Zappos' Robert Richman Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2011 GHTA Conference

Press Release

The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the industry’s non-profit professional trade association, is pleased to announce that Robert Richman, product manager of Zappos Insights, the Zappos Family company dedicated to helping businesses develop their business cultures, will be its keynote speaker at the 2011 GHTA Conference. Richman, an entrepreneur and knowledgeable businessman, will show Conference attendees how to create a thriving work culture, across partners and across organizations.

“We are privileged to have Zappos speak at our annual conference,” says Diane Carnevale Jones, executive director. “Customers rave about Zappos’ superior customer service, and now we’ll gain a rare glimpse of this company culture from one of its executives.”

Through their focus on company culture, Zappos, an online shoe and apparel shop, has created a brand that American Express rated #1 in America for customer service. Internally, the company is ranked the 6th best place to work by Fortune Magazine. Richman will share work culture information that will put attendees’ businesses ahead of the game, by sharing advanced principles to help employees grow, inspire amazing service, and, ultimately, drive revenue.

“Zappos is one of the most enterprising and energetic companies in the world today,” says Beth Lang, chairman of the GHTA board. “Zappos’ dedicated approach to providing the absolute best customer service to their customers is what distinguishes them as a leader. Mr. Richman’s first-hand experience and insight into the importance of satisfying customers to cultivate customer loyalty will be an invaluable benefit to our members who attend this amazing event.”

Zappos will also be involved in the GHTA’s Give Back Program, sponsored by Mud Pie, which will take place on Thursday, November 17. Zappos employees will work alongside GHTA members who have decided to volunteer at Three Square, a non-profit organization that provides fresh and non-perishable food items to charitable organizations working to end hunger all over Southern Nevada. Zappos employees and GHTA members will then enjoy lunch together, while listening to Zappos’ PEACE team speak about the importance of incorporating philanthropic efforts into a company’s culture. Lunch will be followed by a private tour of Zappos, coordinated specifically for GHTA members. 100 volunteer spots are available for this project. Email info@giftandhome.org for more information and to sign up.

The 2011 GHTA Conference, which will be held at the Red Rock Casino and Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 17-19, invites sales representatives, manufacturers, retailers, and other industry resource suppliers to network and share best business practices, while learning from national keynote speakers and various breakout sessions. Conference agenda highlights are available online at http://giftandhome.org/2011GHTAAnnualConference.aspx#agenda.

For more information on the 9th Annual GHTA Conference please visit the GHTA website at http://giftandhome.org/2011GHTAAnnualConference.aspx, or contact the GHTA office via phone at (877) 600-4872 or via email at info@giftandhome.org.

About the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association:

GHTA is the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies, retailers and industry affiliates who are involved in an industry that is fast changing, with the expectation of making it better together. GHTA's mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA has four major initiatives: to educate sales professionals; to understand and educate the industry on opportunities for technological efficiencies; to support and cultivate the industry’s independent retailers; and to understand and educate the industry on showroom/trade show costs, statistics, schedules, opportunities and preferences. GHTA can be reached by email at info@giftandhome.org. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.