may not survive. FMG members were challenged to fundamentally rethink their approach to freight and delivery to better compete in the years ahead.

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Dinner & Entertainment

•The Water Coolers

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Symposium guests gather for an evening of fine food and first-rate entertainment.

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Everton Weeks presents Gina Gunn of Knight Furniture with a $100 casino chip. Gina Gunn won the chip by “scratching off” a post-it note similar to the ones that The Weeks Group presented to FMG members as an advertising vehicle earlier in the day. Four other prizes were also awarded.

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David and Andrea Everett of Furniture Barn in Delaware and Joe Beiter of Beiter’s Home Center in Pennsylvania enjoy a few moments between courses with John Haste (center) of the Elk Group.

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The Water Coolers is a singing comedy act that uses top NYC talent to answer the question “does this stuff happen to anyone else?” Symposium attendees were knocked out by the talent and humor of this group.

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The combination of life and work can get crazy, but with the right perspective both can be hilarious. That’s what the Water Coolers show us. The hilarious part. With great singing.

Day 3

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FMG Program Updates and Merchandising Sessions

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Bob George of Impact Consulting brings members up to date on the magalog project. HFB Magazine,which has produced the FMG magalog, is a property of Impact Consulting.

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Brian Edwards of aspenhome reviews the most recent FMG exclusive project, the Walnut Park Bedroom , with MFG retailers.

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FMG members gather to review best-sellers in a variety of product categories . Members discuss lines, suites, finishes and fabrics that have proven successful. The sharing of retail ideas is the most important part of Symposium for many attendees.

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Time to break for a quick lunch and then…

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…back to the meeting rooms for more merchandising sessions in the afternoon. As mid-afternoon arrives, another Symposium comes to a close. With the usual lack of fanfare, members leave the Symposium and head to market.

We Couldn’t Have Done it

Without Them

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Betsy, Bonnie and Anne

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From Left to Right:

Betsy Crawford, Communications Director Bonnie Wallace, Office Manager Ann Reece, Accounting Manager