PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: Ed Menk, E. L. Menk Jewelers, Brainerd, MN
The MN/ND Jewelers would like to welcome all jewelers and members to the 2009 Annual Convention. The seminars provide information for both sales people and owner/managers, as we gear up for the Holiday season. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn from industry professionals, network with others and help support your association.

8:00 a.m.	Registration Open - Holiday Inn Bloomington 135-W
8:30 a.m.	Annual Meeting
9:00 a.m.	Open for Business Presented by William Daly, Federated Insurance Daly will be presenting "Open for Business"®, a new Internet-based disaster recovery and risk assessment tool. This program is available free to all MN/ND Jewelers Association members, compliments of Federated Insurance. This risk management tool is valued at $2,000/user, and was developed by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). A few of the major points to be covered will include disaster analysis and recovery planning, using easy-tounderstand instructions and a customized checklist. The property protection plan features tools that can be tailored to your business. It is truly your plan! You will not want to miss this opportunity to learn more about how to protect your business. We hope to see you at the presentation!
10:00 a.m.	Surviving a Tough market Presented by Barry Kirchoff, Small Business Development Center As Director of the Central MN Small Business Development Center, Kirchoff will use his 30 years of business background to help jewelers understand: Marketing trends How the recession is impacting retail What services are available to help businesses succeed As part of the statewide network, the Center is designed to link business with resources in financing, marketing and research, e-commerce and strategic planning. Kirchoff will present marketing trends that are affecting the industry, bring tips to help during these recessionary times, and introduce us to services available to all business owners. Lunch – Green Mill Pizza Buffet Announce Professional Design Contest Winners
1:00 p.m.	Harnessing the Power of Buzz Presented by Tara Tollefson, The Buzz Company Tollefson started The Buzz Company in 2005 where she currently serves as CEO and buzzmaker. She brings a keen eye for future marketing trends and has developed unique methodologies such as Buzzkeeper Boards and Undercover Buzz to capture and utilize customer feedback for business growth. Her areas of expertise include market research, survey development and analysis, strategic planning, customer relations, networking and word-of-mouth marketing strategy. This presentation will define the power of Buzz and why it is important to the success of your business. Tollefson will help define specific strategies that jewelers can take back to the store to start the Buzz about your company. If you want people to Buzz about your company, visit your store and increase your sales, you will want to "Bee" at this seminar.

DESIGN CONTEST:
The Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association is dedicated to advancing and promoting the business of our retail members. MN/ND Jewelers are proud to sponsor the 24th Annual Jewelry Design Contest, giving professional goldsmiths the opportunity to display their skills.

The deadline for submitting an entry for the 2009 Design Contest is October 16, 2009. Entry forms are available by clicking on the link in the left column.

Click here for Registration Brochure and Hotel Information.

Click here for Design Contest Entry Form

If you have any questions, please call us at 800-544-6416.