Conference Agenda
 At A Glance

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Conference Highlights
Keynote Speaker:  Nancy Kneisel
"Start Your Engines"
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The world is constantly changing. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned veteran in the resale business, you must continually change too. Successful business people understand this concept and act accordingly. After hearing Nancy's personal account of her 23 years in resale, including an intimate look at the good times and the not so great, you will be re-energized in your own personal championship run with your business. Nancy will inspire you to master the art of being profitable while never compromising your commitment to always do what is right... trusting that success will follow. Nancy Kneisel is the owner of Second Glance Women's Resale in Corvallis, Oregon. When she started her business in 1984, her husband was unemployed and they had two little girls, ages 3 and 5. Over the course of her career, she has done much more than build a successful small business. Just a few of her many contributions and accomplishments include being a NARTS speaker and advocate, teaching classes at Oregon State University, raising money for charities and 31 years of marriage to Gary. An active member of the Corvallis Independent Business Association, Nancy recognizes the value and heart that small businesses bring to an area. With a strong work ethic, a can-do attitude, and a fun-loving personality, Nancy has inspired new business owners for years. She is always willing to share her vast knowledge and help out those who are new to the business as well bounce ideas off seasoned veterans. Through her dedication to integrity within her business and her life, Nancy has enjoyed success in all aspects of her life.

Sunday Evening Dinner & Entertainment
The 21 Club at Union Station

We are taking the "Inside Track" to the Train Tracks at Indianapolis' Union Station—America's first Union Station which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.  It provides a glimpse of Romanesque revival architecture in a functioning train station right in the heart of downtown. Union Station creates a wonderful setting for our Roaring 20s themed evening of dinner, entertainment, dancing and Karaoke. With its distinctive arches and columns, soaring stained glass wagon wheel windows and vintage bar, the atmosphere is perfect! Enjoy a yummy buffet dinner with a menu reminiscent of dishes served in a speakeasy of the 20s. Cash bar available.  Be entertained as a DJ spins music from the 20s including the Swing and Charleston plus tunes from other eras to give your dancing shoes a workout. Warm-up your vocal cords and participate in Karaoke or... just enjoy listening to your friends.  During the evening we will offer horse-drawn carriage rides with a 20 minute tour of downtown Indy from Union Station to Monument Circle to those of you who may be interested. To add to an evening of fun, flapper, gangster/gangster moll or Gatsby costumes are optional. Click here for links to costume ideas.      This event IS INCLUDED in all conference registrations and full guest packages.

Pre Conference Events
Window Walk
Slip on those tennies, grab a notebook or clipboard, and let's go learn from the professionals!  We'll visit the Fashion Mall, connected to the hotel, and Kate Holmes will show you how to examine what the new-merchandise stores do, with an eye to adapting these ideas to your shop. We'll spend about 2 hours exploring how to make our shops look as good as the mall shops at a fraction of the cost. A Thursday-afternoon event worth arriving early for!

Window Walk Generously Sponsored by "Products for the Professional Resaler"

Meet & Mingle, An Icebreaker Reception
Come to Indy early and get acquainted at Meet & Mingle. Come as you are... casual and comfy. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends at this pre-conference social event.  Arrange to meet your message board buddies here. To add a little fun to the evening, please bring your store photo albums or scrapbooks. What better way to get to know another resaler than by seeing their store photos & memorabilia. Enjoy live music and refreshments. Cash bar available.

Meet & Mingle Generously Sponsored by The Horton Group "Insurance Specialists for the Resale Marketplace"

Optional Event
Resale Shop Bus Tour
Board a NARTS "Resale Express" bus and enjoy a day filled with learning and adventure visiting NARTS member shops in the Indy area. Along the way, you will be treated to a box lunch as you are transported in an air conditioned coach. This event is an opportunity to brainstorm with your peers and make new friends as you gather ideas to adapt and apply to your own shops. Tour the stores from entrance to exit, including back rooms... something we resalers are always curious about. As an added advantage, you have an opportunity to shop and pick up some fine buys for yourself and your stores.
Don't miss this VERY popular Conference event!

Saturday Evening
Free Time for YOU!
Indianapolis, known as The Circle City, has such an abundance of restaurants and attractions, you'll have fun deciding where to spend your evening.  The Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites is located in the prestigious Keystone at the Crossing area of the city—north of downtown. Keystone Crossing is the hub of great dining, clubs and nightspots surrounded by shopping at its finest. We have left Saturday evening as a block of free time so you can explore this wonderful city!

Venture downtown to City Centre Mall or one the many cultural attractions. Visit eclectic Broad Ripple Village where sidewalk dining at chic eateries is followed by dancing and music in this uptown district.

If you prefer to stay "close to home," the hotel has much to offer. Enjoy an evening networking with your peers in the lobby bar or one of the many restaurants which are walking distance to the hotel.  Gather as a group and take the skywalk, attached to the hotel, to the Fashion Mall which is filled with restaurants, a food court, over 100 upscale stores and entertainment.

This is a perfect opportunity for specialty groups: NFP, Children's, Furniture, etc. to gather for an evening of leisurely, yet informative networking—either at the hotel, or as you tour the city. Last year one of the NFP speakers made arrangements to have dinner with a few other NFP managers and - like a snowball rolling down a hill - word got out and it turned into a group of 30! They exchanged ideas, formed new friendships and said everyone left the restaurant feeling warm and fuzzy inside... and a good time was had by all.

Click on "Indy" below for more tourist information.