49th NASFM Convention
The Westin La Cantera Resort
San Antonio, Texas
Oct. 21-23, 2004
Speaker's
Highlights
On
Oct. 21-23, NASFM members gathered in San Antonio to prepare
for the future of store fixture manufacturing and responding
to new industry realities. Here are a few highlights:
Annual
NASFM Meeting
Treasurer
Robert R. Frackelton and executive director Klein Merriman
updated the membership on the financial status and activities
of NASFM over the past year.
Keynote
Address: The Realities of New Customer Expectations John Brandt, CEO, The MPI Group
Manufacturing
companies are increasingly finding it necessary to adapt
to the realities of new markets and new customer expectations.
John Brandt is an expert on competition and performance.
His company helps clients identify value gaps in their
relationships with customers and then focus their strategic
planning efforts on bridging those gaps. The annual
IndustryWeek/MPI Census of Manufacturers is
the world’s largest benchmarking study of metrics,
management practices, and financial results for the
U.S. manufacturing sector. This summer, Brandt completed
the first-ever large-scale study of Chinese manufacturers,
with metrics and measurements directly comparable to
U.S. manufacturers. Members received a pre-report release
of the findings and can receive a free
copy of the 16-page Executive Summary detailing the
study's results.E-mail John Brandt at jbrandt@mpi-group.net
for a copy of hte Executive Summary or information about
purchasing the Benchmarking Toolkit. Also available
are the results of the IndustryWeek/Manufacturing
Performance Institute China Manufacturing Study 2004.
NASFM/DDI
Retail Interiors Forecast 2005 Larry Greenberger, Publisher, DDI
Greenberger
provided a brief overview of the annual NASFM/DDI
Retail Interiors Forecast. Copies of the report, featuring
forecasts for 2005 retail purchasing plans for store
fixtures and other interior elements, were distributed
to all attendees.
For
a copy of the Retail Interiors Forecast
• members contact NASFM at 954-893-7300 or e-mail
nasfm@retailenvironments.org
• non-members can purchase a print
version of the Retail Interiors Forecast
from NASFMor DDI.
General
Session: Retail Outlook
Al Meyers, vice president of business development,
Retail Forward Inc.
Al
Meyers provided a big-picture overview designed to help
store fixture executives craft strategies for the coming
years. Meyers not only focused on retail trends, but
took a strategic look at directions in retail construction
and international retail. Emphasis was placed on retailers
who are growing and developing, together with new stores
and new store formats.
On
Oct. 21-23, NASFM members gathered in San Antonio to prepare
for the future of store fixture manufacturing and responding
to new industry realities. Here are a few highlights:
Treasurer
Robert R. Frackelton and executive director Klein Merriman
updated the membership on the financial status and activities
of NASFM over the past year.
Keynote
Address: The Realities of New Customer Expectations 
Manufacturing
companies are increasingly finding it necessary to adapt
to the realities of new markets and new customer expectations.
John Brandt is an expert on competition and performance.
His company helps clients identify value gaps in their
relationships with customers and then focus their strategic
planning efforts on bridging those gaps. The annual
IndustryWeek/MPI Census of Manufacturers is
the world’s largest benchmarking study of metrics,
management practices, and financial results for the
U.S. manufacturing sector. This summer, Brandt completed
the first-ever large-scale study of Chinese manufacturers,
with metrics and measurements directly comparable to
U.S. manufacturers. Members received a pre-report release
of the findings and can receive a free
copy of the 16-page Executive Summary detailing the
study's results.E-mail John Brandt at 
The
retail panel discussion was moderated by RoxAnna Sway,
editor of DDI. Panelists included:
NASFM/DDI
Retail Interiors Forecast 2005
Greenberger
provided a brief overview of the annual NASFM/DDI
Retail Interiors Forecast. Copies of the report, featuring
forecasts for 2005 retail purchasing plans for store
fixtures and other interior elements, were distributed
to all attendees. 
General
Session: Retail Outlook
Al
Meyers provided a big-picture overview designed to help
store fixture executives craft strategies for the coming
years. Meyers not only focused on retail trends, but
took a strategic look at directions in retail construction
and international retail. Emphasis was placed on retailers
who are growing and developing, together with new stores
and new store formats.
