Pre-Convention Reception
Whether you’re coming early to participate in the golf tournament or board meeting, or just to get a head-start on networking, please join us at our opening reception at the Aviara for refreshments and hors d’ouvres.

NASFM Golf Tournament and Hole-in-One
This Arnold Palmer designed golf course was honoured with Golf Magazine's 2004 Gold Medal Resorts Award and #18 on Golf Digest's Top 75 Golf Resorts. The 7,007-yard, par-72 course is sculpted around the natural topography, with water hazards positioned as visual extensions of the lagoon.

Optional Activity: San Diego Zoo visit
Tour the beautiful and famous San Diego Zoo. The zoo is a brilliantly designed environment for the nearly 4,000 animals who call it home. From orangutans to pandas, tigers to pythons, many of the zoo's inhabitants are either rare or endangered.

Lunch for Golfers and Non-golfers
(area outside of Golf Clubhouse)

Trade Show Committee Meeting

Associate Member Committee Meeting

Spouse and Guest Tea
This informal tea for registered spouses and guests is an excellent opportunity to meet and make plans for the duration of the convention.

CEO Roundtable: Topics for Executives
Sponsored by NASFM and American Express Tax and Business Services, this session will explore current issues and trends affecting the store fixture manufacturing industry, providing an opportunity to network with peers, identify key trends and issues, and discuss strategies to resolve common challenges. Facilitated by Paul Pinkus, national director of the store fixture manufacturing/point-of-purchase industries practice, RSM McGladrey Inc.

50th Anniversary Celebration:
Member Networking Reception and Dinner
Join us on the beautiful grounds of the Four Seasons Resort Aviara for a “golden” evening reception, dinner, and celebration. We’ll recognize long-term NASFM members and present a variety of special awards in this celebration of our industry’s past, present, and future. The reception will be held poolside. Dinner will be served in the Aviara Ballroom.

Hospitality Suite Open
After the events end Thursday and Friday evening, the hotel’s game room will be opened to NASFM members for relaxing, games including cards and pool, and conversation.

Continental Breakfast

NASFM Annual Meeting
All NASFM members are invited to participate in the association’s annual meeting and elections. This year members will elect several new board board members. State of the association and financial reports will be presented.

Store Fixture Industry Update
Presented by Klein Merriman, NASFM Executive Director
Hear an update on the store fixture industry that is important to both manufacturers and industry suppliers, including an estimate of industry growth in 2005 and an initial projection for sales in 2006, an analysis of the growing impact of imports, and a discussion of industry consolidation.

Keynote: Philosophy of Success
Larry Winget describes himself as comic, satirist, and philosopher of success. In a session titled, “Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life,” he will provide universal principles that he says will work for anyone, in any business, at any time. He believes that most of us have complicated life and business unnecessarily, take it too seriously, and need to lighten up, take responsibility, be more flexible, stay positive, and keep it in perspective. He believes that success and prosperity come from serving others.

Winget is a 2002 member of the National Speakers Association Speakers Hall of Fame and author of several books, videos, and audiotape series. His most recent book, “Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life,” was released in August 2004 and reached the top of The Wall Street Journal business books list. He speaks around the country sharing insights in the areas of success, leadership, being customer-focused, and sales, to associations, businesses, and organizations.

Optional Activity: Carlsbad-Area Shopping Excursion
Spend a morning shopping in Carlsbad for great bargains in trendy boutiques to upscale outlet stores. It’s a great opportunity to find items you just might not be able to live without, shop for that perfect memento, or new beach attire. Put on your walking shoes on and "shop ‘til you drop!"

Refreshment Break

Roundtables: Shared Experience and Vision
Share personal experiences and challenges when you gather with your peers to discuss issues of common interest and concern. While NASFM’s roundtable discussions are not formal presentations, they give participants the rare opportunity to share ideas, experiences, questions, and solutions. Come prepared to offer information as well as ask questions.

Understanding Retail Consolidation
The current climate of retail acquisitions (Kmart, Sears, Federated, May) means that fixture purchasing customers continue to get bigger while the store fixture manufacturing industry has experienced relatively little acquisition activity in the past five years. This session will explore future directions in retail and their implications for our industry. Moderated by Boe Young, sales manager, Impressions Marketing Group Inc.

Making the Most of Marketing and Sales
Share ideas on the most effective use of your marketing and sales dollars, how best to deploy sales teams, and making wise decisions regarding tradeshow investments. Moderated by Norm Friedrich, president, Octanorm

Design vs. Budget: Who gets the final word?
Balancing the needs of design with the constraints of the client’s budget is never an easy task—and an area where fixture designers and fixture manufacturers may have very different perspectives. Discuss how designers, fixture manufacturers, and their retail clients can achieve the best and most cost-effective results. Moderated by Amy Bernhardt, vice president, marketing and human resources, Bergmeyer Associates Inc.

Outsourcing Domestically
This session, especially geared to store fixture industry suppliers (NASFM associate members), will explore what industry suppliers can do to better understand and participate in the North American store fixture manufacturing market. Moderated by Stephan Waltman, vice president, marketing and sales, Stiles Machinery Inc.

Lunch

“Changes in Latitudes” Reception and Dinner
A casual outdoor evening event at the Aviara, including a reception, dinner, and music on a Jimmy Buffett theme.

Hospitality Suite Open
After the events end Thursday and Friday evening, the hotel’s game room will be opened to NASFM members for relaxing, games including cards and pool, and conversation.

Continental Breakfast

Retail Panel: How to Get and Keep Our Business
Want to know what your customers are thinking? Here’s your chance to talk to—and learn from—prominent retail panelists about their expectations as a customer, their processes for selecting and working with fixture manufacturers, and areas where your company can add value to the process. Moderator: Dennis Gerdeman, principal, Chute Gerdeman

Panelists:

• Richard Hamori, general manager, store planning and design, The Bay

• Mike Hindlin, director of manufacturing and construction, Liz Claiborne

• Benoît Desgagné, director of store planning, The Aldo Group Inc.

• Greg Hovious, Associate Director, Facilities Contracting, Verizon Wireless
  

Retail Trends
Presented by Karen Schaffner, vice president/group publisher, VNU Business Publications' Retail Group
New cutting-edge retail designs and general retail trends will be explored in this image-filled channel-by-channel review. Highlights from the Retail Interiors Forecast for 2006, sponsored by DDI and NASFM, and data from ACNielsen will also be presented. Karen Schaffner is vice president/group publisher for VNU Business Publications' Retail Group. Magazines under her management include Display & Design Ideas, Sporting Goods Business, Sporting Goods Dealer, Gourmet Retailer, Impressions, and EMB.