the 2012 retail marketing expo wrap-up expo books—reviewed · keting for dummies,” was...

October2012

In This Issue...1 The2012RetailMarketing

ExpoWrap-up ExpoBooks–Reviewed2 President’sLetter EndorsedVendors4 TheRMAScene6 BestandWorstfromRich-

mondMagazine7 CauseMarketingPanel:A

Recap Think.Shop.Buy.Local®

8 WelcomeNewMembers9 VirginiaCreditUnionGoes

Mobile ExpoBooks–Reviewed

Continued…10 UpcomingEventsinRMA

The8thAnnualRetailMarketingExpohasconcluded for another year. The showwas a hit and staged an atmospherebuzzing with excitement for the manyengaging, interactive, and hi-tech ele-mentsattheExpo.

Exhibitors really stuck with the “GameOn” theme, and lined the Exhibit hallwithcreativeboothsthatworkedhardtodrawExpoattendeestotheirbusiness.Ex-hibitorssetuplivefilmingstudios,aphotobooth, a foosball table, bright monitordisplays,andmanyothercrowdpleasingpresentations.

Bothattendeesandexhibitors spent thewhole day networking, gaining leads,and building their business. Attendeeslearnedwhat the latestmarketing strat-egiesare,availabletobetterservetheirbusiness. Exhibitors met prospective cli-entsandwereabletoengagethemwithmarketingservicestheircompaniesoffer.

TheExpowasalsofilledwithinformativeprogramming that delivered valuableinformation toattendeesaboutadver-tising, searchengineoptimization, andcausemarketing.

The 2012 Retail Marketing Expo Wrap-up

The keynote speaker, Michael Guld,presidentof theGuldResourceGroup,presented a high energy talk. He en-gaged theaudiencewith his topiconadvertisingandincreasedawarenessofthe importanceof advertising for busi-nesses.Hefocusedontherealmof ra-dioandtelevision.

Guld stressed that an advertising cam-paign is a better advertising strategythanrunningsingleads.Campaignsallowmoreideastobecoveredalongwithbet-teropportunitytobuildastrongfollowingof consumer attention and recognition.Guldusedwell-known, successfuladver-tisingcampaignsasexamples, includingtheMartinAgency’s“GEICOGecko”andUPS,andtheMotel6TVspots.

JohnPrince,aD.C.basedfieldmarket-ingspecialistforGoogle,ledtheafter-noonPowerSession.Princefocusedonsearchengineoptimization(SEO),andspoke about building a strong onlinebusiness presence onGoogle+ Local,including how small local businessescanusethefreeproducttogenerateacustomerfollowing.

Congratulations to the THREE Grand Prize Winners from Expo!

Expo Books—ReviewedTwo bookswere featured at the Expothis year. The first, “SEO 3.0: The NewRules of Search Engine Optimization,”was written by Power Session speaker,Mike Meyer. His presentation was alsobasedonhisbook,andeachattendeeat the power session received a freecopy. The second book, “CauseMar-ketingforDummies,”waspresentedattheendof theCauseMarketingPanelLunchasdoorprizestothreeattendees.

Ifyouownabusi-ness and havea website, then“SEO 3.0” maybe the searchengine optimiza-tion (SEO) bookfor you.Written ina voice pointedtoward businessowners, Meyerdoes a thoroughjob explainingwhat exactly SEOis,andhowithasevolvedoverthepasttwodecades.Hespellsouthowtogetyourbusinessonthemapwithstepbystep “tips,” including using analytics,writingqualitycontent,usingkeywords,blogging, and creating a mobile ver-sionofyourwebsite.

Thebookisaneasyreadandisappropri-ateforthosewithlittletonoknowledgeof SEO. A frequently asked questionsectionintheback,whichactsalmostlikeaglossary,providesafullexplana-tion of tech-nical wordsand ideasusedinSEO.

“Cause Mar-keting forDumm ie s , ”written byJoe Watersand JoannaMacDonald,can help totake awaysome of the

Valor-alan-rev.pdf 9/29/2011 1:41:00 PM

Ben Margolis from West Coast Kix

Mary Mollen from The Toy Center

Andy Thornton from La DIFFÉRENCE

‘ExpoBooks’onpage9

2|RetailPartners|RetailMerchants.com|ThinkShopBuyLocal.com|RetailMarketingX.com|October2012

ligation review and a 15% discount onpayrollserviceswhentheyjoin.Theyhaveover1,300 localbusinessclientswhouse

their out-s t a n d i n gpayrolland

completeHRservices.ContactDominionPayrollServicestofindoutwhytheyhaverepeatedlymadetheInc.5,000list.

