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Highlights From the Phoenix 2009 MSA Retail Conference & Expo!
Attendees of the 2009 MSA Conference & Expo enjoyed four days of networking, learning and shopping in Phoenix, AZ, in May. The 2009 Conference featured our first program completely designed around MSA’s Knowledge Standards, featuring content from three of the eight standards: Merchandise Planning, Strategic Management and Customer Relations. In addition, MSA instituted several eco-friendly initiatives for the 2009 event, making it our greenest Conference ever!
Here's a brief snapshot of the events and activities that took place this year. And don't forget, you can see more photos and comments from attendees by becoming a fan of MSA on Facebook! New to social networking? Here are some tips on getting started on Facebook.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Learning Experiences
Attendees had a choice between two pre-Conference events to local cultural institutions and their stores: 1) Desert Caballeros Western Museum Learning Experience or 2) Shop Hop Experience to Scottsdale- and Phoenix-area Museum Stores. Participants perused the prized collection of great Western artists at Desert Caballeros and explored the shops at the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Desert Botanical Gardens.
Meet and Greet
Thanks to MSA's Western Chapter for welcoming all attendees at Friday night's get-together at the Networks Bar & Grille in the Hyatt. Delegates enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones, and everyone enjoyed the prizes that were given away by the stores of several Western Chapter cultural institutions.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Sessions and Meetings
On this first official day of the Conference, delegates were able to jump right in with timely sessions on thriving during a slow economy, employee motivation, gems and jewelry, marketing ideas, a retailers idea exchange, retail trends and more! In the afternoon, colleagues from like-museums got together to discuss current issues.
This year's general session, "Create a Service-focused Team," was presented by Lisa Ford, an expert in customer service. Lisa spoke about the environment you must create to encourage a strong, involved team, as well as your role in modeling the right behavior and the strategies to maintain the right service attitude.
Chapter Meetings
Held in the afternoon, chapter meetings were well-attended and gave members a chance to network early in the weekend with their local peers. Meeting minutes, as well as information about fall chapter meetings, are posted to the MSA Web site as soon as the information is received, so check your chapter pages for more details.
Get Your Bearings Briefing
First-time and international attendees mixed and mingled and received valuable insight and guidance from seasoned pros of the Conference & Expo.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Membership Meeting
The 2009 – 2010 MSA board of directors and chapter secretaries were introduced as they took office and incoming President Meta Devine spoke about the changes and challenges cultural commerce professionals are currently facing and how the MSA board is continuing to focus their work on MSA's strategic plan goals.
If you weren't able to attend the annual meeting, you can read the entire speeches of the outgoing and incoming MSA board presidents, as well as a report from the MSA treasurer:
In addition, several awards were presented at the meeting:
- The first MSA Cultural Tourism Award was presented to Rosemary McCormick of the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and Sheila Armstrong of Shop America Alliance – read the press release.
- Carolyn Forsman of Carolyn Forsman Conversation Piece Jewelry received the MSA 2009 Service Award – read the press release.
- Irene Light of Nature's Niche Stores of Hamilton County Parks District in Ohio was recognized with the MSA 2009 Merit Award – read the press release.
- MSA presented the Knowledge Standards Work Group with the 2009 Merit Award – read the press release.
Members Market and the MSA Expo
Attendees were able to spend a full day shopping Members Market and the Expo. Twenty-five Museum Members showcased their collection-inspired products at Members Market, a unique tabletop venue with merchandise developed by museum stores for museum stores. Nearly 340 exhibitors displayed their one-of-a-kind, mission-specific products and services at the Expo.
Wine & Cheese Reception at the Phoenix Art Museum
The day ended with a wine and cheese reception at the beautiful Phoenix Art Museum. MSA would like to thank the institution for hosting a wonderful event!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Educational Sessions
Topics for the morning and afternoon educational sessions included informative presentations on e-commerce, retail and social responsibility, book buying strategies, passive income generators, deciphering the new product safety legislation and cost-effective museum store design.
MSA Expo and the Passport Winner
The shopping continued on Monday at the MSA Expo where attendees rushed to wrap up their last-minute orders. Congratulations to this year’s passport winner, Marie Napoli of the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, VA. Marie won a trip to the 2010 MSA Retail Conference & Expo in Austin, TX, complete with Conference registration, three nights
hotel stay and round-trip coach airfare.
Buyer's Choice Awards Winners
Attendees of the 2009 MSA Expo cast their votes in the Buyer’s Choice contest and awarded top honors in six product categories. View the 2009 winners!
MSA would also like to congratulate the attendees who received one of the Buyer’s Choice winning products as a prize in a drawing for those who voted in the contest:
- Barbara Schrade, The Tang Museum at Skidmore College, Saratoga Spring, NY
- Keith Ryan, Fallingwater – Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Mill Run, PA
- Cindy Byrd, Reynolda House – Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC
- Amy Reville, Burchfield-Penney Art Center, Buffalo, NY
- Ruth Ann Steenburgh, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, VA
- Carroll Tiernan, Maine Audubon, Falmouth, ME
MSA Proud to “Give Back” to its Host City of Phoenix
MSA and many Expo vendors donated leftover conference materials and exhibit items to the local Mesa Public Schools system. Since many Expo products items are educational in nature, they were perfect to donate to the school district. Read the press release.
Cause for Celebration Sam Greenberg Fundraiser
To raise money for the Sam Greenberg Scholarship Fund, delegates and exhibitors relaxed with a margarita or two at the Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Mi Amigo's Mexican Grill. Thanks to all who donated to make it possible for new Museum Members to attend next year's Conference & Expo. Contributions are accepted year-round.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Farewell Breakfast and Discussions
Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed a wonderful breakfast together and began to say their farewells until next year. Then the Conference wrapped up with discussions by gross sales to give attendees a chance to exchange some final ideas with their peers.
MSA would like to thank all who participated in the 54th MSA Retail
Conference & Expo for making the event such a success. We look
forward to seeing you next April in Austin, TX!
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