The Gift and Home Trade Association hosted its fifth annual conference in La Jolla, Calif., last month, with more than 300 attendees at the event.

The organization includes sales reps, sales agency owners, vendors and retailers in the gift and home businesses.

During a series of break-out sessions, attendees delved into such topics as marketing, dealing with the media, negotiating contracts and compensation strategies. Speakers including Max Carey, Boaz Rauchwerger and Cheryl Karpen offered a variety of motivational messages and strategies for success in this challenging business climate.

“Feedback about this year's conference was overwhelmingly positive,” said 2007 GHTA President Kelly Dierke. “It seemed as though each person took away at least one great business idea that left them believing in their own bright futures.”

Social events during the conference included a golf outing at Torrey Pines golf course, evening cocktail parties and an expedition to Tijuana, Mexico, for a shopping and dinner excursion. Capping off the weekend were a cocktail party, silent auction and dinner to close the event.

The next conference will be in Sanibel Island, Fla., in November 2008.

The GHTA board, event organizers and staff.

A roomful of attendees watches a session at the GHTA conference in La Jolla, Calif., last month.

Sherrie Ness, Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, Calif.; Gina Zagerman, Waterloo Gardens, Exton, Pa.; Kelly Portmann, Thymes; Carol Schroeder, Orange Tree Imports, Madison, Wis.; and Christiana Kippels, Thymes.

Speaker Max Carey gets the conference started with The Five Manageable Marketing Truths.

OneCoast's Susan Thoen makes a point during one of the sessions.

Jeff Amon of Deco Breeze with Adrienne Boyer of Mud Pie.

Marc Rice of Fox, Mickey Lang of CMA, and George Kacic of Ganz.

Diane Carnevale Jones, left, Professional Marketing; Betsy Harrington, Woodstock Chimes; Ted Teele, OneCoast; Sherrie Ness, Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, Calif.; and Dan Lach, Red Carpet Studios, take to the beach on a nature walk in La Jolla, Calif.

Speaker Boaz Rauchwerger entertains retailer Sonia Mott of Motif Home Decor, Hubertus, Wis.

Debbie Glud and Kelly Gunn of Lineworks enjoy the visit to Tijuana.

Doug Cofiell of Ivystone, George Kacic of Ganz and Kelly Dierke of Ron Bauman & Associates.