[email protected].

Richmond.com Listing and Advertising

ChristieC. Newman serves asthe liaison for Richmond.comand RMA members. As anRMA member, you automati-

cally receive a free Silver Business listingsubscription ($420.00 annual value) withyourRMAmembershipand15%offallon-

andfreeupgradesto100%biodegrad-ablefilmforallplasticbagorders.Finally,youwillgetunlimitedfreewarehousing

usageandfreedaily deliver-ies to the en-tire Richmondarea.

For more information contact David at301.275.8908 or [email protected]. You may also contact [email protected].

Dominion Payroll Services

Joe Labella will make sureall RMA members are get-ting the best service pos-siblewiththeirpayrollneedswhentheyjointheDominion

PayrollServicesfamily.

DominionoffersRMAmembersano-ob-

FRoM ouR PRESIDEnTNow that the 2012Retail MarketingExpo has come toa close, it’s time forsome reflection.We’re delightedwith the turnout ofattendees and ex-

hibitorstotheExpo.Thisyear,were-brand-edandmodifiedtheentireeventtoreflectonsuggestionswereceivedfromourprioryear’ssurvey.

RMAmade small, yet impactful improve-mentsthisyear.Justtonameafew,ween-hanced the registrationprocessbyoffer-ingfastandeasyself-check-instationssoattendeesandexhibitorsalikecouldgettowheretheyneededtobe,quickly.Coffeeandnetworkingwasprovidedthroughoutthemorning.Also,theexhibithallwasre-designedtosmoothcrowdflowandofferampleaccesstoallexhibitorbooths.

The seminars were another area we fo-cused a lot of attention on.Wewantedtobecognizantofofferingqualityspeak-ers and presentations that gave attend-eesanotherreasontostayattheExpoallday.Wealsoaddeda lunchoption—theCauseMarketingPanelwith fourofRich-mond’smostprominentbusinesses:SarahPaxton fromLaDIFFÉRENCE,GaryWeinerfromSaxonShoes,MarkSmithfromMidasofCentralVA,andGaryGloverfromPuri-tanCleaners.

Becauseourmissionisfocusedonretailers,I felt stronglyabout theCauseMarketingPanelLunch.Wewantedtohelpmorere-tailersgetinvolvedinthecommunity,andtoteachthemhow,whobetterthanthese

fourtop-notchRichmondretailerswhodoitsowell?

The thought-provoking questions askedofthepanelhelpedtoarmtheaudiencewiththeknowledgenecessarytochooseanon-profitorcausetoworkwiththatfitstheircompanycultureandalsogetstheiremployeesinvestedintheprocess.

AsanaddedtouchtothePanel’sdiscus-sion,weinvitedseverallocalnon-profitstodisplay on the behalf of their cause. So,once armedwith knowledge, attendeeswereabletospeakwiththenon-profitsaf-terthelunchandgainmoreinsightinget-tinginvolved.

ThisiswhatRMA’sThink.Shop.Buy.Local®

brand and campaign is all about—En-couraging the consumer to support theirlocalbusinesseswhogivesomuchbacktothecommunity.Wecouldnothaveaskedfor a better example of just that; in ourdistinguishedgroupofpanelists.Our TSBLprogramcontinues toshowstrength in itsmessage to the consumer and the busi-nesscommunity,providingyou,ourmem-ber,greatopportunitytogetinvolvedandtakeadvantageofallthemarketinginitia-tivesweprovidetoyou.

Asalways, I thank you for yourmember-ship and for the time you spendwith ustomakeyourmembershipworkbettertobenefityourbusiness.

Nancy Thomas, President/CEO of Retail Merchants Association

Take Advantage of Savings from RMA Endorsed VendorsThe Retail Merchants Association team is always looking for ways to help support our member businesses. That’s why we researched and partnered with a group of businesses we call RMA Endorsed Vendors. Take advantage of the RMA member-only benefits and cost savings to help grow your business and save money at the same time.

S. Freedman & Sons, Inc.

PAPER, MAINTENANCE & RESTAURANT SUPPLIES

SINCE 1907

CAPITAL, LLCSINCE 1907

CAPITAL, LLC

a subsidiary of

D P SDOMINION PAYROLL SERVICES

non Profits:

Capital Packaging & Design (A subsidiary of S. Freedman & Sons, Inc.)

David Bortz and MeaghanBrownaretheRMAcontactsforCapitalPackaging&De-sign.Theyareboththeretomakesureyourcompany isgetting the best deal pos-sible.

