/24-7PressRelease/ - SACRAMENTO, CA, February 01, 2007 - Dr. Rick Brinkman delivered the keynote address, "Love Thy Customer: Conscious Communication for Customer Service." Dr. Brinkman has been in "public practice" since 1980, touring nationally and abroad to share his human behavior insights via keynotes and trainings. He is the author of four McGraw Hill books, four audio and three video training programs. Dr. Brinkman's international bestseller, "Dealing with People You Can't Stand: How to Bring out the Best in People at Their Worst," has sold over one million copies and has been translated into seventeen languages. He has been a featured guest of CNN and is a frequent expert source for national and regional publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine and USA Today.
Joe Eleccion, Vice President and Retirement Plan Consultant for Merrill Lynch Small Business Retirement Group, provided the group with an overview of retirement planning options for the small business owner. Mr. Eleccion has over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, working for well-known financial leaders like Dean Witter, Kemper Securities, and Charles Schwab.
Jim Pelly, a former stand-up comedian and contributing writer for the original Saturday Night Live Show, was the closing speaker leading an interactive session on new ideas to implement in the store while using humor to become more creative, more productive, and less stressed. Mr. Pelley has kept attendees laughing for more than 20 years at over 1,600 top organizations in the U.S. and abroad. His session focused on new revenue generating processes that enable grocers to build bigger cash flows by creatively restructuring or developing simple new systems.
CIGA Executive Director Sharon Paxton credited the organization's Associate Members for the impressive line-up of conference speakers. "We are grateful to our vendor/partners for sponsoring this year's educational conference. Without their participation and dedication to the independent grocery industry, this important event would not be possible." Conference sponsors included Anheuser Busch, Inc.; C & S Wholesale Grocers; Clover Stornetta Farms; Unified Western Grocers; Gallo Wines; Classic Wines of California; and Moresco Distributing.;
Headquartered in Sacramento, California, CIGA has continued to represent the Independent Retail Food Industry since the late 1800's. Today, more than 800 independent grocers and supplier companies make up its membership. CIGA's vision is to be the best possible association by promoting, supporting, educating, protecting and fulfilling the needs of the independent grocer.
For more information, call Sharon Paxton at (916) 929-9741.
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