ComicsPRO, the new specialty market storefront retailer organization founded just a year ago (see 'A New Direct Market Comics Retailer Organization'), has announced a full slate of educational events for retailers attending Comic-Con International in
FRIDAY, JULY 21
8am - 10am
Diamond Retailer Breakfast (Hilton Hotel,
10:30am - 11:30am
Breathing New Life: Looking for new ideas and new products for your store? Brainstorm with hosts Nancy McCann of Comics Unlimited (
11:30am - 12:30pm
Screening the Spirit: Each year at Comic-Con, the Eisner Spirit of Comics Award is given to a deserving retailer. Before the award is announced tonight, join Eisner Retailer facilitator Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld,
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Break in the Retailer Lounge with board members of ComicsPRO, the retailer trade organization that is advocate for all specialty market storefront retailers. ROOM 21
1:15 pm - 2:30pm
Retailer Speed Dating: Each table in the retailer lounge will be devoted to a specific topic which may include: Store design/ display innovations, Advertising & Marketing, Customer service, Dealing with Book Market Distributors, Staffing issues & incentives, and others. Every 10 minutes, retailers will move to the next table. During the final 10 minutes, each table's anchor retailer will share some of the best ideas gleaned from this session of retailer 'speed dating.' Anchor retailers include
2:30 - 3pm
Break in the Retailer Lounge. ROOM 22
3pm - 4pm
Let Get Down to BUSINESS! All specialty market comic retailers, publishers, distributors and other suppliers are invited to this free-wheeling forum to talk about business issues facing everyone in the comics' biz. ROOM 22
4pm - 5:30pm
So You Want To Be a Comics Retailer? Always a popular event at Comic-Con because so many have dreams of owning their own comic book stores. You have questions -- our panel of experts has answers. Join host Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff (
SATURDAY, JULY 22
11am - noon
Eisner Retailer Videos: A Deeper Look: The Eisner Spirit of Comics Award recipient for 2006 was announced last night. Join award facilitator Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld) as Joe reviews the finalists' videos to promote a discussion of what all retailers can learn from them. To learn something new -- borrow from the best! ROOM 22
Noon - 1pm
CBIA Meet & Greet: With
1pm - 2pm
'I Owe How Much?!' Comic retailers know owning their own business is great! Until you realize how much you owe in taxes. Income tax, self-employment tax, payroll taxes, social security and Medicare taxes, where does it all end? Retailers, join Joe Davidson (Registered Tax Preparer) as we try to figure out how to lower your tax bill for the next year. Joe Davidson is a Registered Tax Preparer in the state of
ComicsPRO -- Your Retailer Trade Organization: All comic book retailers are welcome! If you are comic book retailer with a storefront, you need to join ComicsPRO, the only active trade organization specifically for comic book retailers. Join Amanda Fisher (Muse comics in