Capital Packaging & De-signisafullserviceretailandrestaurant packaging com-

pany. It’s theirmission toenhancecus-tomers’ brands through creative, costeffective,andeco-friendlypackaging.

When you sign up through David orMeaghan, you will receive free plateson domestic paper bag orders, freeplatesonimportedreusablebagorders,

FeedMore Cause Marketing Panel Sponsor

Crossover Health Care Ministry

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Goodwill of Central Virginia

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity

unoS

Virginia Blood Services

WorldPay: Credit Card Processing

Scott Johnston has beenserving Richmond withWorldPay for more than 13years.Hewillbesuretopro-

videallRMAmemberswithsavingsof15-50%offoftheircurrentcosts.

Current promotions for RMA membersinclude easy QuickBooks accountingplug-in for accepting credit card pay-ments,freepinpadsorvirtualterminals,and free credit card processing termi-nals. In addition, by accepting creditcards directly through a leading pay-ments processor, RMA members saveandeliminatethemiddlemanandtheirextrafees.

Don’t lose a customer because yourbusinessdoesn’taccepttheirpreferredpayment type. You can use WorldPayfor all major payment networks, giftcards, checks, and ACH options, withsalesmade inperson,onlineoron thego.Batchesacceptedaslateas4a.m.toinitiatefunding.

[email protected].

lineandprintadver-tising for Richmond.com and RichmondTimes-Dispatch.

Richmond.comisalocalresourceforwhattodoandwho to know,anydayof theweek.Ifit’shappeninginRichmond,you’llfinditonRichmond.com.

[email protected].

uPS: Package Delivery Service

Allison White will make sureyou’re receiving a discountofupto30%forbothinboundand outbound shipping ser-viceswithUPS.

Since its founding in 1907,UPS has become amulti-bil-lion-dollar corporation, theworld’s largest package de-

livery company, and a leading globalprovider of specialized transportationand logistics services. UPS delivers con-venientandprofessional service tobusi-nesses of any size, providing customerswith both confidence and trust in theirshippingexperience.

[email protected].

TheRetailPartnersNewsletterispublishedfivetimesannually.

EditorialOfficesRetailMerchantsAssociation5101MonumentAveRichmond,[email protected]

[email protected]

Publisher/[email protected]

[email protected]

©2012RetailMerchantsAssociation,RichmondVA.Allrightsreserved.

RMA EnDoRSED VEnDoRSMerchants Services: Group and Individual Health Insur-ance

Jimmy Shelton and Cam-eron DeBord will work toprovide the best healthinsurance plans throughMerchants Services, Inc.,an independent insuranceagency representing thestateofVirginia.

MSI isconveniently locatedinside the Retail Merchants

Association offices and serves as its in-surancearmbyofferingRMAmembersawidevarietyofbusinessandindividualinsuranceproducts fromAnthem,Opti-maHealth,andothercarriers,including:GroupHealth Insurance,Dental,Vision,Life, Property andCasualty (brokered),Medicaresupplementinsurance,etc.

ContactJimmySheltonat804.288.2913or [email protected]. [email protected].

DOWNTOWN • 125 SOUTH 14TH STREET • 23219 800.648.6210 • FREE PARKING • WWW.LADIFF.COM


THE RMA SCEnE 1

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1. CarolWright(ParkNGo),NancyThomas(RMA),TamaraReeves(ParkNGo),PeterLarsen(CobbTechnologies),JulieHill(RMA),EdHughesandMartinDriffill(ComcastBusinessService),ScottJohnston(WorldPay)cuttingthegrandopeningribbonattheExpo.

2. JeffCrook(PayTime),MarkJames(Hearth&HomeShoppe),WayneNystrom(NystromEnterprises)attheExpo

3. DonnelsonCaffrey(GoodFoodsGrocery),SheriDoyle(FranklinGoose),DuncanThomas(IntermarkGroup),WarrenellSpindle(BlessedBasketJustForYou)

4. Dr.BryanLowryandSuzieGalvez(Ad-vancedWellnessCenter),SarahPaxton(LaDIFFÉRENCE),MarkSmith(MidasofCentralVirginia)

5. LoriStoneandJeffEverette(BrightSide)atSeptemberFirstFridayForum

6. RasikKotadia(ClarionHotel)andPaulHeitz(AmourWineBistro)attheJuneFirstFridayForum

7. AttendeesandExhibitorsattheExpo

8. MaryMollen(TheToyCenter),AndyThornton(LaDIFFERENCE),BenjaminandBruceMargolis(WestCoastKix)wereannouncedastheExpoGrandPrizeWinnersattheSeptemberFirstFridayForum

