While retailers scramble to survive in this challenging economic environment, examination of best practices and new research is vital to finding smarter ways to do business. That exchange of ideas is the goal of two events to be hosted this week by the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School.
On March 31, the center will host 40 professionals from the retailing industry for the annual Sponsor Forum. Speakers for this half-day event include representatives from accounting firm BDO Seidman, LLP, and marketing consultants The Richards Group. Delegates from the center’s sponsoring companies will make up the audience for this event, which also involves breakout groups for discussion of current issues in retailing.
The following day, April 1, will be the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series event. This year, Sam K. Duncan, chairman and CEO of OfficeMax, will be recognized with the Visionary Merchant award. A lecture for an audience of students as well as retail professionals and community leaders will follow.
“While the center is best known for its educational programs for students, a key part of our mission is to serve the retailing industry with new knowledge and continuing executive education,” says center Director Cheryl Holland Bridges. “The forum provides a unique opportunity to gather our sponsor partners together, so they can learn from keynote presentations and network among each other. The executive presentations continue the following day with the M.B. Zale Lecture. Over 500 students and invited guests will hear Sam Duncan’s message on leadership and personal success. In today’s economy, we can all benefit from hearing fresh ideas for success in business and in life.”
The M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series is open to the public. The lecture begins at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 in Ray Auditorium of the Wehner Building.
About the Center for Retailing Studies
The Center for Retailing Studies (CRS) is committed to excellence in retail education, research, and service. The center’s programs prepare students for careers in retailing and provide retailers with outstanding graduates. The CRS was the first retailing center partnered with a business school and it remains the nation’s premier institution of retailing education. Housed in the Department of Marketing at Mays Business School, the center is privately funded by more than 35 sponsor companies from throughout the nation.
