See also GAMA Show a Key Event and 'GAMA Final Exhibitor List'.
KEY: RET, DIST and MFR refer to the primary target audience for each seminar- Retailer, Distributor and Manufacturer. However, all events are open to all attendees. The room location is just before the event name. You really don't need that info until you get to the room. Some events, times and locations may change. The on-site program will give the final schedule.
Sunday, March 18
Registration will be setting up. From 6:00pm to 9:00pm we will be able to give out Pre-Registered badges, for your convenience. However, badge changes and new badges must await Monday morning.
Monday, March 19
8:00am - 6:00pm Registration Open
Noon-
A-F GAMA Lounge Open, through evening.
Noon-12:50 PM
B-E Basics of Game Retailing RET
How do you open a game store? What is involved? Learn the basics of what you need to know from experienced retailers that have already made all the mstakes for you. Tennant Tranchin.
C-D Point of Sale System/Store Software RET
Is a point of sale system right for you? Learn about the different systems available, their pros and cons, cost and what is involved in covering to POS. Also discussed are various types of software useful for your business. Linda Ross-Mansfield.
1:00-1:50 PM
B-E Human Resources RET
Hiring, managing and keeping employees. Familiarization with the laws covering and protecting employees. Getting the most for your payroll. Creating and using an employee handbook and policy guide. Jeff Abramson.
C-D Store Security RET
What is shrinkage? How do you prevent it? Where are you at risk? How do you better protect your business? Are security systems right for you? Brian Dalrymple.
HURRICANE Why Preorder? MFR, DIST, RET
A seminar that covers the reasons for preordering product - both the pros and cons of the system, and how to improve it to the benefit of all FOUR tiers - Manufacturer, Distributor, Retailer, Consumer. Mike Webb
2:00-2:50 PM
B-E Product Diversification RET
More lines of merchandise means more customers, right? Learn the ins and outs of diversifying your product mix. What might work and what might not? Will new lines bring in the customers you want? What are good ways to display a diverse product inventory? Tennant Tranchin and Jim Crocker.
C-D Retailer Sales Trends Roundtable RET
A roundtable discussion with a moderator. What is and is not selling? What are the current sales trends? Trade important sales information with other retailers. This is a good discussion for manufacturers and distributors to attend. D.P. 'Vern' Vernazzarro.
HURRICANE Money For Nothing and Your Ads for Free MFR
What? You don't have a big corporate budget for advertising? Doh! No problem, let Glenn and friends show you how to get Cadillac exposure on a Chevy budget. Glenn Goddard and friends.
3:00-3:50 PM
B-E Customer Service RET
How you and your staff take care of your customers can make all the difference in your business. Learn the key components of good customer service, avoiding the problem areas, evaluating your current level of customer service, and how to better train your staff. Linda Ross-Mansfield
C-D Retailer Business Issues Roundtable RET
A roundtable discussion with a moderator. What are the issues facing retailers currently? This discussion will cover any retail business- related issue of interest to those attending. D.P.'Vern' Vernazzarro.
HURRICANE Games in Education MFR
Teacher David Millians has been Chairman of GAMA's Games in Education Committee for nearly a decade. Here what's in store for the expanded brochures series, as well as plans for teacher participation at Origins?. This seminar runs again Monday evening at 8:00pm. David Millians.
4:00-4:50 PM
B-E Cash Flow RET
Where is your cash going? Are you making a profit? If so, how much? What can you do to better manage your cash? How much is tied up in inventory? How can inventory levels be better managed? Steve Nicewarner.
C-D Starting and Running a Game Company MFR
Traditional and alternative company formats, pitfalls, equipment, liability, physical location, division of jobs, copyrights, licenses, product line philosophy. Stephen Cole, Steve Jackson, Aldo Ghiozzi, Matt Forbeck, Paul Lidberg, Lisa Stevens.
5:00-6:30 PM
B-E Game Industry Forum Live RET, DIST, MFR
The Game Industry Forum is an online message board on Delphi, dedicated to better communications within the game industry. With over 700 game industry members, it is the premier method of day to day communications within the industry. Come join a live discussion of the issues of the day, moderated by the forum host, and meet all those forum members you only know by name so far. D.P.'Vern' Vernazzarro.
C-D Your Business and the Web RET
The web can be used as a tool to advertise your business, keep your customers informed, and even act as an extension of your business. How do you get started? What options are the best? Do you have to be a computer wizard to use the web for your business? John Kaufeld.
HURRICANE Anatomy of Shopping RET
Store layout and design based on consumer shopping habits. Seminar is based on the Paco Underhill bestseller Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping. Chris Watson.
