Phil Menedian, director of education for ORRA Programming will moderate a discussion of numerous pieces in “Knot to be Missed,” review current appraisal techniques in “Enhancing Your Rug Appraising,” and lead a tour of AmericasMart’s four-floor rug marketplace in “Walking the Marketplace.”

 

Rug buyers also have the opportunity to sit for the CRA Examination, moderated by Menendian and ORRA education committee members. The exam will be in two parts: written and identification. Examinees will be tested on historical and technical knowledge of hand-knotted rugs as well as proper identification of 35 Oriental rugs by sight, according to the association.

Buyers will benefit from specialized, retail-specific programming on topics such “Six Ways to Sell Gift Cards - Proven Strategies that Work” presented by the Georgia Retail Association and Florida Retail Federation, and “Retail by Design: A Blueprint to Store Event Success” and “Retail by Design: A Blueprint to Buying to Merchandise” presented by AmericasMart advisory board member Melissa Haberstroh, president of Burlap Horse LP. AmericasMart and burton+Burton will host a breakfast discussion about merchandising for a hospital gift shops at the “Breakfast with The Burtons” special event.

Haberstroh will also cater to the other side of the Market experience with a seminar geared toward exhibitors: “How to Think Like a Retailer – And Sell Them Better.”

Exhibitors and buyers alike will benefit from a series of four seminars by social media professional Tucker Berta. Berta will share tips for launching a social media campaign in her seminar “Your Social Debut: Introduction to the Basics of Social Media Marketing for Business.” She will coach more advanced users in “Stepping Up Social: Strategies for Social Media Marketing for Business.” Both seminars are offered twice during the Market.

For more information, visit americasmart.com.