9. AttendeesandExhibitorsattheExpo

10. MarkCollins(SpeedproImaging)andGaryGlover(PuritanCleaners)attheThink.Shop.Buy.LocalBoothattheExpo

11. BartandSandraCarrique(Smiley’sMobileGlassShop),SaraLegget,CynthiaColdwell(Kelley’sGiftShop)attheConnect@Expo

12. LisaCusanoandSuzieLilly(FarmToFamily)attheJuneFirstFridayForum

13. AttendeesandExhibitorsiattheExpo

14. MetroProductionsCrewfilmingDonnelsonCaffrey(GoodFoodsGrocery)

15.NancyThomas(RMA)andBillSelden(C.P.Dean)attheConnect@Expo

16. RickyShannonandPeterBarton(KeithFabryReprographicSolutions)attheExpo

17.ExpoAttendeesVisitingBooths

18. FrancoandMariaAmbrogi(Franco’sFineClothier)attheExpo

19. MarkSmith(MidasofCentralVA)andSusanDaniel(GoodFoodsGrocery)attheThink.Shop.Buy.Local®Booth.attheExpo

20.SarahWay(PuritanCleaners),TylerSnidow(MetroProductions),andNormanWay(PuritanCleaners)attheExpo

21. MichaelGuld(GuldResourceGroup)andNancyThomas(RMA)attheExpo

22. RegistrationattheExpo

23.SarahPaxton(LaDIFFÉRENCE)andPeterLarson(CobbTechnologies)atthe2012RetailMarketingExpo

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RMA In RVA

103.7 FM The River: NewVoice/PersonalityonLocal

Radio(JackLauterback)

Agee’s Bicycles:BikeShop

Balliceaux:• RestaurantInterior

• RestaurantUsingSocialMediaMostEffectively(Tie)

• CocktailYouCan’tMakeatHome

Buttons and Bows:LocallyOwnedShopforKid’s

Clothes

Buz & ned’s Real Barbecue:Ribs

Can Can Brasserie:• SaladServedinaRestaurant:Beetandgoatcheesesaladat

CanCanBrasserie• RestaurantBathrooms

• RestaurantforaLunchMeeting

Capital Ale House:• BarinWhichtoWaitOutthe

MayanApocalypse• LocalBeerSelection

Capri Jewelers:WatchRepairService

CarLotz:NewLocallyOwnedBusiness

Chris DeCapri, Capri Jewelers:LocalEntrepreneur

Clear Channel: Lite98FMBestRadioPersonality

(BillBevins)

Comfort:RestaurantWiththeBestMac

andCheese

Fraiche:LocallyOwnedStoreWiththeBest

TablewareSelection

Franco’s Fine Clothier:• PlacetoBuyaSuit

• LocallyOwnedPlacetoBuyYourBoyfriendorHusbandClothes

Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates:LocalChocolatier

Congratulations to RMA Members who were Voted as Winners in Richmond Magazine’s 25th annual Best and WorstThe Following RMA Members Were Voted “Best” in the Stated Category

Goodwill:ThriftShop

The Jefferson Hotel:• HighbrowNightOutintheRegion

• RestaurantService(Lemaire)

Keiter/Keiter Stephens:BusinessAccountingFirm

Kings Dominion:• AmusementorActivityPark

• LocalSummerJob

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Gift Shop:

PlaceforUnusualGardenOrnaments

Lex’s of Carytown:LocallyOwnedPlacetoBuya

FancyDress

Maymont:• First-DateOuting

• OneStopFamilyFunintheRegion

Mekong:Pho

The Melting Pot:RestaurantforanIntimateDinner

Millie’s Diner:Brunch

nutzy the Squirrel:TeamMascot

Pink:• Women’sBoutique

• StyleInspirationFromIn-storeMannequins

Quirk Gallery:CommercialArtGallery

Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball:LocalSportingEventorTournamentTeamMascot(NutzytheSquirrel)

Ruth’s Chris Steak House:Steakhouse

Saxon Shoes:ShoeSelection

Schwarzschild Jewelers:FineJewelryStore

Short Pump/Short Pump Town Center:

• ThingBuiltinthePast25YearsinRichmond

• TeenHangout

Sportsbackers: MostUnusualSportingEvents

(MudRaces)

