2022 SESSIONS

Soleil Pool Deck at Paris Hotel! Join us for food, fun and cocktails poolside. Meet up with your industry peers, enjoy a memorable evening, and help kick-off the VDTA-SDTA trade show week in style! Fun food stations, a DJ spinning tunes, even a photo booth to capture you and your friends for the 2022 show! With some surprises in store too. This will definitely be a night to remember, under the lights of the Eiffel Tower. Note: You MUST have your badge to enter this event, as well as have registered for the Industry Party on the registration site.

This class will include an unveiling of our newest and most PROFITABLE QS Product! With Judy Fredenburgh, Alex Anderson, Kay Brooks and Jennifer Gigas

Join Trevor as he takes you through all the new features for Embellish Maker. Note: this class is open to Embellish dealers only.

Do you ever feel like your business has taken over your life? Maybe you thought owning a store would give you more freedom and instead you feel trapped? If you answered "yes!" then this seminar is for you! It focuses on helping you create the structure you need to give you the freedom you deserve. In this program, you will learn proven strategies and tactics to take back your life. You CAN get off the hamster wheel IF you know how.

How to run Facebook ads for your retail store

Hear what the VDTA-SDTA is up to, supporting ALL members! A recap of the past two years, and looking to the future. Members and awards recognized.

We have BC and AC. Before Coronavirus (BC) the game was to get people into your store. After Coronavirus (AC) it's about offering as many ways for customers to experience your brand as possible. This lively, thought-provoking session will send you back to your store armed and excited to implement strategies that will take your marketing and sales to the next level!

Most serger owners made the purchase because of the benefits of speeding up their garment sewing, while also finishing the seam allowances with a professional look. Oh but there's "sew much more!" With a few machine adjustments, as well as the use of various threads, can combine to create unique and often one of a kind looks that not only trim off a garment but can embellish them as well.

Sergers have come a long way, baby! In addition to making garments with their clean finished seams, sergers can be your customers favorite embellishment machine. Author of “Power Serge”, Pam Damour will show you how to demo your sergers creating great finishes and using add-on accessory feet.

Foundational shifts have incurred in most industries in the last few years. Hear from the Central Vacuum industry’s top OEM’s, Suppliers, Installers, and Distributors. This fast-paced format will provide you with an open honest discussion from about 10 of the top CVAC leaders in our industry. No other forum will provide you with this qualified perspective. Mark your schedule for this do-not-miss opportunity.
Presenters:
HP Vacuflo--Greg Calderon, Trovac--TBD, MD Manufacturing--Grant Olewiler, Lindsay--Winston Lindsay, Plastiflex--Mark Monper, Ametek--TBD, Canplas--Bill Lamonica, Desco--Ray Lynch, Coltrins--TBD, Indiana Vac--Evan Strittmatter, Central Vacuum Experts--Tom Proctor

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Everyone wants to make more money with less effort … Don’t you? After over 40 years in the business and running as many as seven stores at once the secrets will be revealed again on how you can put a system in place that will enable even the novice on your staff to get the most money for a service and lead to more machine sales from your repairs.

Learn how to fill up classes and events and sell machines by taking advantage of all that social media has to offer. Learn how to create and manage effective Facebook and Instagram ads, post on social media and engage with your followers in a way that grows your business.

This is your customers path to a sophisticated, timeless, easy to sew, and perfectly fitted wardrobe! YES, I can fit them through Zoom. The 6 class series you present to them will be the BEST item you give them. Not only will they learn in a group but will have an opportunity to work with me one on one.

Large online retailers continue to steal market share, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a highly competitive website and sew & vac business. In this eye-opening session, we’ll reveal what several retailers are doing with their websites to not just hold their ground but also grow their in-store and online businesses in an Amazon world. Walk away with clear steps you can take to step up your website game in this hyper-competitive and always-changing retail environment.

No one likes old stock in their store. Learn how to demonstrate a variety of notions to help boost your store’s bottom line. See some of the latest new sewing notions and learn how to sell them. Pam will share her proven techniques in creating a “feeding Frenzy” in your store, to help turn your inventory and keep you store looking fresh.

