AmericasMart Atlanta

Press Release

AMERICASMART University Cirriculum Open to Area Rug and Home Furnishings Retailers and Exhibitors

August 31, 2006

ATLANTA, April 2006—Fueled by retailers’ desire to achieve higher levels of learning, AMERICASMART-ATLANTA has developed new for 2006 and beyond AMERICASMART Universitysm (AMU), a radically new, non-traditional education initiative.

Strategically structured and designed in close consultation with experts, AMU addresses business fundamentals and arms retailers with the tools and techniques necessary to stay competitive and grow their businesses. Classes are taught by renowned consultants, strategists and experts in business planning, modeling and development.

AMU core curriculum addresses three Topics of Learning: Retail Business Basics, Buying & Selling and Building Your Brand. Each Topic offers beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. Select elective-level courses—seminar-like programming supporting AMERICASMART’s product centers—are also available.

All AMU participants are eligible to earn an AMERICASMART MBA. The AMERICASMART MBA is awarded to participants who complete all AMU curriculum requirements—or the completion of each Level of each Topic of Learning for a total of nine classes. MBA graduates will be recognized at exclusive at-Market events and are eligible to receive incentive packages.

AMU courses featuring area rug and home furnishings information are:

Saturday, July 15

2—3 p.m.

Using Technology to Increase Sales (Beginner)

Learn the nuts and bolts of marketing technology and how this technology can increase a customer base and bottom-line.

Presented by: Bobby Chandiramani, Chief Marketing Director, Schandra, Inc.

AMERICASMART ?, 3rd Floor Conference Center

Sunday, July 16

8:30—9:30 a.m.

The 52-Week Planner: Plan to Succeed & Succeed by Design…Start Your New Sales Year Today (Beginner)

Step-by-step incremental activity will guarantee that you grow your business in the next 12 months; reality-based marketing activities will get you to where you want to be

Presented by: Mike Marchev, Mike Marchev & Associates, Author of Become the Exception

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

10—11 a.m.

The 52-Week Planner: Plan to Succeed & Succeed by Design…Start Your New Sales Year Today (Intermediate)

Presented by: Mike Marchev, Mike Marchev & Associates, Author of Become the Exception AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

1—2 p.m.

Creating Customer Loyalty (Beginner)

100 Customer service ideas; “red carpet” ideas that will “WOW” your customers; How to network with colleagues effectively in your community; ways to motivate employees to deliver unparalleled service

Presented by: Roy Prevost, entrepreneur and business consultant

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

Monday, July 17

9—10:30 a.m.

Does Selling Rugs Have You Tied Up in “Nots”?

The key is knowledge. Our proven methods will energize your sales team, by helping them understand: How rugs are made, Patterns, designs and materials; Judging and comparing rug quality; Developing customer relationships; Selling the right rug every time; Service after the sale

Presented by: Steve Boodakian, Koko Boodakian & Sons, and Sy Mahfuz, Persian Rug Galleries

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

4—5:30 p.m.

Walk the Market with Phil (Elective)

Phil Menendian leads a tour of select permanent showrooms and lectures on outstanding and unusual products. Presented by ORRA.

Instructor: Phil Menendian, President of K.A. Menendian Oriental Rugs

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

Tuesday, July 18

10—11 a.m.

Oriental Rugs 101 (Elective)

Michael Joseph leads a lecture on evaluating construction for the identification of oriental rugs. Presented by ORRA

Instructor: Michael Joseph, owner of Joseph Oriental Rug Imports

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

1—1:30 p.m.

Tips for a Proper ORRA Appraisal (Elective)

Phil Menendian offers guidelines for conducting a proper ORRA appraisal, including how to fill out official forms and use efficient tools. Presented by ORRA.

Instructor: Phil Menendian, President of K.A. Menendian Oriental Rugs

AMERICAMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

1:30—4 p.m.

*ORRA Certified Rug Appraiser’s Exam (Elective) *

Once-a-year opportunity to earn you CRA. A closed door exam, prior registration is required. Please bring proper identification to the exam. Open to ORRA Members Only

Presenter: ORRA Appraisal Committee

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

Wednesday, July 19

2—4 p.m.

A New Vision for ORRA

Mark Kambourian leads a round table discussion to address challenges, deliverables and opportunities. Mandatory for ORRA Members

Instructor: Mark Kambourian, M. Kambourtian Sons

AMERICASMART ?, 4th Floor, 4-B-1

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