Tweed:• LocalStoreforSaleoftheYear

• LocallyOwnedShopforBirthdayGiftsforWomen

ukrop Family:• PersonorGroupWhohasContributedtheMosttotheRegioninthePast25years

• MostDesirableLastNameinRichmond

• CorporateCitizen

Vera’s Fine Jewelers:JewelryRepairService

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:• RockSculptureGarden

• ArtClassforKids• NonprofitArtGallery

Westhampton Pastry Shop:BakeryPastries

World of Mirth:LocallyOwnedToyStore

WRVA: LocalFill-inforJimmyBarretton

WRVA(JuanConde)

WTVR-6:NewFaceonaLocalTelevision

Station(JakeBurns)

WWBT-12 Morning:• LocalTelevisionAnchorTeam

(MorningTeam)• LocalTrafficReporter

(TracyLynn)• LocalMeteorologistWhoIsMostExcitedbyInclementWeather

(AndrewFreiden)• LocalNewscastWiththe

MostLocalNews

Silver / Cause Marketing Panel Lunch:

underwrittenbyMidasofCentralVirginia

Bronze: WorldPay,ComcastSpotlight,andComcastBusinessClass

Parking Sponsor:ParkNGo

Governor’s Lounge Sponsor: DominionPayrollServices,FultonBank,andUTCRetail

Power Session Sponsor:BallOfficeProductsandMetLife

Coffee & networking Sponsor: UPS,VirginiaBusinessSystems,andSUCCESSWERKS

Connect@Expo Sponsor:JamesRiverTradeExchange,AdvancedWellnessCentre,ARC,andAmericanProsperityGroup

Creative Partners

AddisonClarkOnline:Website

BESStudios:TV&Radio

FreeAgentsMarketing:Branding&MediaPlanning

KeithFabryReprographicSolutions:Signage

MetroProductions:EventandTSBLVideos

NovusCreative:GraphicDesign

RobertThomasPhotography:EventPhotos

VisualAidsElectronics:AV

ZooomPrinting:PrintedMaterials

Media Partners

ChesterfieldObserver,ClearChannelMedia&Entertainment,CoxMediaGroup,CWRichmond,HenricoCitizen,Lamar,MainLineBroadcasting,NEXTMEDIA,RadioOneRichmond,RichmondTimes-Dispatch,Richmond.com,RVANews,WorkItRichmond,WRICTV8,WTVRCBS6,WWBTNBC12

Bag Sponsor: CapitalPackagingandDesign

Registration:Isis,Inc.

Host: GreaterRichmondConventionCenter

Mailing:ADirectConnection

Connect With us on:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Retail Marketing Expo Event Sponsors

Cause Marketing Panel: A Recap“We’reabigbeliever inbeingcorporatecitizens,”saidSarahPaxton,VPofLaDIF-FÉRENCE,aretailfurniturestorelocatedintheShockoeDesignDistrictofRichmond.

TheCauseMarketingPanel Lunch, spon-soredbyFeedMore,atthe2012RetailMar-ketingExpofeaturedfourwell-establishedand successful Richmond retailers. Thepanelists,whichheldacaptiveaudienceofalmost150people,highlightedtheirex-perienceengaginginthecommunityandgiving back as a business. They sharedwhytheyteamupwithnon-profitcharitiesandlocalcausesandhowithelpstomar-kettheirbusiness.

Gary Weiner, President/CEO of SaxonShoes,believes teamingupwithacauseis a proven way to establish and buildawarenessofyourbusinesswithinacom-munity, while giving back to somethingyoubelievein:

“It’sawayofhavingpeopletalkaboutusinsteadofustalkingaboutourselves.”

But according to Weiner, you must pickand choose which causes your businessshould involve itselfwith.Hebelievesyouhaveabiggerimpactwhenyou’reabletoproduce,say,20greatfundraisingevents,asopposedto50mediocreones.

“Pickacauseand see if itmeans some-thingtoyou,”saidWeiner.

MarkSmith,ownerofMidasofCentralVir-ginia,believesthatwhenpickingacause,you should followandengagewith yourheart and then help build it with yourhead.Smithsaiditcantakeyearstobuildtraction with an organization but, onceyoudo,you’llbeamazedathowthear-chitectureofthenon-profitgrows.

Paxtontouchedongettingemployeesin-volvedwithacharity, statingthatLaDIF-FÉRENCEemployeesare required in theirjobdescriptiontoparticipate.Heremploy-

eesseevolunteeringasabenefitbecausetheycandoitatwork,whensomanyoth-erpeoplehave little tono spare time tovolunteerintheirprivatelives.

GaryGlover,PresidentofPuritanCleaners,believesRichmondisanexcellentlocationtoworktogetherwithacausebecauseithas such a generous community who iswillingtogiveback.

“When you’re passionate about some-thing, others are quick to follow,” saidGlover.

As farasa returnon investment, Smithbelieves the value of this lies with thebusinessowner,asyouwon’tnecessarilymakeaprofit.But,youwillseeareturninotherareas,suchasgainingnewcus-tomerswhoshareapassionforthesamecauseyourbusinesssupports.

“Eventuallyboththebusinessandcharityworktogether,butyouneedtobesustain-able before you can support a cause,”wasSmith’sadvicetotheaudience.

Sometimes, if you’ve done everythingright, the non-profit or cause youpart-nered with may outgrow you. Paxtonsays it’sagood thingwhen theydon’tneedyouanymore. Thenyou’vedoneyourjobwellandhavehelpedthenon-profit to expand beyond what you’reabletoofferthem.

Think. Shop. Buy. Local®

The Think. Shop. Buy. Local® campaignhadastrongpresenceattheRetailMar-ketingExpowithitsexhibitingbooth.Heav-ily involved RMA members volunteeredtheirtimeattheboothtohelpspreadtheTSBLmessagetoExpoattendees.

Thesevolunteersincluded:JamesHatcherof Pleasants Hardware, Susan Daniels ofGoodFoodsGrocery,SarahPaxtonofLa

Cause Marketing Panel Lunch at the Expo with Mark Smith (Midas of Central Virginia), Gary Glover (Puritan Clean-ers), Sarah Paxton (LADIFF), Gary Weiner (Saxon Shoes)

DIFFÉRENCE,MarkSmithofMidasofCen-tral Virginia, and Gary Glover of PuritanCleaners.

Think. Shop.Buy. Local isamember-on-ly initiative that supports putting dollarsbackintoourlocaleconomy.Itdoesthisbyencouragingshopperstothinkbeforethey shopand tobuy locallywheneverpossible.

To become involved in the Think. Shop.Buy.Localmovement,ortofindoutmoreinformationaboutit,visithttp://www.think-shopbuylocal.com.

For low cost Think. Shop. Buy. Local ad-vertising opportunities, contact [email protected].


AbsoluteAsphalt

BlaesCommunicationsConsulting,LLC

BlessedBasketJustforYou

BrightSide

CommonwealthEstateSales,LLC

CraveFrozenYogurtCafé

Danny’sFlowerMarket

DataDirections

EagleStrategies,LLC

WELCoME nEW MEMBERS

Left to right Top Row: Keith Bray (Fibrenew of North Richmond), Steve Carlton (Lulu’s Creamery), Dave Emmerling (Buff and Coat), James Kirby (Village Flooring), Scott Laymen (Southern Elevator), Andrew Wilhelm (Clarion Hotel Central), Paul Heitz (Amour Wine Bistro), David French (Clarion Hotel Central), Rasik Kotadia (Clarion Hotel Central), Tracy Massenburg (Layers Bed Company), Jared Stone (Energy Max Solutions), Paul Keller (Paul H. Keller Drafting & Design), Darryl Badley (AFLAC Virginia)

Left to right Bottom Row: Cheryl Jarvis (Designs by Cheryl), Anne O’Meally (Virginia Lottery), Jill Vaughan (Virginia Lottery), Debra Nicholson (Village Flooring), Gwynne Brown (WCVE-TV Community Ideas Station), Geraldine Grady (WCVE-TV Community Ideas Station)

TheFirestarterGroup

FirstCitizensBank

GreenstoneCommercial,LLC

Hinkle&Company,LLC

HolidaySigns,Inc.

Jerry’sRestaurant

LegalShield–LilianaLara

MonarchMortgage

PatriciaBranchInc.

PrecisionIR

RRushtonPaulConsulting,LLC

RichmondMagazine

RVATours

SweetFrogEnterprises,LLC

3Sports

ThxEconomy

TouchedByAnAngel

VirginiaPhotobooths&More

WinningTasteCatering

Zinga!FrozenYogurt

This is just a sampling of all the new Members who have joined RMA. To view the full list, visit RetailMerchants.com/NewMembers

Virginia Credit union Goes Mobile

‘ExpoBooks’fromcover

anxietythatmayemergewhenconsid-eringhow to involveyourbusinesswitha non-profit or charity. This book leadsthe reader through theprocesses,withbasiccampaignconceptssuchaspin-ups (cards donators sign when donat-ing money at the checkout counter)and coin jars (secured to the counter,ofcourse),whichhelpbusinessownerseaseintotheircampaign.

