2008 Companies in Focus Seminar

Thank you for your interest in
DSA's Companies in Focus Seminar.

Our 2008 Companies in Focus seminar has concluded -
we hope you were able to attend!

Please check on DSA's Calendar of Events for information regarding future seminars.

DSA’s Companies in Focus Seminar is the ideal meeting venue to get the inside scoop on what other leading direct selling companies are doing to forward their success — and how you can adapt those practices to help your company thrive! Grow your marketshare by learning how others do it this September in Dallas!

The agenda features company facility tours, educational sharing sessions with the company leadership and plenty of Q & A to get to the heart of what you want to know about what makes these companies succeed.

This is a great forum for company executives to network and discuss day-to-day operating challenges, while learning from host companies, speakers and panelists.

Sunday, September 21

6:00 p.m.Party Plan Council Meeting
(separate registration required)
You won’t want to miss this! DSA's Party Plan Council provides a regular opportunity for executives of hostess-driven party plan companies to share information and more fully utilize the many DSA services that are tailored to this unique segment of the direct selling distribution channel. The council provides networking, educational programs, specialized research, promotion of party plan direct selling and a pool of speakers.

Monday, September 22

8:00 a.m.Registration and Buffet Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Program Overview

Receive important tips and logistical information to help you get the most out of your seminar participation.

9:15 a.m. Welcome to Home & Garden Party

Founded in 1996 by Penny and Steve Carlile, Home & Garden Party is a party plan business selling exclusive pottery, framed art and other decorative accessories. Attendees will learn:

11:15 a.m. Transportation Departs for Premier Designs, Inc.

11:30 a.m. Welcome to Premier Designs, Inc.! How May We Serve You?

There is no doubt jewelry is one of our industry’s fastest-growing product lines. Premier Designs, Inc., has seen tremendous growth in its salesforce and retail sales over the last several years. During our visit to their state-of-the-art facility, we’ll learn:

11:45 a.m. Keynote Luncheon: Founders Address

Andy Horner was 60 years young when he and his wife, Joan, founded Premier Designs. “I spent years in the corporate world, driven by the bottom line,” Andy recounts. He’ll share how he used the lessons he learned at Johnson Wax, Xerox Corporation and Home Interiors & Gifts to start this direct selling giant that continues to increase sales and attract more independent sales people. You’ll learn:

1:00 p.m. Premier Designs, Inc., Company Presentations & Facility Tour

Tour the home of this growing industry leader. Experience first-hand their customer service, transportation, distribution and warehouse facilities. Company executives will be on-hand to share details, as you hear about the mechanisms they’ve adopted to deliver high-quality personal service in their day-to-day operations, incentive programs, technology and customer support. Information shared and areas toured will include:

4:00 p.m. Transportation Departs for the Omni Mandalay Hotel

4:30 p.m. Welcome to AdvoCare International, LP!

AdvoCare International, LP, was founded in 1993 on a mission to change people’s lives nutritionally and financially, and was so named to convey both advocacy and care for their distributors. We’ll hear from company leaders who will share in-depth information and lessons on topics including:

6:30 p.m. Networking Dinner

Break bread with your direct selling colleagues during this fun and tasty networking opportunity. We will provide a Tex-Mex buffet with food stations for every palate. Enjoy the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the day’s speakers and plan to mix, mingle and learn. Bon Appetit!

Tuesday, September 23

8:00 a.m.Buffet Breakfast

9:00 a.m. CEO Panel: Managing the Evolution of Your Business

Whether you are just starting out or trying to take your business to the next level, this CEO discussion is not to be missed. CEOs from companies in business less than a decade have teamed up with those from companies with three or more decades of longevity to share tried and true solutions to their biggest challenges. The panel will discuss issues such as:

10:15 a.m. Companies in the Spotlight!

We’ve assembled local companies to give presentations on their biggest business challenge and/or best lesson learned. Each company is preparing an in-depth presentation on a topic of critical importance to their company, and with which they have first-hand experience. These companies include:

1:00 p.m. Networking Luncheon
Company executives who were in the spotlight in our previous session will spearhead lunchtime discussions that correlate to various departments involved in day-to-day operations. Find your peers and join the fun!

2:30 p.m. CEO Roundtable
(separate registration required)
You asked for a program where you can learn from leaders in the direct selling community and share your ideas with your peers. We've delivered. Join us for the kick-off of the newly formed CEO Council on Tuesday, September 23 at 2:30 p.m. in Dallas. Meet with your fellow direct selling CEOs for this discussion exclusively for presidents and chief executives, or the senior staff they designate. This program for DSA members is designed to provide a venue for CEOs to meet and speak with each other regarding issues faced on a daily basis.

2:30 p.m. Hispanic Marketing Council Meeting
(separate registration required)
The Hispanic market is one of the fastest growing consumer segments in the United States, and it is critical that your company be able to effectively market to this important demographic. Whether you have a well-established base in this market or are looking for strategies and solutions that will maximize your success, information and networking are essential. This inaugural meeting of the Council will be a great opportunity to get involved on the ground floor and help you and your company target this dynamic population group through networking, educational programs, marketing opportunities and more.

Click Here for Hotel and Registration Information

• Aerus LLC
• AmeriPlan USA
• Mannatech, Inc.
• Sportron International, Inc.

• Insuring product sales keep pace with product distribution
• Building a proper corporate infrastructure that will support your growth
• Engaging your salesforce and keeping them interested
• Managing unexpected growth for a positive impact on your company

• Ron Armes (Moderator), Managing Partner, ReThink Partners
• Wayne Badovinus, President & CEO, Mannatech, Inc.
• Dennis Bloom, Chairman & CEO, AmeriPlan USA
• Keith Harding, President, Sportron International, Inc.
• Joe Urso, Chairman & CEO, Aerus LLC