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ComicsPro On Their Forthcoming Memphis Meeting (PR)
posted January 15, 2009
 

ComicsPRO, the Comics Professional Retail Organization, moves to Memphis TN for its third annual meeting at the Memphis Hilton March 19-21, 2009. The shift to Memphis makes the meeting more accessible to retailers and includes a packed schedule of events.

"This meeting is an absolute must for every professional comic specialty retailer," said ComicsPRO President Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA). "We're at a critical stage of the comics specialty sales channel in an uncertain economic climate while we're surrounded by competition all around us. Our Memphis meeting will key in on finding ways for specialty retailers to prosper in the months and years ahead and rise to challenges we all face."

Programming highlights include a full day of DC sponsored programming on March 19 and a tour of Diamond's new distribution facility in Olive Branch MS on March 21. In addition to DC Comics and Diamond Comic Distributors, event sponsors include Marvel Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Tales of Wonder Distribution.

Meeting Overview
Wednesday March 18 --- The meeting will unofficially open with an evening "Meet and Greet" at the Memphis Hilton for early-arriving attendees.

Thursday March 19 --- DC Comics sponsors a full day of programming, allowing attending retailers to interact with key DC executives from publishing, marketing, sales and editorial divisions. Outside DC's own RRP events, there is no better opportunity to hear about DC's upcoming plans and to provide feedback on past and future projects. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are hosted by DC Comics.

Friday March 20th --- Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley delivers the keynote address at a dinner sponsored by Marvel Comics.

Saturday March 21 --- Tour of Diamond's Olive Branch MS distribution facility with a catered dinner at the warehouse sponsored by Diamond Comic Distributors. This is a unique chance to visit the new warehouse and see how Diamond's inventory and shipping systems work together to process shipments to their retailer customers.

Friday and Saturday programming will also include demonstrations of POS systems and discussions of products and services with attending retailers. In addition, there will be meetings among the membership with discussions of association projects and priorities going forward, including the election of three open director positions for the ComicsPRO Board of Directors. Sponsors are donating materials for gift bags for attending retailers.

Chris Powell, ComicsPRO board member (Lone Star Comics, Dallas TX) added "Everything is being done to ensure that this meeting will be of great value to all who attend. Information will be shared, feedback will be listened to, and positive actions will be taken."

The special room rate for the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at the Memphis Hilton is $129 per night. This rate is good for reservations made through the end of January, while rooms are available. Make your reservations by visiting http://www.comicspro.org/meetingreservations. The Memphis Hilton address is 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38120.

Attendance fee for full ComicsPRO Members are $50 for the first attendee, with additional attendees at $100 each. Associate ComicsPRO Members are $100 for the first attendee with additional attendees at $125 each. Retailers who are not yet ComicsPRO members are admitted to the meeting for $199 each. Non-members are encouraged to join ComicsPRO to realize the member meeting discount prices.

Manufacturers, services vendors, publishers, and product distributors are encouraged to inquire about available sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact Chris Powell at [email protected] or Amanda Emmert at [email protected].