With more than 150 manufacturers (including 31 first-time exhibitors) already signed up, this year's GAMA Trade Show, which will be held in Las Vegas at the Orleans from March 14-18, has a lot to offer any retailer who specializes in games, carries games, or who is thinking about carrying games.  In addition to the opportunity to talk one-on-one with all the top manufacturers of collectible card games (CCGs), collectible miniatures games (CMGs), role-playing games (RPGs) and board games, the GAMA lineup includes lots of seminars and discussions created specifically for retailers.  In fact this year GAMA is preparing three tiers of retailer presentations, 'Advanced' seminars designed for retailers with more than 3 years of experience, 'Introductory' sessions for retailers with fewer than three years on the job, and 'Staff' session designed for those valuable employees who spend almost all their time in the trenches dealing with the public.

Several of the key retailer sessions are scheduled twice so that retailers who can't be there for the entire show, or who have important appointments already scheduled, can attend.  Dave Wallace, renown for his 'Retailing 101' seminars, will provide his basic, but invaluable advice on the key elements, which will help any retailer turn a profit. Other Intro level sessions include 'Finance for Small Business' and 'Store Start-Up Checklist,' and 'Finding the Best Retail Location.'  Marsha Collier, author of Starting an E-Bay Business for Dummies, will lecture on 'Making E-Bay Work for You,' while Heather Barnhorst of Atactix will lead an Advanced Retailers' session on 'Selling to Women.'  Other 'Advanced Retailer' events include 'Maximizing Your Profit,' and 'Mixing It Up,' a guide to coming up with the best retail product mix of games, anime, action figures, collectibles, and supplies for your store.  Other sessions explore using press releases to gain maximum attention for your store, selling used games, 'Hyperworking Your Inventory,' creating 'Demos That Rock,' as well as 'Increasing Your Volunteer Pool' and working with both 'Schools and Home Schoolers.'  Staff-oriented sessions include 'Salesmanship,' and 'Who's Minding the Store.  Retailers who are interested in adding games to their product mix will enjoy the 'Integrating Games Into Your Card or Comic Store,' while all retailers can benefit from the frank exchange of ideas at 'Retailer Roundtable Discussions.'

A new feature this year is the GAMA Night Out, which allows GAMA attendees to sample the best of Las Vegas entertainment at reasonable prices and at times that won't conflict with the dinners and other special events at the show.  Tickets must be purchased in advance so retailers should check the GAMA Website for a list of the shows available and the prices.  GAMA will provide transportation from the Orleans to the events.