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8:20am – 9:20am
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ComicsPRO Registration + Morning Snacks
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FOYER
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8:45 am
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Annual Meeting 101
Todd Merrick
If you've never been to a ComicsPRO annual meeting, Todd will let you know what to expect.
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SALON AB
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| 9:20 am - 9:35 am
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Welcome
Marco Davanzo, Executive Director
ComicsPRO Board of Directors |
SALON AB |
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9:35 am – 10:35 am
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DC Entertainment + Q&A
Introduction by Peter Dolan, President of the Board
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SALON AB
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10:35 am – 11:10 am
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Membership Meeting
Introduction by Ralph Mathieu, Treasurer of the Board
Marco Davanzo, Executive Director
Committee reports
Director Candidates
Open Mic - Any member
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SALON AB
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11:10 am – 12:10 pm
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Marvel Comics + Q&A
Introduction by Peter Dolan, President of the Board
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SALON AB
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12:10 pm – 1:20 pm
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Retailer Lunch (Retailers Only)
Themed Tables
1. DC Table
2. Marvel Table, David Gabriel
3. Event Planning, Calum Johnston
4. Facebook Stream Sales - Keith Boyle
5. Partnering - Local Destinations - Daniel McAbee
6. Going on Buying Trips to Gift/Toy/Apparel Shows - Michael Steenbergen
7. Hand Selling Comics - Jermaine Exum
8. Behind the Counter Efficiency - Django Bohren
9. Retail Therapy: Coping with Stress during a Downturn - Joe Murray
10. Running Multiple Locations - Jeremy Tarney
11. Change Your Subscription Service Immediately - Richard Early
12. Selling Games at a Comic Shop - Tim Stolzfus
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CAROLINA BALLROOM
Boneless Chicken Breast
(Vegetarians/Vegans: Please ask for substitute meal)
Little Gems Salad, Citrus Segments, Shaved Marchego, Marcona Almonds, Ginger Cilantro Vinaigrette
Fresh Season Vegetables
Bourbon Pecan Pie
Coffee, Iced Tea
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1:30 pm – 2:20 pm
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3 BREAKOUT ROOM SEMINARS
1. ComicHub Stu Colson, Atom Frreeman - Salon C
ComicHub is so much more than a Point Of Sale system. It is the only POS in the comics industry that integrates Subscriptions, Customer Portal, modern Email Marketing tools, Integrated Web Store, Multi-Store Tools, International Store integration, Rewards, Gift Certificates, Layaway and Bounce Back programs. Not to mention the features in the Publisher Portal and Creator Portal. All seamlessly integrate to ensure the print comic industry continues to thrive in the digital era.
2. Book Club – Brian Hibbs, Comix Experience - Salon D
Brian has one of the most talked about Book Clubs in the industry. Come listen to to his experiences and the pitfalls to avoid when creating your own book club.
3. Pop-UP Comic Shop - Brian Polizzi - Salon E
Pop-Up Comic Shops is a web service that provides a fully operational, content-filled, e-commerce website made just for comic book retailers. Features include subscription management, embeddable cover galleries, marketing connectivity, a store calendar, an event ticketing system, a news blog, a stocked item database (entire Previews catalog offering), a monthly newsletter, and integration/sync with RMS/RMH/Comicsuite. Future plans include opening sales channels with TCGplayer, Ebay, and Amazon, adding additional product catalogs, and wish list functionality.
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SALON C
SALON D
SALON E
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| 2:25 pm – 3:10 pm |
Specialty Retail in 2019: Cutting Costs, Ordering for Profit, and Energizing Your People
Phil Boyle, Colisseum of Comics
Introduction by Board Member John Dudas
Based on his experience running the multi-store chain, Coliseum of Comics, Phil Boyle will discuss how to increase profits by cutting costs and ordering efficiently. He will also explain how to motivate staff to sell more in an Amazon World.
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SALON AB |
| 3:10 pm – 3:55 pm |
How Layouts and Displays can Increase Sales
Jenn Haines, the Dragon
Introduction by Board Member John Dudas
Jenn Haines will lead you through the principals and theory of store design, discussing the sights, sounds, and smells that will attract customers and keep them coming back. She'll discuss overall layout, colour theory, shelf-talkers, your counter area, and how to arrange individual displays. Based off Paco Underhill's exceptional book "Why We Buy", plus 20 years of retail experimentation, this presentation will help you understand how layout can be crucial in generating sales.
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SALON AB |
| 3:55 pm – 4:15 pm |
Break (Snacks) |
FOYER |
| 4:15 pm – 4:55 pm |
Social Media and Your Small Business Story
John Dudas, Carol and John's
Introduction by Board Member Tim Stoltzfus
John Dudas of Carol and John's Comic Book Shop will discuss how to engage your customers on social media by consistently telling your small business story. Tips on promoting events, maintaining your ongoing narrative, and how to create engaging posts will be included. John is a member of Facebook's Small Business Council, and regularly consults for Facebook on business page matters. He was also invited to attend Facebook's Community Leaders Summit early this month.
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SALON AB |
| 4:55 pm – 5:15 pm |
Social Big Foot
Jo Minieri, Tate's Comics
Anthony Ruiz, Tate's Comics
Introduction by Board Member Tim Stoltzfus
JoAnn and Anthon will explain how to navigate in today's social media driven world with professionalism and kindness. This panel is about social media growth and the pitfalls to try to avoid.
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SALON AB |
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5:15 pm – 5:35 pm
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Cross Promoting With Care
Jo Minieri, Tate's Comics
Anthony Ruiz, Tate's Comics
Introduction by Board Member Tim Stoltzfus
JoAnn and Anthony will give helpful hints, tips, and tricks to engaging your customers in conversation to help them find other products they may enjoy. There is an art to successful cross promotion.
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SALON AB |
5:35 pm - 6:00 pm
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Protecting Yourself When Buying Collections
Chuck Ivey, Local Attorney
Introduction by Board Member Colin McMahon
Are you doing everything you can to protect yourself when buying collections? Possession is not always 9/10th of the law! Chuck Ivey, a local attorney, will help you understand the issues that surround getting clear ownership of comics
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SALON AB |
| 6:00 - 6:10 |
Multitasking: Retailer to Publisher
Ryan Liebowitz, Golden Apple Books
Introduction by Board Member Colin McMahon
Ryan will explain how he got into publishing, after many years of being a successful retailer.
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SALON AB |
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6:10 PM – 6:40 pm
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Diversify! Build a Successful Hybrid Business
Stephen Smith, Big Easy Comics
Introduction by Board Member Colin McMahon
Stephen will discuss how to grow and protect your business by diversifying with adjacent product categories. Diversifying can help increase sales and mitigate risk, but you can’t introduce new product verticals in your store and expect them to succeed on their own. Stephen will give firsthand examples and provide essential concepts to help you make the best decision for your business.
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SALON AB |
| 6:40 |
Break for Dinner |
On Your Own |
| 8:30pm - 9:00pm |
Vendor and Creator Registration |
FOYER |
| 9:00 |
Creator Signing/Meet-Up
Get Books Signed by Visiting Creators
Rico Renzi
Brockton McKinney
Bridgit Connell
Andy Smith
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SALON CDE |
| 9:15 - 10:15 |
DARK HORSE Reception
Host Bar 9:15 - 10:15
Cash Bar 10:15 - 11:15 |
SALON CDE |