Message from the NARMS Board Chair

First I want to express my thanks to all NARMS board and committee members and staff for the rather intense week recently in Chicago when we dealt with some critical decisions for our association through the board meeting and a series of committee meetings. Humbly, it all took place during the hours/days of devastating news from our gulf state neighbors who will long be in recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Our breaks revealed continuing developing tragedy of unprecedented proportion.
Read more

A New Look

During the NARMS recent board and committee meetings in Chicago those in attendance made another milestone memory. You know, the type that prompts answers to questions like, “Where we you when President Kennedy was shot?” or “Where were you on 9-11?” Unfortunately, the far reaching consequences of the recent Hurricane Katrina across the Gulf States and the levee damage that submerged New Orleans will be with us all for a long time, if not forever.

Perhaps we’ve all visited those areas or at least know someone from the affected area. It was humbling to be alive and well in an age with technology literally at our Þngertips that allowed us to view the rapidly changing headlines and deteriorating situation on our laptop computers in the midst of our meeting; yet perhaps quickly realizing that we knew more of what was going on than the people in the scene as electricity and communications service links were silenced.
Read more

An Evolving Industry Deserves an Evolving Association

Though I have only been part of your community for nine months, I have noticed the ever-changing attitude of this industry. You best be nimble and on your toes if you are going to be successful in today’s retail service arena. And of course your association pledges to be responsive to its growing and varied membership while never forgetting that this organization only exists because of its dues paying members. NARMS is your source for information, education, networking and community in the retail service industry and we are very proud that 502 companies see value in what this association can provide at present and the potential for being even more responsive in the future.
Read more

Event Marketing Division

Your Event Marketing Committee recently convened on August 18, 2005 at the Westin Hotel-O’Hare for its Þrst meeting since the last NARMS annual conference. Along with the usual suspects, I would like to recognize Þve new committee members: Sadie McGoodwin, Judi Koch, Jeanne Scott, Judy Bell, and Denise Mackowiak. Dan Borschke, President/CEO, and Ken McKenzie, Vice President for the Retail Marketing Group, both with NARMS headquarters were also in attendance. The meeting primarily focused on: 1) working on ways to expand our market beyond the current mold, and 2) working through some operational issues that are already in motion.
Read more

Manufacturers’ Division

The Manufacturers’ Division Committee will be meeting in Las Vegas on October 4-5 to discuss progress in program of work and workshop sessions for NARMS 2006 Spring Conference. Discussions will also take place on retail organizations and approach to retail by manufacturers; such as how retail is set up, who retail reports to, retail structure, classes of trade called on, resources used, performance measures, etc.
Read more

IFBA Division

Ever since joining into NARMS, the IFBA division has focused on initiatives that give members exposure through an advertising campaign and establishment of a business conference prior to the FMI convention. The special insert placed in Supermarket News has served the group well as a statement of who IFBA members are and their role in the food industry with six more ads placed this year giving reinforcement to the “local ownership, local accountability, entrepreneurial passion” message.
Read more

Professional Installation Companies Division

I am freshly back from our Professional Installation Companies committee meeting in Chicago held on August 29th. NARMS President Dan Borschke, Ken McKenzie, our new Vice President and Paulette Blaskey, Director of Membership also attended our Committee Meeting. It was a pleasure having them all in attendance. Ken was given the opportunity to meet us all and see how and what PIC’s are all about. Ken has worked with another Association prior to NARMS and brings with him that working knowledge that surely will be helpful to us all. He is working on a new exciting look for our Retail Merchandiser that we all got to take a peek at.
Read more

Could GlobalShop Be For You?

Entering our second of a three year commitment to participate, NARMS is a co-sponsor of GlobalShop, the largest trade event for retailers.

Speaking to our overarching priority of expanding our market beyond the current status quo, our committee members committed to increasing the NARMS presence at GlobalShop 2006 (www.globalshop.org) to be held in Orlando from March 26-28. Last year, a small contingent led by Kit Moss, created quite a splash for event marketing services. This year, NARMS has negotiated additional space in a Retail Marketing Services Pavilion smack in the middle of the conference ßoor. Our intent is to be the buzz of the tradeshow ßoor by creating a lively virtual store in which all NARMS members have the chance to showcase their value to a wider marketplace–to new potential customers.
Read more

Merchandising Service Organizations Division

Where did the summer go? It seems like just a few weeks ago we all met in Tucson, and here we are, already in September. Wow, the time does ßy. I hope and trust you’ve all had a safe and prosperous summer, with some special time with family and friends.

I Þnd myself reßecting back on past summers and many events throughout my career in the industry that have been most enjoyable. Your MSO committee met recently in Chicago to continue the process towards Þnalizing the April 1-4, 2006 Amelia Island NARMS Spring Conference and the MSO track program elements. We hope you’ve already set aside those dates for another great time for fellowship and learning with your fellow NARMS members!
Read more