Big changes are ahead for the bedding business. This year stands to be one of the most pivotal times the industry has seen.
We’re facing consolidation. Tempur Sealy International’s acquisition of Mattress Firm is set to close later this year, and additional mergers and acquisitions are in the wings. The industry’s third antidumping petition is well underway, and we’ve already seen shifts as companies move to set up production in the United States to avoid tariffs on sourced products. Artaban, Kuka, DeLandis Sleep and Magniflex have all established manufacturing in Texas for made in the U.S. platforms.
Add those seismic shifts to the consumer segment that seems to have ghosted the mattress business, and there’s one conclusion: This year has come in hot. There is a lot of external noise for sure, and retailers are on the hunt for ways to stay ahead of the fray and navigate a new business dynamic.
We’ve got you covered with a range of content designed to arm our audience with the tools, techniques and information needed to succeed and grow in these changing times.
The 19th annual Bedding Conference is coming up May 14-16, in Hilton Head, S.C., and we’ve put together a program designed to inspire and educate. Our agenda includes a range of topics, including dealing with ongoing consolidation, omnichannel marketing, employee recruiting and retention, cybersecurity and more.
Here are five top reasons the event is a can’t miss for your calendar:
1 Get motivated. Capt. Chris Cassidy, a decorated U.S. Navy Seal and NASA astronaut, kicks off the conference with tangible, actionable ideas on how to motivate teams in the most challenging of times. During his career, he’s seen a few of those, including leading a combat team in 2004 along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In addition to his combat roles, he has been part of three space flights and 10 space walks, and in 2015 was named NASA’s chief astronaut.
2 Retail coaching. We’ve lined up three experts in employee retention, accounting in challenging times and cybersecurity to offer roundtable coaching sessions for retail attendees. These experts are leaders in their fields and have specific knowledge in the retail sector to help executives button up their strategies in these important areas.
3 Sleep education. Take away an armful of information from our partners at the National Sleep Foundation. CEO John Lopos and Dr. Joe Dzierzewski, vice president of research and scientific affairs, will take share the latest research on sleep wellness, as well information on the economy of sleep, the product in which our industry thrives.
4 Networking and idea sharing. Our event wouldn’t be a Furniture Today conference without built-in time for networking, conversation and idea sharing. We pride ourselves on facilitating connections between various members of the industry, and the conference will deliver on that promise again this year.
5 Hilton Head in the spring. As a South Carolina resident, I can vouch for the fact that there’s no better time to be on Hilton Head than May. The Lowcountry weather is perfect for outdoor gathering, and we’re just ahead of the onslaught of no see ‘ums. It’s also a great time to view native creatures like alligators, dolphin and a wealth of shore birds that inhabit the island. Be mindful of the gators, view from afar and don’t harass them. They’re faster than you think, and May kicks off breeding season. If you dig fishing, as much as I do, May is a great time for catching black drum, redfish and speckled trout; further offshore you’ll likely find cobia, snapper and grouper. If you’re so inclined, plan an extra day.
More details are available online www.beddingconference.com and feel free to reach out for any questions you may have.
See you in Hilton Head!
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