CBA Industry Blog

Looking ahead to the International Christian Retail Show 2009

As we look ahead to the 60^th anniversary celebration International Christian Retail Show 2009 in Denver, Colorado, we are also looking back at the 2008 Show in Orlando. After each Show, we solicit feedback from everyone who either attended or exhibited at the Show, as well as those who did not, and comb through the results to make sure as we plan for the coming year we are meeting the expressed needs and desires of the industry.

As we reviewed this year’s surveys it was apparent that the majority of participants in the Show in all capacities are looking for a few key things: reasonable cost, a schedule that is easy to navigate, dedicated and focused exhibit floor time, and ample opportunity for the level of relationship-building and business that can only be done in person and in large scale at ICRS. At CBA, we do take the feedback we receive very seriously and we’re working on some pretty exciting adjustments and new elements for the 2009 Show to help meet these goals.

In the coming weeks and months, stay tuned as we begin to unveil what is in store for the International Christian Retail Show 2009 in Denver – things may look a bit different than you’re used to. We’re looking forward to it and hope that you are too! We greatly appreciate your partnership in serving Christ and our industry. If you have additional comments or questions, feel free to post them here or contact us at (800) 252-1950.

Free recordings from ICRS available

Just an FYI… the audio recordings from the Show have been posted on our Show website! The MP3s of Anne Graham Lotz, Chuck Colson, and Super Session are available for free download. The recordings and handouts from the workshop sessions are available for purchase on that site too.

We hope you enjoy these recordings as much as you did hearing them the first time at the Show. Let us know what you think or who you’d like to hear speak next year. Thanks!

Last minute thoughts before ICRS

Hi guys! Scott Graham here again. I’m leaving for Orlando this morning, but before I head out I wanted to remind you of a few things you should bring with you to the Show. In case you missed them in yesterday’s Industry Brief, here’s the list again. Hope you have safe travels down to Florida and we’ll see you next week!

• Your credit card processing statements. CBA Service Provider First National Merchant Solutions is offering you $500 cash if they can’t meet or beat your current credit card processing fees. Either way, you’ll save money or walk home with more of it in your pocket!
  
  
• Property and casualty insurance statements. Take a few minutes to sit down with CBA Service Provider Six & Geving Insurance. Their low rates are extremely competitive and we’re confident they can help you save money.

ICRS: The Inside Scoop on New Additions

Hi there – Scott Graham here. Sorry I haven’t been on the blog much lately, but seeing as the International Christian Retail Show falls under my jurisdiction, it’s been a little hectic around here to say the least. I just wanted to key you in to a few updates to the Show’s line up so you’ll well ahead of time how to plan your week.

• Did you know the entire New Product Gallery will be raffled off to one retail attendee at the Show? All retailers have to do is have their badges scanned earlier in the week by a CBA employee to be entered in the contest, and at 1:30pm on Thursday, July 17, one winner will receive all the products – more than 100 and counting! The winner must be present so don’t leave early!

Lead Like Jesus

One of the many things I appreciate about working at a place like CBA is the opportunity to attend events like the Lead Like Jesus conference I recently went to in Phoenix, AZ.The passion of Lead Like Jesus is to see people all over the world transformed by Christians leading like Jesus in the world around them. I’ve definitely been impacted by this conference over the past few weeks, I encourage you to check it out!

The conference was a much-needed reminder of the truths that I know I, and I’m guessing many others, tend to forget sometimes. The truth that God is sovereign, he is active, and he desires to be intimately involved in even my seemingly mundane daily struggles and successes…and that means in my work too.

I’ve been tasked with the not-so-small challenge of managing the International Christian Retail Show, and it’s my passion that this year’s Show will be right on target to help you grow your ministry and live out your passion for Christ through your business. More than anything, I want to see you succeed and this isn’t something I can accomplish on my own. I need the Lord’s guidance, I need the support of my awesome staff, and I need your help too!

I want to challenge you to think of how you are going to prepare to get the most you can out of this year’s International Christian Retail Show. You need to walk away from this year’s Show with some awesome takeaways, and in order to do that you need to be there with an open mind ready to listen and collaborate with your industry partners. Know that we’re here for you and because of you. Please feel free to contact me at the CBA offices or post comments here on the blog.

I look forward to seeing you in July!