6:30-8:00 PM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Dinner, Hosted by Wizards of the Coast
8:00-8:50 PM
C-D Games in Education MFR
Teacher David Millians has been Chairman of GAMA's Games in Education Committee for nearly a decade. Here what's in store for the expanded brochures series, as well as plans for teacher participation at Origins?. This seminar also runs earlier, Monday at 3:00pm. David Millians.
B-E Advanced Web Use for Your Business RET
How to make better use of the web for your business. Do you need a shopping cart system? Can your software do what you need it to do? What are your options? Intended for stores already using the web for their business. John Kaulfeld.
HURRICANE Importing & Exporting MFR
Includes printing, components and final products.
9:00-9:50 PM
B-E Increase Sales With Distributors Through Marketing MFR
A how-to discussion on the basics of product solicitation, getting in all the different distributors publications, how to fit your promotional programs to their systems, what you need to send to get them to look at your product, etc. Will coincide with the relaunch of the Wholesale Division publication, 'Selling your product through distribution: A Primer for New Manufacturers'. Faith Price, Mike Webb.
C-D Protecting Your Business RET
Are you properly insured? What types of insurance should you have? Are you aware of your level of liability regarding you business? Are you familiar with the laws governing your business? Learn how to protect your business from a variety of potential problems. Chris Watson.
HURRICANE Internet Privacy & Your Business MFR
Individual privacy on the Internet is a huge topic of interest to companies of all sizes, regardless of their core business. The Department of Commerce, in conjunction with its sub-agencies, has the responsibility regulating what companies do with personal data collected from and about citizens of the European Union. The US government calls these regulatory statements its 'Safe Harbor Policy'. This seminar gives an overview of the policy. Marcia Clark.
Tuesday, March 20
9:00-
A-F GAMA Lounge Open, through evening.
9:00-10:30 AM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Brunch- Punchline Live!
Krause Publications' annual event, wherein moderator Mike Stackpole presents a serious subject with humor. Panelists field questions from the audience, hoping to both answer and entertain. This year the panel is all distributors. The topic is improving communications and customer service. Mike Stackpole, with representatives of ACD, Alliance, Wargames West and Zocchi.
10:30-11:20 AM
C-D Marketing & Advertising Games 2 Hours, MFR
Having a great product is only the start. This seminar deals with many aspects of marketing and advertising. It will also hit on how to increase sales with your distributor through marketing. Stephen Cole, Aldo Ghiozzi, Paul Lidberg, Lisa Stevens, Ken Whitman.
ESPLANADE Annual Wizards of the Coast Retailer Sales Meeting RET
HURRICANE Annual Wizards of the Coast Distributor Meeting DIST
11:30-12:20 PM
C-D Marketing & Advertising Games (continued) MFR
ESPLANADE Annual WotC Retailer Sales Meeting continued RET
HURRICANE Annual WotC Distributor meeting continued. DIST
12:30-6:00 PM
EXHIBIT HALLS OPEN
6:30-8:00 PM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Dinner, Hosted by Alliance Distribution and Decipher Inc.
8:00-8:50 PM
B-E GAMA Retail Division Annual Business Meeting RET
This is the GAMA Retail Division's only business meeting of the year. Included are officer and committee reports, officer elections and handling of old and new business. Retail Division Board of Directors.
C-D Design Processes, Art Direction, Packaging MFR
Includes designing to cost and size; art acquisition processes; outside designers; contracts & lawyers; packaging no-nos and good ideas; and why include miniatures. Matt Forbeck, John Kovalic, Steve Peterson, Chris Wiese, Kaja Foglio.
HURRICANE Wholesaler Division Meeting DIST
This is the GAMA Wholesaler Division's only business meeting of the year. Included are officer and committee reports, officer elections and handling of old and new business. Mike Webb.
9:00-9:50 PM
B-E GAMA Retail Division Annual Business Meeting, continued RET
C-D Selling on the Internet MFR
How to develop loyalty through the internet. Bill Alderman, Gene Billingsley, Steve Jackson, Lisa Stevens.
ESPLANADE Game Demonstrations RET, DIST, MFR
Learn the Product & Have Fun! Lasts as long as people want.
10:00 PM
Marcelo's All-Night Poker Game
The Orlean's Poker Room will provide some GAMA-only tables, so we can take money from each other, not those poor oldtimers, er, sharks that haunt the tables. And you may not have to wait for a seat! Thanks to Marcelo Figueroa for arranging this.
Wednesday, March 21
9:00-
A-F GAMA Lounge Open, through evening.
