Supermarket S.M.A.R.T.S. Seminar

Will Return to Iowa in 2008

Returning by popular demand to Iowa in 2008 will be the Supermarket S.M.A.R.T.S. Seminar with special guest speaker Harold Lloyd. The Iowa Grocery Industry Association, which hosted the first-ever Supermarket S.M.A.R.T.S. Seminar April 17-19, 2007, is currently working on finalizing the details for a 2008 program.

“We will have the program again next year and we are working on setting the dates for 2008 very soon,” said Jerry Fleagle, CAE, IGIA President. “We will have Harold back to teach again, and we hope to make an announcement with the rest of the details at the 2007 IGIA Convention.”

The 2008 seminar will be structured similarly to the 2007 format – with a few changes in mind. Most of the alterations to the program will be made based on the highly positive responses and suggestions provided by those in attendance in April.

The two things that are guaranteed not change, however, will be the effectiveness of the seminar and the knowledge everyone leaves with when it is over. A vast majority – both young and old – of this year’s class departed the three-day event feeling more aware and inspired to apply what they learned.

Perhaps the greatest attribute taken from the first program was the advice group members would give to individuals considering attending future seminars:

•  “I’m positive you will feel more prepared and be informed on ways to improve both the business you manage and your personal life after taking the class.”

   

•  “It is definitely worth the time and money. Don’t .”

   

•  “You have to do it! Don’t wait 9 or 13 years into your career to develop how great you can be now. This program gave me successful strategy I can develop in my store.”

   

•  “The single best activity I’ve ever done professionally.”

   

•  “Wow. Be prepared and have an open mind. A lot of great information and ideas. Talk about an expansion of the mind!”

Comments like these are just the tip of the iceberg when you think about how impactful the Supermarket S.M.A.R.T.S. Seminar can be for the grocery industry as it moves into the future. And, for that very reason, other state organizations across the country are taking the IGIA’s lead in providing programs like this that are geared toward helping the people and businesses in our profession.

Lloyd played an instrumental role in the seminar this past April, and he will again come 2008. Lloyd, who will also speak at the 2007 IGIA Convention, is one of the leading educators in the grocery industry. His practical, exciting ideas and dynamic presentation style have solidified his reputation as one of the industry’s top speakers.

Registration for the 2008 Supermarket S.M.A.R.T.S. Seminar will begin before the end of the summer. Once all the details of the events are finalized, IGIA members will have the first opportunity to sign-up for the program before it is offered to anyone else.

“We will open 2008 registration yet this summer to IGIA members before opening it up to non-members,” Fleagle said. “Non-members will be able to register at a later date if space is still available.”

The class size of the 2008 seminar will be limited to 50 people just as it was this year.