the next coastal connections conference will be taking place october 22-24, 2023!

Connections Conference
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Cast your net

Catch the hottest trends and fresh ideas for your seaside store at the Coastal Connections Conference. All the impactful educational sessions you need to grow your business will be offered in a relaxing, fun-filled environment. It's all here at Orlando's Margaritaville Resort, so dive in!

REGISTER TODAY!

sunday, october 22, 2023

Registration and badge pick-up

12:00 - 3:00 pm

Welcome and Opening Remarks

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Keynote: Mastering the inventory game

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Don't let your inventory get the best of you! You'll leave this session with out-of-the-box ideas and proven tools that will make managing your store's merchandise less work, more fun and even more profitable. 

Speaker: Dane Cohen, Management One

Afternoon Break

4:15 - 4:30 p.m.

Session II: Build an all-star team

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Hiring and retaining good employees doesn't have to be difficult. Learn what steps to take to create a loyal and hard-working team in your retail operation so you can worry less and rely on your employees more.

Speaker: William Hill, Margaritaville Resort Orlando Gift Shop

Speaker: Scott Hamblen, Sunshine Ace Hardware

Speaker: Kim Springsteen-Abbot, Lady Gryphon's Coastal Collection Shop

Speaker: Kathy Cruz, Savvy Shopkeeper

Welcome party

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Mingle with seaside retailers at the Coastal Connections Conference Welcome Party! Join in on the fun with cocktails and appetizers and get to know fellow attendees.


monday, october 23

Breakfast

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Session III: 45 rewarding ideas in 45 minutes

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Get your pen and paper ready, because you're going to want to jot these tips down. From app recommendations that make your life easier to display tips that will turn profits, you'll leave with 45 takeaways that you can put into practice immediately at your retail store!

Speaker: Cathy Nagle-Ervin, Retail Training Tools

morning break

10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Session IV: putting experiential retail into action

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Find out how you can elevate the shopping experience inside your brick-and-mortar store with fresh new ideas and perspectives that will help you build a loyal customer base and increase sales. 

Speaker: Holly Daniels Christensen, Dune Jewelry

Speaker: Steve Shultz, Flip Flop Shops

Speaker: Dave Foos, Clarkston Consulting

Session V: Creating Coastal Connections Continued

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand! The Creating Coastal Connections session was an attendee favorite at January's conference. Retail panelists and attendees will share ideas, best practices, challenges and opportunities in a lively discussion you won't want to miss. Come ready to participate!

Speaker: Pauline Bresnahan, Pauline's Gifts

Speaker: Anita Cereceda, The Islander

Speaker: Patrick Keiser, Heart on Main Street

Speaker: Elie Johnson, ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Speaker: Kathy Cruz, Savvy Shopkeeper

Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Starfish Awards Presentation

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Seaside Retailer honors past recipients of the Starfish Award

recognizing each winner for their contributions to charitable causes and conservation efforts in their communities and beyond. 

Session VI - IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE ONLINE

2:00- 3:15 p.m.

Get ready to jumpstart your social media mindset and learn how to create meaningful and profitable results! Don't miss this informative session that will cover easy to implement tips and strategies to see your social media soar to new heights.

Speaker: Crystal Vilkaitis, Crystal Media

afternoon Break

3:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Session VII: The Boardwalk Chat

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Get the inside track from top beach, coastal and nautical wholesalers about their latest product offerings, industry trends, buying advice and more during informal sit-down interviews with the vendors who are exhibiting at Coastal Connections Conference’s Boardwalk event. 

Speakers: The Boardwalk Vendors

It's Five O'clock somewhere party

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Unwind after a day of learning at the It’s Five O’clock Somewhere

party. Take this opportunity to continue making meaningful

connections with retailers and wholesalers while sharing ideas and experiences. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and live entertainment! 


tuesday, october 24

Breakfast

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Session VIII: visual merchandising tips and tricks

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Learn how to create a store layout that captures the coastal vibe while creating opportunities for increased sales. This how-to session will give you new inspiration and actionable takeaways to super-charge your displays!

Speaker: Michael Hale, RetailREHAB

Closing remarks

10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

the Boardwalk

10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Explore exciting new products and get to know some of the industry’s hottest brands in an exclusive buying experience with a fun and laid-back vibe. A perfect opportunity for building relationships with vendors and getting a head start on placing orders! 

STARFISH AWARD PRESENTATION

Seaside Retailer honors past recipients of the Starfish Award, recognizing each winner for their contributions to charitable causes and conservation efforts in their communities and beyond.

VIEW PAST WINNERS

I CAN'T CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND, BUT I CAN ADJUST MY SAILS TO ALWAYS REACH MY DEStINATION.


Jimmy Buffett

Copyright © 2023 coastal Connections Conference - All Rights Reserved.


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