The International Sleep Products Association’s (ISPA) announced that its 2009 Industry Conference and Exhibition is slated for November 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida. This two-day event will provide attendees the opportunity to see the latest products and services and to network and connect with customers, colleagues, and business partners.
Program highlights on Thursday, November 5th include the keynote presentation, “Redefining the American Consumer: New research introduces you to the ‘grounded’ consumer,” featuring Robbie Blinkoff, of Context-Based Research Group and Jamie Rice of Carton Donofrio Partners, who will discuss the current recession’s impact on the purchasing behavior of U.S. consumers.
Other exciting educational sessions that day include: “Marketing Through Social Media: Why you can’t afford to ignore the social networking explosion,” featuring Lissa Coffey, 2009 Better Sleep Council spokesperson, Erik Qualman, Global VP of Online Marketing with EF Education, and Social Media Consultant Jonathan Ressler. The day’s educational program will conclude with the session, “Tapping the ‘Green’ Market: Who are ‘green consumers’ and what do they really want?” featuring Will Ander, Retail Consultant with McMillan Doolittle, Roger Cunningham, President of the BedStore, Joe Paviglianti with SOLinc, and John Zapata, Senior Vice President of Distribution for Rooms to Go.
Also scheduled is the roundtable discussion ‘Defining ISPA’, intended to help ISPA better under its members and their needs as the association refocuses its programs and services.
Finally, on Friday, after a networking breakfast and exhibits, there will be an educational session on “Meeting Customers Expectations: Selling the experience is what will keep her shopping,” presented by Marty Walker, Vice President of Business Development with Ermcar, Inc.
In addition to all the educational sessions, attendees can relax and network during the Welcome Reception, sponsored by FXI Foamex Innovations, or the Poolside Networking Reception sponsored by Natura World Inc and during the ISPA golf tournament on Friday, November 6th.
Other conference sponsors include: American & Efird; Atlanta Attachment Company; Carpenter Co.; Eastman House/Eclipse International; Enkev Group BV; Estes Forwarding Worldwide; Flexible Foam Products, Inc.; Henkel Corporation; Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. Bedding Products Division; Intertek; The Israeli Processing Co. Ltd.; Jones Fiber Products, Inc.; Latex International; Latexco; Leggett & Platt, Inc.; OHM Systems; Radium Foam BV; SABA North America; SGS U.S. Testing Co. Inc.; Simalfa; Springs Creative – Firegard;; Stork Twin City Testing; Therapedic International; Tietex; Underwriters Laboratories, and Wright of Thomasville.
For more information or to register, visit www.sleepproducts.org/IndustryConference.
Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents over 600 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.
ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership. These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, the ISPAEarth™ Industry Sustainability Initiative, and more.
To learn more, visit www.sleepproducts.org or contact info@sleepproducts.org.