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Retail Merchants Association Calendar and Sponsored Events (in Black)
Various Chamber Events, Lynch’s Landing , and Other Organization Events (in Blue)
JANUARY
January 17th, 2012
RMA Annual Member Business Luncheon
Join us for lunch as we recap our accomplishments for 2011, and give you an overview of what we’re planning for 2012.
Our theme for the event is “Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going.” We were recently provided with a nice [hardbound] publication from 1952 printed by the News and Advance in honor of RMA’s 50th anniversary. This great piece of RMA history, and members from that time, will be the focal point of our 2012 Annual Meeting.
Local historian Dr. Clifton Potter, of Lynchburg College, will be our guest speaker as we take a look at our incredible history. This event provides us the opportunity to recognize accomplishments of the past year, acknowledge our Corporate Sponsors and volunteers, network with other local businesses, and enjoy an excellent lunch provided by the James River Conference Center. This year’s event will also include a raffle of some nice donated prizes from The Framery of Lynchburg, Peaks of Otter Winery, Hamilton’s Jewelers and L. Oppleman Pawn Shop. Table centerpieces are being donated by Angelic Haven Floral & Gifts.
Cost: $11 member / $7 guests accompanied by a member
Corporate Sponsor For This Event
January 27th (Friday)
Coffee Talk – 8 am – 10 am
The Drowsey Poet, Located in Givens Books on Lakeside Drive
Join us for January Coffee talk as we kick off the first networking event of 2012! If you love good things to eat, coffee to get you going, and great networking to start your day… join us!! Coffee is provided and the Drowsey Poet has a nice selection of bagels, sweets, and sandwiches!
Again it’s 8:00-10 am. Come any time during those hours, bring business cards etc.
January’s Coffee Talk Sponsor: Big Door Photography
January 31st (Tuesday) All Day Event :
Virginia Business Day / Richmond VA
Join VRMA along with our business partners, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, for a packed agenda with lots of useful information for you and your business. Invited guests include Governor Bob McDonnell, with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Learn what key state lawmakers are planning to achieve during the legislative session. Learn what other business organizations will be focusing on during the session. Meet your local Senators and Delegates. Network with other business owners. Have your voice heard!
Overnight accommodations are available at the Marriott Hotel. A special rate of $144 plus tax has been secured for this special event. Please ask for the Virginia Retail Merchants Association room block. The Marriott Hotel phone number is 1-800-228-9290.
Call Debbie or Laurie at the Retail Merchants Association (434.528.1732) for registration information.
FEBRUARY
February 17th (Friday)
Social Media Institute – 9 am
Retail Merchants Association extends an invitation to The Social Media Institute’s [monthly] social media and technology training events. SMI is an organization in the Central Virginia region that provides affordable, ongoing social media and technology training. By engaging and educating a community of local organizations on new media, advancing their knowledge, skills and practice of using the internet to have influence, our organization will aid in the growth and prosperity of the Central Virginia region.
Where: Bentley Commons’ Media Room, 1604 Graves Mill Road
When: Every 3rd Friday of the Month, 9:00 AM
BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer)
January 20: Domain Registrars & Site Builders
February 17: Social Media Marketing Campaigns
March – December will be added to our on-line calendar soon.
Click HERE to visit The Social Media Institute’s website.
Coffee is provided. Please chip in a small donation or feel free to bring breakfast treats to share.
Sponsored by: JailBreak Creative, SingleTree Media, Tucker Hosting, Hello Nifty, Lynchburg Retail Merchants Association
February 24th (Friday)
Coffee Talk – 8 am – 10 am
Sweet Stella’s Bakery, 7101 Timberlake Rd
Join us for February Coffee talk as we welcome Sweet Stella’s Bakery to the RMA family. FREE Networking event, 8-10 am. Sweet Stella’s Bakery is located at 7106 Timberlake Road (former Dunkin Donuts building). If you love sweet things to eat, coffee to get you going, and great networking to start your day… join us!! Coffee is provided and the Sweet Stellas has a nice selection of bagels, croissants, muffins, and (of course) donuts!
Again it’s 8:00-10 am. Come any time during those hours, bring business cards etc.
