NRF Annual 2009 Convention Blog

After speaking at last year’s Big Show, Tim Gunn (yes, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn) signed copies of his book, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style.  I’d heard that, despite his fame, he was a sincere and kind person.  I was not disappointed.  In spite of the fact that he was on his way to tape an appearance on one of the late night comedy shows, Tim stayed until every single person in line had a signed book in their hands.  And he didn’t just sign, smile and move on.  He talked to each person, asking them questions about… well it seemed like each interaction was on a new topic.   As I was managing the book signing, I had the opportunity to overhear many of the conversations (okay, I may have been covertly leaning in a little to better hear).

My favorite observed interaction was a conversation Tim had with an attendee that was also a student at FIT.  The attendee, obviously very excited to meet Tim,  had the courage to admit he was having trouble keeping a balance between what professors were demanding of him and maintaining his own sense of style.  I didn’t have a stopwatch with me, but I’m positive Tim spent 10-15 minutes advising and encouraging the young man.  I’m sure that attendee and every other attendee that got a book signed by Tim really felt like they had met, and been met by, him that day.

It is with that memory in my head that I look forward to this year’s series of book signings.  No TV stars this year, but some very brilliant minds will be sharing their thoughts (and signatures) with attendees.

Here’s a few speakers, sessions and books you won’t want to miss:

On Sunday, Best Buy’s Dan Moe will be speaking in the “Are You Truly a Customer-Centric Retailer?“ session.   His 2008 book, Retail: the Art and Science, puts his 20+ years of merchandising to the test.  This isn’t a book just for buyers.  As Dan explains in the book’s foreword, “The material is directed at the new merchant, the seasoned veteran (everyone can use a dose of the fundamentals), and those who simply wish to gain a basic understanding of the role of a buyer.”

NRF Members will have a chance to get two of my favorite things Monday at 12:15 – food and books.  The Members-Only Luncheon will feature Michael Gates Gill, author of How Starbucks Saved My Life.  I have too many jokes in my head about Starbucks saving my caffeine-craving life each morning to pick one.  And, since we are on the topic of my favorite things… Michael’s book will soon be a film, starring - here is the favorite thing - Tom Hanks.  Back to the lunch session - Michael will share exactly how, despite having a 28 year old boss, Starbucks saved his life.  He will be signing copies of his bestselling book after the lunch.  This is a book you’ll want to pick up for yourself, your coworkers, and maybe even your local Starbucks barista!

Monday afternoon you’ll get a two-for-one deal.  Neil Stern and Will Ander, coauthors of Greentailing and Other Revolutions in Retail: Hot Ideas That Are Grabbing Customers’ Attention and Raising Profits, will BOTH be bringing their expertise to the session and their signatures to any ready books.  Joined by Best Buy Properties and Office Depot, their session, “Greentailing in Tough Times: How Are Consumers Reacting and Retailers Responding“, will cover retail trends and consumer responses to being environmentally friendly in a not-so-friendly economic environment.

Once you get your book signed by Neil and Will, you’ll want to head over to the E Hall for “How Boomers Are Transforming Retailing (Again)“.  If any of your customers are boomers, don’t miss this session.  Matt Thornhill, coauthor of Boomer Consumer: Ten New Rules for Marketing to America’s Largest, Wealthiest and Most Influential Group, will share seven “New Realities for Retailers”.  Will the new definition of today’s Boomer Consumers surprise you?  It certainly got my attention.  Matt will be signing books outside of the Borders Bookstore and NRF Membership Center in the Crystal Palace – pick up some membership literature and business books before you head into the EXPO Hall Happy Hour.

For those of you fighting jetlag… do not let it keep you away Tuesday morning.  At 8:30 am, Robert Gordman will join a panel of speakers to discuss highlights from the Holiday 2008 National Shopping Behavior Study.  This Super Session, “Creating a Sweet Spot for Sustained Profitable Growth“, will also include some can’t miss case studies.  Bob will be signing both of his books - Secrets of the $uper $weet $pot: Building Sustained, Profitable Growth and The Must-Have Customer: 7 Steps to Winning the Customer You Haven’t Got.

All the books mentioned above will be available in the bookstore as well as at the book signings, so you can get books signed for you and your colleagues.  And, you can add all the above sessions to your itinerary here.

Out of purely selfish curiosity, what living author would YOU most like to meet?