Wednesday, June 13, 2012

**All Wednesday events will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC)

8:00 – 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast
Start your morning on the right foot with ASTRA. Join us for a continental breakfast and chat with ASTRA friends over hot coffee and a light breakfast.

8:30-9:30 AM
Choose One Session

Retail Session
The Simple Truths of Service inspired by Johnny the Bagger
Barbara Glanz, Morale Moven
This session is based on an unforgettable story about a young man with Down Syndrome who changed the culture of a grocery store by being creative and giving customers more than they expect. You will learn ten simple truths of service that will help you to reshape your store culture around serving the customer. It will grab your heart and get your creative juices flowing on ways to create “customer enthusiasm” in your organization.

Retail Session
Pricing For Profit
Phil Wrzesinkski, Toy House and Baby Too
Back by Popular Demand! Phil Wrzesinski will discuss ways to increase profits through pricing from a customer’s perspective. Perception is reality, and your customer’s perception of your store’s prices are part of your public. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to discount to have value. In fact, you can increase your prices and sell more at the same time.

Retail Session
Products for Children with Special Needs
Kids love to play, and children with disabilities are no different. Your store is known for your exemplary service—especially your skill at helping parents and grandparents select toys that fit the specific needs of the child. This session will help you increase your knowledge and comfort level about recommending toys for kids with a wide range of special needs.

Retail Session
Protecting Your Assets
Ric Edelman, Edelman Financial Services
Given today’s economy, it’s not unreasonable to be worried. The good news, though, is that you can still achieve your financial goals. Ric Edelman, twice named the #1 independent financial advisor in the nation by Barron’s, will show you:
   • The one thing most business owners don’t plan for
   • Why business owners are such lousy investors
   • The 4 proven investment rules you must follow today to help you reach your goals

Retail Session
Building Eye Catching Window Displays
Erin Blanton, Pufferbellies Toys & Books for Children
What’s in your windows? Have you run out of good display ideas? This session combines a high dose of inspiration with practical display tips and tricks from other ASTRA members. See creative windows designed for stores like yours. Share timesaving and budget conscious ideas with others.

Closing Keynote Session

10:00 AM-Noon
Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm – Creating a Workplace of Passion, Purpose and Productivity
Barbara Glanz, Morale Maven
Is your organization experiencing overwhelming change, high employee turnover and low morale, increases in customer complaints, or burnout from having to do more with less? Are your employees struggling to find a balance between their work and home lives or do they simply need a boost of positive energy? If so, Barbara Glanz can help you!

Raise morale, reduce turnover, increase productivity, and have more fun at work – the wonderful news is that all this can occur in your workplace with very little cost. In this presentation you will learn how to create a work environment where people treat one another like valuable human beings with a sense of mission that their work is important and where appreciation and joy are present, no matter how serious the work may be.

You will learn dozens of real-life, creative, low cost, immediately applicable ideas that you can implement in your own workplace to maximize personal productivity and organizational success.