February 28th ~ Workshop
Bedrooms, Board Rooms & The Bottom Line
Does the home life of your employees and staff affect their work performance? This workshop will help you learn how to effectively improve both. While Bedrooms, Boardrooms and the Bottom Line is targeted for H.R. staff and managers, it will be helpful for anyone interested in the impact of personal relationships on performance in the workplace.
“Personal relationships affect business productivity in a big way.” Regardless of the size of your business, if you or your employees are experiencing distress in personal and family relationships, it IS affecting work.
Larry Compter, M.A., C.F.L.E, Executive Director of the Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia. Larry will present the empirical evidence for the connection between relationship success and the bottom line.
Join your local Retail Merchants Association in partnership with the Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia. CLICK HERE to register.
Location: Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, 404 Cabell St.
Cost: $20 (includes all materials and lunch)
MARCH
March 5th & 6th (Monday & Tuesday)
Retail Workshop with Marc Willson
Monday – Workshop Session 8 am – 9:45 am
Retail Expert Marc Willson brings 35 years of experience refining and promoting retail, restaurant and tourism-related small business concepts to the public. He is known as an operation’s expert and has counseled countless retailers in best practices, marketing and customer service acumen and has conducted numerous seminars and presentations to keep small retailers relevant in this difficult economic time.
Defining your customer
Customer retention
Buying habits in a recession
Retail and restaurant math
Balance sheets, debt to asset ratios and P&L’s
Lenders, vendors and landlords
Merchandising
Marketing and promotions
Online marketing and social networking
In addition to the workshop, which will last approximately 2 hours, Marc will be scheduling individual appointments. He will meet with for 1-2 hour sessions and look at things you could be doing to increase your marketability and appeal. Sessions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be totally confidential.
Please CLICK HERE for more information and to register. There’s a place to indicate whether or not you would like a personal session for your business. Someone will call and schedule the date/time.
Sponsored by the Retail Merchants Association & Small Business Development Center
March 30th (Friday) ~ COFFEE TALK
APRIL
WLNI & WSET/ Buy Local Month Advertising
HILL CATS Tickets available to members from RMA
April 10th (Tuesday) New Members Welcome Breakfast
The Premier Room, 3727 Old Forest Road~ 8:30 – 9:45 am
Join us on Tuesday, April 10th as we welcome you to our Association! Learn how to get the most out of your RMA membership.
Thanks for RMA Members:
Host: Premier Limousine Service
Breakfast: Charley’s Restaurant
Reservations needed. Contact Laurie Gulluscio at (434) 528-1732 or email laurie@lynchburgrma.com
April 19th (Thursday)
Woman’s Workshop – TBA
April 27th ~ COFFEE TALK
MAY
May 8th – Workshop / TBA
May 25th
Speed Networking, evening event
Place and Time: TBD
NO COFFEE TALK IN MAY (Replaced by Speed Networking above)
JUNE
June 29th ~ COFFEE TALK
JULY
Christmas in July BUY LOCAL kick off / BUY LOCAL
Holiday Tags offered (entire month)
July 27th ~ COFFEE TALK
AUGUST
College Students Return
August 7th (Tuesday)
Tradeshow: Business Boot Camp & Media Expo – Time/Location TBA
August 31st (Friday) ~ Coffee Talk
SEPTEMBER
September 27th (Thursday)
Bedford Chamber of Commerce EXPO
September 28th (Friday) ~ Coffee Talk
OCTOBER
Ads due for November/ December co-op advertising magazine marketing ~ inquire early.
October 2nd (Tuesday) – Workshop TBD
October 16th (Tuesday) NEW MEMBER Breakfast
8:30 am – 9:45 am ~ Location TBA
Join us on Tuesday, October 16h as we welcome you to our Association! Learn how to get the most out of your RMA membership.
Thanks for RMA Member Sponsors:
Host: TBA
Breakfast: TBA
Reservations needed. Contact Laurie Gulluscio at (434) 528-1732 or email laurie@lynchburgrma.com
October 26th (Friday) ~ COFFEE TALK
NOVEMBER
November 9th (Friday)
3rd Annual Wreath Auction benefiting the RMA Foundation
COFFEE TALK (TBA holiday date watch website)
November 23rd BLACK FRIDAY!
DECEMBER
December 14th (Friday) – LAST DAY of Wreath Auction
Online Auction site closes at 10:00 PM
