Join your CEO colleagues at the strategic event of the year—a senior-level conference for industry decision-makers! Access retailers and industry experts directly...share information and ideas with other housewares and home goods decision-makers...wine and dine in a unique setting with your industry colleagues.
September 9-10, 2008
Chicago, IL USA

Agenda + Details:

DATES:
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 9-10, 2008

Event begins at 10am Tuesday and concludes at 2:30pm on Wednesday.
PLACE:
THE WESTIN RIVER NORTH — Chicago — 320 N. Dearborn Street 312.744.1900

Just 30 minutes from O'Hare International Airport...25 minutes from Midway Airport. Located in the heart of Chicago's key business and theatre districts...overlooks the Chicago River...within walking distance of Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, restaurants and shopping.

Offers a full spectrum of services that provides everything from tranquility to rejuvenation. Features three distinctive restaurants: Ember Grille, Hana Lounge, Kamehachi Sushi Bar...and the Westin Workout®
COCKTAIL RECEPTION/
DINNER:
UNIQUE VENUE FOR COCKTAIL RECEPTION & DINNER

Please join us at a contemporary Italian Trattoria...just steps away from the hotel.


335 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago
312.629.3500
www.amanochicago.com

Tuesday Evening
September 9, 2008 | 6:30 pm

You're in good hands at A Mano, with Executive Chef John Caputo's Italian expertise showcased in every dish - and try their 18 flavors of gelato!

Evening graciously hosted by:
CHESS PROGRAM:
The program includes:

Tuesday, September 9

10 am
Welcome & Your Expectations of CHESS
Phil Brandl, President, IHA
Dan Raftery, CHESS Facilitator

10:30 am
KEYNOTE: China's Futures - from El Dorado to Armageddon
Peter Navarro, Author, CNBC Contributor, Professor at the University of California-Irvine

12 Noon
LUNCHEON

1 pm
DESIGN: Carpe Diem! Seize the Day!
Gregg Davis, Principal, Design Central

2:15 pm
CONSUMER TRENDS: Home - The Place to Be, Again
Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst, The NPD Group, Inc.

3:30 pm
NETWORKING BREAK

4 pm
SUSTAINABILITY: Creating Opportunities with Sustainable Design Steve Belletire, Associate Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5:15 pm
ADJOURN

6:30 PM
NETWORKING COCKTAIL
RECEPTION & DINNER A Mano—335 N. Dearborn; 312.629.3500
Just steps from the hotel

Time has been allotted after each presentation for Q&A and informal discussion.

Speakers & programs are subject to change without notice.

 

 

 


Wedneday, September 10

8 am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:30 am
THE STATE OF THE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT:
the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Panelists:
Tim Cropper, Sr. VP & Chief Customer Credit Officer, CIT Commercial Services

Richard Heller, Partner, Corporate Revitalization,
Carl Marks

Thomas Scotti, Managing Director & COO of Appraisals, Appraisal & Valuation Division, Gordon Brothers

9:45 am
NETWORKING BREAK

10:15 am
BREAKOUT SESSIONS—Choose One

VIETNAM: An Emerging Market
for Sourcing
Dinh Tran, President, North America-
Vietnam Trading Agency Inc. (NAVTA)

Protecting Intellectual Property on a Budget
Robert Engel, President, Angel Sales Inc.

Managing Factory Compliance & Assuring Product Safety
Gene Rider, President, Intertek Consumer Goods North America

11:30 am
LUNCHEON

12:30 pm
RETAIL PANEL: How to Become a
Top-Tier Supplier
Dominic Cimilluca, Dominic's Kitchen Store
Tom Ketelhut
Dept. Merchandise Manager, Ace Hardware
Chris Nielsen, Amazon Services

2 pm
WRAP-UP

2:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT