AmericasMart is introducing a program for retailers designed to help them be more successful, beginning at the January show.

Named AmericasMart University, the program will offer core and elective sessions at three levels, basic, intermediate and advanced. The one- to two-hour sessions will be held Friday through Sunday of market and at completion of the core program, attendees will receive recognition and an AmericasMart MBA degree.

Jeffrey L. Portman, president of AMC Inc., parent of AmericasMart Atlanta, said the program was developed from a Board of Advisers meeting of retailers and exhibitors discussing ways "we continue to make AmericasMart the market of necessity."

"This is an educational program in conjunction with industry experts to create quality content designed to give them tools necessary to stay competitive and help them grow their business," he said.

Portman also said the program uses leading business consultants who specialize in retailing, including basics, buying and selling and building a brand, as well as strategists and experts in business planning, modeling and development.

"This is about performance excellence," Portman said. "If we do our job and provide retailers with these sources, based on our research, this program will be a huge benefit for retailers and another distinguishing factor between AmericasMart and other markets. We have allocated an unlimited amount of time and resources to make sure we get the right people."

Elective classes will be driven by the product centers the market serves, Portman said, including holiday, gift, home accents and garden.

The classes are available at no cost to retailers, but pre-registration is suggested. Retailers can register on the Web site, www.AmericasMart.com. For more information, contact Julie Auton, 404-220-2116.