Althoughsomemoredauntingprocess-esareexplained,likebuildinganonlinemarketing strategy and cold callingprospects, thebook is layeredwithhu-mor,making itanenjoyableandpain-lessread.YoucanfindoutevenmoreatJoeWaters’sblog:selfishgiving.com

Bothofthesebookscanbepurchasedonlineatwww.BN.com.

Lastsummer,theVirginiaCreditUnion(VACU) began allowingmembers todeposittheirchecksvirtually—viatheirsmart phones. This means memberscanbeanywhereatanytime,andalltheyneed todo is takeapictureoftheircheckwiththeirsmartphone.

InRichmond,VACUisoneofthefirstcommunity banks or local creditunions to provide this service to itspatrons.

The progressive service is advanta-geous compared to previous re-quirements, which required accountholders tophysicallygotoabranch,use an ATM, or send mail. This is agoodmodel of how technologyhasevolvedtobetterserveoursociety.

SinceVACU’smobilebankingservicewaslaunchedlastsummer,ithasseenalmost35,000ofitscustomerssignuptoutilizetheservice.

Top Row (Left to right): Mike Sposa (Zinga Frozen Yogurt), Chris Dudley (707 Fine Clothing), Kathleen Richardson (The Urban Farmhouse Market & Café), Dayal Baxani (707 Fine Clothing), Bill Taggart (Junk King of Central VA), Jeff Newkirk (MindFuel Marketing Co-Op), Whitney Welsh (McDonalds), Jermaine Minor (Minor Interiors), Harvey Chambers (Seniors Helping Seniors), Jayne Armstrong (Small Business Administration), Jennifer Mease (Accent Professional Recruiting), R. Rushton Paul (R Rush-ton Paul Consulting), Hallie Oxley (Information Management Solutions), Angie Furbee (Accent Professional Recruiting), Alfred Hinkle (Hinkle & Company), Amy Hughes (Page Stationery), Dan Jones (Starbucks), Tricia Branch (Patricia Branch Inc.), Adam Syprzak (Commonwealth Estate Sales), Taylor Johnson (Page Stationery), Jimmy Hartson (Mitchell, Wiggins & Company), Jeff Love (Mitchell, Wiggins & Company), Rhonda Collins (Touched by An Angel), Tom Puryear (Mitchell, Wiggins & Company), Val-erie Blaes (Blaes Communications Consulting), Bill Young (Mitchell, Wiggins & Company), Marshall Whaling (Little Big Business Solutions), John Keller (Little Big Business Solutions), Joe Elias (Little Big Business Solutions)

Bottom Row (Left to right): Brennan Spoonhower (Silent Partner Media), Kathrine Gates (Brio Tuscan Grille), Melanie Clements (Brio Tuscan Grille), Sandra Carrique (Smiley’s Mobile Glass Shop), Patty Gill (PattyGill, PLC), Warrenell Spindle (Blessed Basket Just For You), Claire Cooper (N1 Executive Health), Renee Baldwin (Winning Taste Catering), Michelle Covington (Mitchell, Wiggins & Company), Lori Stone (Bright Side), Kathryn Gray (N1 Executive Health), Dr. Christine Allen (N1 Executive Health)


CoMMunITY EVEnTS

RetailMerchantsAssociationwould liketogiveabig“thankyou” to theHenri-coTransitionTeamforhelpingRMAwithmanyprojects,suchasassemblingcon-ference bags for RMA events, like theRetailMarketingExpoandRetailers4Life.

These students have also worked to-gether with RMA members, includingSaxon Shoes, Sports Backers,and localChick-Fil-Alocations.

TheCooperativeWork Experience Pro-gram(CoWEP)isfundedbytheHenrico

Bing Bingham Prepping a Bag for the Retail Marketing Expo

Henrico Transition Team Helps RMA Prepare for the EXPo

County Public Schools Department ofExceptional Education and aims to in-troduce students to job skills within theclassroomandthroughavarietyofworkenvironments.

Ifyourbusinessisinterestedinassistancewith a one-time project, scheduling aregular work crew, or if you have anyquestions, contact the Transition Teamofficeat804.515.1149.