Submit your question ahead of time to have it discussed among your peers. As a follow-up to the “State of the CVAC Industry Panel” this hour will be devoted to discussion on the key elements that make your company survive or thrive. Product discussions, marketing perspectives, employee retention, tooling selection, supply-chain issues………. the range of questions are endless. Submit your questions to grant@builtinvacuum.com.

Taking an in-depth look on how to make money selling service and still selling lots of vacuums! We cover Selling, using a POS system, marketing, and formats that make lots of money servicing and selling vacuums!

Many machines are sold by looking at the pictures on the carton these days. So, what makes your machine stand out from the crowd? A short, visually impressive demo will instill confidence not only in the machine, but your ability to support your customer down the road. There's no need to be a sewing expert; you will see a few simple examples of technique, like sewing jeans or repairing a tear, that will get the job done. Doing a couple of things well will pay off at the register!

If you are just starting in central vacs or adding it to your line-up, this seminar will jump start your business with clear terminology definitions, marketing concepts, basics of sales and pricing, simple installation techniques, and key service tricks. The course is designed to equip anyone unfamiliar with the industry with enough information to confidently begin offering central vacuums to their clients.

Central vac dealers who have adapted to offering retractable hoses benefit with improved profits and high customer satisfaction. Where is the industry heading and are you taking advantage of all the products available for your customers? This seminar will explore the history and future of retractable hose systems. Including attracting new customers and how to tap into your existing customer base who may have missed out on the retractable revolution with hybrid hose systems. With Greg Calderone and Chris Slackford of H-P Products.

When your customer purchases her sewing machine, how do you keep her coming back? Learn from the “Queen of Feet”, Pam Damour how to create add-on purchases of feet and other notions to keep you customers coming back.

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Come join Alex Anderson, Kay Brooks, and Judy Fredenburgh and our new Quilters Select Brand Manager, Jennifer Gigas for this "Catching UP with What's New for QS" in this informal product discussion.

Join Trevor to see all the updates to FTC-U. Note: This class is only open to Floriani Dealers.

New customers are the lifeblood of any retail business. But as online brands get more and more sophisticated, getting new customers gets harder and harder--and more expensive--UNLESS you know what to do. In this fun, engaging program you will learn a simple, inexpensive, incredibly effective way to get customers in your store for almost nothing.

If you are ready to start having FUN AGAIN, (with in-store Hands-On Classes), you MUST consider this newly designed Dealer Program created exclusively for Independent Retailers. With Paula Bramwell and special guest Debbie Homer!

By invitation only to VDTA-SDTA Associate Members. Meet with the Executive team at VDTA-SDTA, discuss the future of the industry, and a renewed direction for this much needed Association.

Have you ever wondered how some teachers in your dealership end up selling machines, products, more classes and good will? Have you ever wanted to know specific teaching techniques and ideas which make people feel like they have been adopted into your “dealership family?” Martha will share specific ideas for teaching that work and share some that don’t seem to work so well. She wants every teacher in your dealership to have students that feel like “ROCKSTARS.” Also learn Martha’s famous “Permission to Purchase” story!! Martha Pullen loves to sell sewing machines and classes are a wonderful way to either sell machines or NOT sell machines. It is not magic. These teaching techniques can be learned by all of your teachers.

The one consistent thing about our Industry is Change! There have been many changes in the last 50 years, but never has it changed so much and so fast as in the last two years. Dealers who have adapted to this change have enjoyed the best two years in their history, while others have not. In this Seminar/Program I will share some ideas that will hopefully help YOU turn Industry changes into success stories!

Session will cover the who, what, where, why and how to leverage Profit First as a DIY Cash Management System, for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Sponsored by VDTA-SDTA!

Hide-A-Hose president, Rod Drivstuen, will lead an open discussion on how to grow your business with the Hide-A-Hose Retractable Hose system. Rod will cover installation, marketing, and pricing strategies. Hear valuable input from experienced Hide-A-Hose dealers as well.

What really makes them buy? In this class you will learn why you are leaving money on the table and how to get it! There are many aspects to selling besides product knowledge that we all tend to miss. Howard will probe the importance of building rapport, asking the right questions and digging deeper so you can see results as soon as you get home.

