MMPI adds two seminars to High Point event lineup

Angelo Surmelis of HGTV to speak

-- Home Accents Today, 4/9/2009 11:22:00 AM

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has added two seminars to its lineup of events at the spring High Point Market. Both will take place in Market Square, space 272, on Monday, April 27.

"What we are hearing from buyers is that they are coming to market not only to buy but also to learn how to navigate this transition that is happening in our industry," said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing for MMPI High Point. "All three of these speakers have incredible insights to share on this subject. I know attendees will walk away from this with actionable information."

Both are free and no RSVP is required. They are:

• Learn How YourFurnitureLink.com is Positioning Local Retailers for Survival and Success
9-10 a.m. Presenters: Vicki Semke of Mig and Tig and Jerod Lazan of Mortise Tenon

Learn how two successful boutique home furnishings retailers are using the Internet to drive sales through brick-and-mortar stores. Semke and Lazan created Yourfurniturelink.com to provide manufacturer information for consumers researching home furnishings products. There is no pricing or e-commerce on the site; instead consumers are referred to retailers in their local market to make their purchase. As budgets become tighter, American home furnishings retailers, manufacturers, distributors and sales representatives are forced to rethink how to maximize marketing budgets to increase customer traffic. Discover how the Internet can be a very cost-effective tool for building customer relationships and driving foot traffic into your store.

• Your Customer is Still Out There, Find Out Where and What They Want

10:30-11:30 a.m. Presenter: Angelo Surmelis, designer/host from HGTV and TLC
Angelo Surmelis is the popular host of "Rate My Space with Angelo Surmelis," the big-budget HGTV makeover series. Discover what he has learned through his daily interactions with consumers through his TV shows over the past six years and as a designer for the past 15. Angelo believes the customer is still there and her needs haven't really changed much, but who the customer is and their knowledge has. Walk away with the insight and excitement that Angelo has for this industry, which has led to the launch of his furniture line debuting this summer.