Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall

Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while you catch up with old friends and make new connections at this fun-filled conference opener in the Exhibit Hall.

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Registration Open

Networking Breakfast and Exhibits

Start your day with breakfast and networking with industry colleagues. Browse the exhibit hall to see the latest products and services available to help you boost profits, enhance your products, and increase productivity.

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Opening Keynote Session

Blue Ocean - Navigating Your Way to Undiscovered Markets

Speaker:

Dr. Roch Parayre, Fellow, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, Wharton School Senior Partner, Decision Strategies International

How did Netflix successfully establish a whole new model for delivering movie rentals? How did Southwest Airlines open new markets by creating an entirely new type of flying experience? These companies and others achieved industry dominance using an approach called "Blue Ocean Strategy". The cornerstone of this approach is that lasting success comes not from battling competitors, but from uncovering "blue oceans”, the untapped innovative market spaces ready for growth.

Dr. Parayre, will discuss this concept, which has gained interest across corporate, government and nonprofit sectors and is now being taught at business schools worldwide. 

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Break and Exhibits

Business Session

Put Money in Your Pocket – Redesigning the Customer Experience

Speaker:

Mike Wittenstein

Businesses from hotels to car dealerships to hospitals have made dynamic changes to their customer experiences, with excellent bottom-line results to show for their efforts. Join customer experience authority Mike Wittenstein and find out how customer experience design applied to the mattress business can mean big gains for everyone—manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.

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Networking Lunch and Exhibits

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Business Session

The Power of Social and Digital Media

Hear about the importance of using social and digital media including the familiar methods such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate with the masses. During this entertaining and informative presentation you’ll find out how brands are also embracing video; how to make video work for your brand; and how video will communicate BSC/ISPA messages.

Break and Exhibits

Business Session

The Sustainable Mattress

Recycling continues to be an increasingly important issue for consumers, industry and government policy makers. Hear about ongoing used mattress recycling programs, new pilot programs, retailer involvement and other emerging trends in industry efforts to address mattress recycling issues.

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NEW!
ISPA Women’s Network Cocktail Reception

Calling all women in the mattress industry! Preceding the evening’s networking reception, enjoy a glass of wine and hors ‘doeuvres to celebrate the new ISPA Women’s Network, a volunteer networking and professional group established to serve the rapidly growing number of women, from all sectors of the industry.

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Networking Reception on the Lawn

After a busy day, join us for an interactive and entertaining reception outdoors on the expansive grounds of this majestic hotel! Enjoy lawn games while you relax and enjoy drinks and hors ‘doeuvres with colleagues, business partners and friends.

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Registration Open

Networking Breakfast and Exhibits

Business Session

What do the results of the mid-term elections mean for business?

New congress, new players, new rules

Speaker:

Edward D. Krenik, Senior Principal, Bracewell & Giuliani

Christopher Hudgins, VP, Government Relations and Policy, ISPA

Find out how the recent mid-term election shake-up in Washington will change the way you do business. Learn about the new players, find out about the direction Congress is likely to take on key issues, and how this will impact the mattress industry.

Named a top lobbyist by the hill newspaper, Edward Krenik, who was on the front lines of combating costly provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will give you an insider's point of view. ISPA'S Vice President of Government Relations and policy, Christopher Hudgins, will also discuss recent legislative and regulatory developments directly affecting the mattress industry.

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Business Session

Manufacturer-Retailer Panel: How Can We Work Better…Together?

Moderator:

Don Hofmann, Louisville Bedding

Panelists:

Mike Bookbinder, King Koil Licensing Company, Senior Vice President, Retail Development

Barrie Brown, et Oyeblikk: Retail Strategies, LLC , CEO

Mattresses Unlimited, Interim CEO

Karrie Forbes, Mattress Firm, Vice President, Marketing

Tim Oakhill, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Simmons Bedding Company

Manufacturers and retailers will participate in this candid, wide-ranging panel discussion designed to get to the heart of the longstanding communication problem between the two industry segments. Hear what these executives have to say about the issues, the obstacles and their perspectives on how retailers and manufacturers can establish more productive, collaborative partnerships to grow the mattress business for all.

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ISPA Annual Golf Tournament (includes lunch)

Hit the greens with fellow industry golfers on the private championship Vinoy Club course. This unique course will please your senses with its natural beauty while challenging your skills