Martha Pullen and Jim Suzio will present a hanger fashion show for you sharing their favorite antique clothes and reproductions. Bringing designs seen through history these two are excited to show off their skills. They will share how recreating these gorgeous clothes will bring in business to your dealership; heirloom sewing enthusiasts use many machine embroidery designs. Let’s sell sewing machines and sergers by copying gorgeous things from the past. Martha and Jim will pass these clothes around so you can see the details up close. Let’s “copy cat” and make the cash register sing!!

Join RNK Software Manager Trevor Conquergood as he shows the WOW features that will help you SELL RNK Software.

Did you know that your VDTA-SDTA Membership comes with Benefits? Come learn more about SewVacology.com, LIG Solutions, Start Hearing, Perks at Work, Synchrony, Heartland and more. Get an overview of all your VDTA-SDTA Membership benefits. If you have any specific questions you would like answered during this meeting, please email them to heather@vdta.com.

The pandemic has accelerated change in retail, but particularly for small to mid-sized independent retailers. Expectations are up, loyalty is down. Pre-pandemic, in-store traffic was your main source of sales. Now, your customers expect many (omni) ways to shop, interact, and buy from you. This talk is an exploration of this new, exciting future and what you must do to profit from it.

If you are ready to start having FUN AGAIN, (with in-store Hands-On Classes), you MUST consider this newly designed Dealer Program created exclusively for Independent Retailers. With Paula Bramwell and special guest Debbie Homer!

From sewing through the cardboard box, to cat cages, to ironing board conventions, Spanks are awful, learning early in my career (from a famous shop in Birmingham) how not to sell anything, my hospital experience in Long Island, using correct wording in Australia, Cullman jail, teaching smocking to Mitchico from Japan, Nannie’s favorite sewing story—unusual material in the depression, “sportsy coat,” Campbell’s christening dress, and “I don’t believe in stress and more.” Teaching sewing since 1981, Martha has learned many many lessons!!! Lots of funny stories give great business lessons in 40 years!! Let's have some fun!

Join Trevor as he shows the WOW features that will help you Sell FTC-U. Open to Floriani Dealers only.

Discover the latest web strategies employed by successful sew & vac stores. We’ve analyzed buying behavior through and after the pandemic and we’ll share helpful insights gathered from the data. You’ll learn new tactics you can start using right away to engage more buyers and grow your sales.

Workshop will guide attendees on how to use advanced Profit First strategies, as well as how to use Profit First to reverse engineer their business with DIY Profit First Financial Modeling to develop a sales plan that ties back to their targeted Owner’s Pay salary.

Join Sewing Industry partner Sebastian Rivera of Famore Cutlery and 25 year cosplay community and event veteran Diana Tolin of Ultimate Cosplay Championship as they help break down perceived barriers of merging the sewing industry and cosplay community. This in depth presentation and Q & A will help explain how to find the ROI for your brand, company, or shop both in person and online.

You've often marveled at the look of fine linens in museums, in movies or magazines, and wanted to recreate the same, but haven't tried. Feeling limited on your skill, or the availability of products to use. See how using various layering techniques combined with machine stitches can simulate the look of classic heirloom techniques while making it affordable and easy to do. From beginners to advanced sewers, you're only limited by your imagination and the stitches on your machine!

We've seen them on the runway at awards shows, on film and television, those gorgeous gowns of celebrities and stars. Those outfits, frozen in time connected with a film, a celebrity, yet timeless in design, who's cost is often out of reach. Discover some insider details on how-to easily duplicate the same look without the huge expense (like how a simple .99c pattern was used to recreate a $4K designer original). A motivational lecture to get you fashion sewing again!

Chris Blakeman leads the Floorcare panel again this year as Moderator. With 3 heavy hitters in the floor care industry as his in-the-know panelists. Topics include merchandising and store branding, the Clean store merchandising model, store experience, and digital marketing for Vac retailers.
Presenters:
Hope Winfield - A-1 Vacuum
Christopher Nash - Vacuums, Etc.
Cory Hankins - The House of Vacuums

Session will cover the who, what, where, why and how to leverage Profit First as a DIY Cash Management System, for entrepreneurs and small business owners.