9:00-10:30 AM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Brunch, Hosted by Cybergames.com
10:30-11:20 AM
B-E Retailer Internet Roundtable RET
A roundtable discussion with a moderator. Share your experiences with web-based commerce and promotion. What is working? Where is internet commerce going in the future? Rob Bowes.
C-D Retailers Ask the Manufacturers RET, MFR
A moderated panel discussion with a group of game manufacturers. How can manufacturers better support retailers? How can retailers better support manufacturers? Questions will come mainly from attending retailers. D.P.'Vern' Vernazzarro.
HURRICANE Game Production 2 Hours, MFR
Includes printing processes, finance & scheduling, jargon & costs, print quantities & inventory control, pricing versus costs, GAMA's new Print Quote Database and the single most important thing to know about printers (okay, there is more than one). Stephen Cole, John Niecikowski, Matt Forbeck, Lisa Stevens, Ken Whitman.
11:30-12:20 PM
B-E International Retailing RET
A moderated panel discussion with a group of retailers, distributors and manufacturers either based outside of the US or involved in sales outside the US. What unique problems are faced by businesses outside of the US? How can US businesses better support international retailers? Questions will come from attendees. All are encouraged to attend. Linda Ross-Mansfield.
C-D Retailers Ask the Distributors RET, DIST
A moderated panel discussion with a group of game distributors. How can distributors better support retailers? What are the problems facing distributors when it comes to retailer support? How are fill rates? Questions will come mainly from attending retailers. Dave Sincere.
HURRICANE Game Production continued MFR
12:30-6:00 PM
EXHIBIT HALLS OPEN
6:30-8:00 PM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Dinner, Hosted by Alderac Entertainment Group, Koplow Games, Rembrandt/UltraPro and Wizard Entertainment/Inquest Gamer
8:00-8:50 PM
B-E GAMA Retailer Division Roundtable RET
An open discussion of the activities of the GAMA Retailer Division. Help set the agenda for the next year of the GRD. D.P.'Vern' Vernazzarro.
C-D Non-Standard Distribution & Selling Outside the USA MFR
Gift trade, Book trade, etc., along with international routes.
HURRICANE Demographic Data RET
The more you know about your customers, the better to attract more, serve them better and keep them coming back again and again. Learn how to collect and use demographic data. Ali Summers.
9:00-9:50 PM
B-E Promotions & Support Programs MFR
The best game will sit in your warehouse unless you promote it well, and support your distributors & retailers. Here are some programs that work. Marcelo Figueroa.
C-D Story Hour RET, DIST, MFR
Many of today's retailers have not been in business very long. Some of them have not even been gaming very long. I would very much like to see the manufacturers put together a panel comprised of some of the longtime veterans of the industry that can tell tales of the early days of gaming. I for one would be there with a big bowl of popcorn, enjoying every minute of it.
ESPLANADE Game Demonstrations RET, DIST, MFR
Learn the Product & Have Fun! Lasts as long as people want.
Thursday, March 22
7:30-9:00 AM
A-F GAMA Board of Directors meeting
Open to all interested parties. This meeting follows a previously determined agenda, with perhaps a small amount of late-meeting time for new business.
9:00-
A-F GAMA Lounge Open, through 5:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 AM
ESPLANADE Buyers Only Brunch, Hosted by GameCodex.com
10:30-11:20 AM
B-E Moving Excess Stock RET
Having too much stock or stock that doesn't sell is a fact of life in business. Options include package deals, sales, inter-store stock swaps and online auctions. Chris Watson.
C-D Conventions & In-Store Demos MFR, RET
Why and how gamers come to conventions and how to make the best of it. How to run a game convention. Your presence at conventions, and how to do in-store and convention demos. Stephen Cole, Marcelo Figueroa, Bill Alderman, Gene Billingsley.
ESPLANADE GAMA Show 2001 Crosstalk RET, DIST, MFR
This is GAMA's forum to get your input on how to make next year's show better. Attend, make your comments and engage in any discussion. It will also be handy if your could write down your comments and give them to the Moderator. Mark Simmons.
11:30-12:20 PM
B-E Promoting Games RET
Intended for retailers, but everyone is invited to give ideas on what works. How do you promote your games in-store? How to do demos, successfully display and advertise games in your store. Brian Dalrymple.
C-D How the Three Tiers Work MFR
This panel will also touch on switching tiers- what it's like to go from retailing to wholesaling, to manufacturing, or vice versa. Bruce Neidlinger, Mark Simmons, Stephen Cole of Amarillo Design Bureau, Brad McWilliams, Brian Dalrymple
12:30-5:00 PM
EXHIBIT HALLS OPEN