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The Board Retailers Association Summit starts Wednesday in Huntington Beach. Here are details about the final lineup of speakers and events. 

Shop-eat-surf’s retail columnist Tommy Knapp, co-founder of Honolua and adjunct professor at USC, will give the keynote address Wednesday. You can click on the related links, below left, to read his columns in Executive Edition.

Board Retailers Association Prepares to Host Annual Retail Summit

BRA Releases Event Schedule and List of Speakers and Presentations

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (April 16, 2009) – The Board Retailers Association (BRA) will host the Retail Summit VI next week in Huntington Beach, April 22 – 24, 2009 at the Hilton Waterfront. The Retail Summit is a three day educational conference with seminars focused on topics ranging from credit and debt management to pricing and discounting, interactive workshops focused on opening a dialogue between retailers and manufacturers, and fun networking opportunities. This is the first time this event has ever been held in the continental United States.

The Retail Summit will kick off Wednesday, April 22nd with a keynote address by Tommy Knapp, former Founder of Honolua Surf Co. and former SIMA President, speaking to retailers on strategies for winning in tough times. Since he has been both a retailer and a manufacturer, and is now an Adjunt Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at USC, he can provide insight into everything from customer service to keeping the passion alive. Following Tommy, retailers will hear a presentation by Cary Allington of ActionWatch, State of the Skate Industry, a retail and manufacturer panel on pricing and discounting as well as a Skatetech Seminar by Professor Schmitt.

That afternoon retailers will be treated to a beach demo day where manufacturers and retailers alike take to the water for an afternoon surf session. Later that evening, Volcom is hosting a Welcome Dinner and Reception poolside.

On Thursday, April 23rd, retailers will begin the day with a presentation by Dina Cipollaro, from Fundamental Training Solutions. She is going to lead an executive coaching session focused on leadership training. She has spoken at a number of snow industry events and has a great reputation as an inspirational and motivational speaker. Also that day are presentations by Angelo Ponzi of Board-Trac, State of the Snow Industry by Ed Wray of SIA, State of the Surf Industry and a surf manufacturer panel. Both ASR and Surf Expo will be on hand to lead an interactive discussion and answer retail questions regarding the new tradeshow schedule and added show benefits. That afternoon Quiksilver and Roxy are sponsoring a retail shop tour.

Friday begins with a presentation by Charlie Cotton. Charlie is an energized speaker who will address merchandising and visual presentation. Following Charlie, Mike Duncan will speak on Twitter, Social Media, SEO and PPC. That afternoon retailers will benefit from a seminar on customer service and employee training, as well as an update from SurfAid, the specialty retail survey results and an ASEC sponsored panel on action sports industry growth amidst a volatile economic environment. That evening, retailers will attend the premiere of the film Waveriders as part of the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival Action Sports Film Series. Following the screening, retailers will be invited to attend the Action Sports post-party at the Sole Technology loft, hosted by Etnies, the NBFF and ChopShop.

BRA would like to thank all the manufacturers and vendors that have supported and sponsored the Retail Summit with a special thanks to our Headline Event Sponsors: Surf Expo, ASR, Quiksilver, Roxy, and Volcom.

Click here to access the Retail Summit VI Schedule.