2010 Spring Issues Forum

The Maine Grocers Association and the Maine Merchants Association are partnering on the 2010 Spring Issues Forum.

This event will bring together Maine's outstanding retailers and grocers to discuss the most relevant issues facing our member businesses and to provide workshops that help educate our members on the best practices in the industry.

Agenda

• 8:00 A.M. Registration & Refreshments
• 8:30 A.M. Environmental Leadership Program: MGA and the Maine DEP to launch this voluntary certification program. Learn how to cut operating costs while doing something good for the environment. Hear from the experts to learn about rebates, financial assistance, and sign up for technical assistance. Speakers: Roy Krout and Peter Cooke, Office of Innovation & Assistance, Maine DEP; Tim Clarke, Efficiency Maine, Herb Thomas, SBA and John Sheehan, USDA
• 9:00 A.M. Economic Outlook: 2010 and Beyond Speaker: Jim Breece, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, University of Maine System
• 10:00 A.M. Got Your Bags? Maine Campaign—Tell Your Story! Speakers: Curtis Picard, Maine Merchants Association, Shelley Doak, Maine Grocers Association and George MacDonald, State Planning Office
• 10:15 A.M. Break
• 10:30 A.M. Business Succession Planning. What to do when you are planning to sell your business, transfer to employees or otherwise change ownership. Speaker: Glen Cooper, Maine Business Brokers
• 11:15 A.M. Hot Topics—Round Table Discussion. Moderators: Curtis Picard, Shelley Doak and Jim McGregor
• Noon Luncheon Speakers. Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree and Minority Leader Senator Kevin Raye (invited)
• 1:15 P.M. Retail Crime Prevention. How to handle retail crime in your place of business. How to spot it, what the laws are and how to prevent future crime. Speaker: Walt Huffman, Marden’s
• 2:00 P.M. Social Media for Retail. How social media can help your business and how you can get started. Will cover Twitter, Facebook, blogs and more. Speakers: Curtis Picard, Maine Merchants Association and Anna Largay, Old Port Candy
• 3:00 P.M. Adjourn