Education and Networking Abound at ISPA’s 2013 Industry Conference
Chris Schriever, BEDROOM magazine’s publisher, attended the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) Industry biennial Industry Conference in Orlando, Florida on March 6-7. The member-supported, sleep industry organization, which represents nearly 700 mattress manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, elected Ron Passalia, Restonic’s president and CEO, as the new board chair, held a day of education sessions and offered networking opportunities for mattress/bedding retailers and executives.
Featured speakers included Steve McKee, president of the marketing firm McKee, Wallwork and Cleveland, who delivered a lively presentation on “Marketing to the Rationally Irrational,” and Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., of Golden Gate University, who discussed strategies for marketing to Generation Y adults.
A mattress recycling legislation industry panel discussion covered the practical, efficient and industry-friendly initiatives ISPA is pursuing. Ryan Trainer, the association’s president lead the discussion moderated by Shelly Sullivan, Californians for Mattress Recycling. Rick Anderson, president of Tempur-pedic International shared his perspectives as a manufacturer operating zero waste facilities and Barrie Brown of Et oyeblikk: Retail Strategies provided examples of how he has guided retailers as they set out to develop mattress recycling programs. No doubt, this is one of the most important issues facing the bedding industry.
Attendees also enjoyed the Walt Disney World golf tournament, the ISPA Women’s Networking cocktail reception and an outdoor “Rock the Dock” reception on the grounds of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
As always, ISPA held a very successful and well-attended event.
More information on ISPA is available at www.sleepproducts.org.
About The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA): ISPA provides a wide range of legislative, informational, and educational services that benefit its entire membership. Many of these services are exclusive to ISPA members; others seek to increase awareness of the industry’s contribution to the health and quality of everyday life to targeted audiences, the media, and the general public.
The Industry Conference offers value to all sectors of the mattress industry including manufacturer, retailer, and supplier executives and management.