PJ Randolph and Chip Cassada Preparing Bags for the Retail Marketing Expo

Linda B. Maillet (Instructor) and PJ Randolph Preparing a Bag for the Retail Marketing Expo

Title Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors SunTrustBank

VirginiaCreditUnionPuritanCleaners

Bronze Sponsor VectorSecurity

Awards Sponsor C.P.Dean

Special Gifts Sponsor JackKreuterJewelers

Table Host Sponsors GlobalSpectrum

JamesRiverTransportationOwens&Minor

EVBGatewayBank

RichmondMetropolitanConvention&VisitorsBureau

RichmondAlarmCo.DominionPayrollSystems

AdmiralSecurityFreeAgentsMarketingRichmondFlyingSquirrels

GreaterRichmondConventionCenter

Print Media Sponsor RichmondTimes-Dispatch

Graphic Design Sponsor FreshStartDesignStudio

Printing Sponsor Printersmark

Audio Visual Sponsor VisualAidsElectronics

Sign Sponsor Keith-FabryReprographics

Photography Sponsor RobertThomasPhotography

online Media Sponsor Richmond.com

Mailing Sponsor ADirectConnection

Valor Awards SponsorsA special thank you to our 23rd Annual Valor Awards Sponsors.


october 5 The 23rd Annual Valor Awards

The 23rd Annual Valor Awards Breakfast & CeremonySince 1989, RMAhas beenproducing theannual Valor AwardsBreakfastandCeremonyasawayforthebusinesscommunitytorecognizearea lawenforcementofficers, firefighters andemer-gencyservicesproviderswhohavegoneaboveandbeyondthecallofdutyinservingtheircommunity.Arealawenforcementandfirechiefswillpresenttheawards.

oCToBER

5 23rdAnnualValorAwardsBreakfast&Ceremony

23 Connect@5807

noVEMBER

2 EconomicForecastPanelBreakfast

6 RetailAuthorityMentoring

16 RecycleDayatRMA

20 MemberPowerHour

27 [email protected]

DECEMBER

7 DistinguishedRetaileroftheYearandHolidayCelebration

2012 EventCalendar

REGISTER noWScanthecodebelowtogototheregistrationpage


REGISTER ToDAY!october 23

Connect@ 5807JoinusatourConnect@5807onOctober23rd,2012.NetworkafterworkwithotherRMAmembersandenjoy lightfareandbeverages in a buzzing retail atmosphere. This event will beheldinthevibrantPattersonestablishment,TheShopsat5807,whichhostsacollectionofboutiques.Theideaanddesignbe-hind thisconvenientonestopshoppingdestination is togivethecustomeraccesstobothcreativeanduniquegiftsforev-eryoneonyourlist,includingyourself.

november 2 Economic Forecast Panel Breakfast

We’ve gathered three highly regarded experts—to speak toyou honestly and directly aboutwhat our shared economicfutureholds.Theywillofferinsighttohelpyouformulateyourstrategygoingforward.Hearthemostup-to-dateinformationtohelpyoumakethemostoftherestofthisyearalongwithahintofwhatyoushouldexpectfor2013.Whateveryourbusi-nessis;comelisten,learn,andnetwork.

november 27 Connect@ C.P. Dean

Come connect with fellow RMA-members at the signatureConnect@networkingeventatC.P.Dean.Takealookatthenewlocationofthislong-standingbilliardandgameroomre-tailer.C.P.Deanwillprovidebeveragesandlightfaretoenjoy.

December 7 Distinguished Retailer of the Year and Holiday Celebration

TheDistinguishedRetaileroftheYearAwardshavebeenpre-sentedsince1966.Thisawardisdesignedtohonoramemberof the Richmond retail business community who is a provenleaderinhis/herfirmandwhoisactivelyinvolvedincommunityendeavorswithoutregardtopersonalbenefit.PleasejoinusaswepaytributetoRMA’s2012DistinguishedRetaileroftheYearandcelebratetheholidayseason.

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAID RICHMOND, VAPERMIT #2254

RetailMerchantsAssociation|5101MonumentAvenue|Richmond,VA23230Phone(804)662-5500|Tollfree(866)750-2532|www.RetailMerchants.com

Facebook.com/RetailMerchantsFacebook.com/ThinkShopBuyLocalFacebook.com/RetailMarketingXTwitter.com/RetailMerchantsTwitter.com/RetailMktgExpo

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Thanks to all of you for the help...We asked a lot of you, and we wanted you to know how much we appreciate your fine work! You guys are the best.

“

“–Susan RoweUkrop’s Homestyle Foods, Inc.

The Retail Partners newsletter covers RMA news with the latest updates on retail and service industry practices,

RMA member updates, and upcoming events.

AdvertisingwiththeRetailPartnersNewsletterisanexcellentopportunityforyourbusinesstoreachmorethan

2,500readerswhoreceiveourpublication.

Toadvertiseinfutureissues,[email protected].

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october 5, 2012Honoring the Heroism of the

Richmond Region’s Law Enforcement, Firefighters

& EMS Personnel

the 2012 retail marketing expo wrap-up expo books—reviewed · keting for dummies,” was...

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