Thursday, April 8, 2010

CTDA This Week

NOW AVAILABILE: Online Education Stone Course
CTDA and UofCTS are excited to announce the launch of the newest online course, Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone. The course offers a comprehensive look at the stone industry from ancient uses and geology to quarrying, fabrication, installation and advice on how to win over customers.

For more information, to register and to preview a video outlining the course click here or stop by the CTDA booth (3929) at Coverings.

IMPORTANT: Spring Committee Meetings & CTDA/TSP Reception
CTDA Committee meetings will be held Monday, April 26th at the Rosen Centre Hotel. To view the schedule click here, agendas coming soon.

Come to network with old friends, meet new ones, and kick off Total Solutions Plus! The Annual CTDA Members Reception has joined with NTCA and TCNA to celebrate the launch of Total Solutions Plus! The reception will be held in the Distributor's Pavilion (booth 3830) on Tuesday April 27th from 4:30-5:30pm. Registration forms will be available at the reception.

2010 Total Solutions Plus: SAVE THE DATE!
CTDA has teamed up with NTCA and TCNA to deliver a joint Conference in 2010. In addition to the things you have come to expect from CTDA meetings, Total Solutions Plus will integrate each association’s meetings, will provide several educational sessions and networking opportunities, and will feature Table Top Exhibits! The Conference will be held November 3-6, 2010 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, FL. Registration opens at Coverings!

CTDA April Webinar - Pricing in the New Economy
The next CTDA Webinar will be on "Pricing in the New Economy" by Al Bates, Profit Planning Group. The webinar will be held on Friday, April 23rd at 10am Central.

To register and learn more about the webinar click here.

Would you like to view a past webinar? Every CTDA webinar is recorded and saved into our Webinar Library. Members can purchase any recorded webinar for $50. The link is available indefinitely. So you can use the program today, next month, or next year! To view CTDA's past webinars click here.

Profit Development Quickies: Getting Everybody Pulling in the Same Direction by the Profit Planning Group
The PDQ Program (Profit Development Quickies) developed for CTDA is an effort to train your entire team on what is important and why. It consists of a series of short (ten to twelve minute) educational videos that allow you to conduct training using your firm’s own numbers.

The program is only available to those firms that take part in the PROFIT survey. The individual report that every PROFIT survey participant receives will have a link to an Excel file which will contain all of the details on the program. The PROFIT report is one of the most beneficial services that CTDA provides to its members. This is an expansion of that benefit. Plan on taking part in the PROFIT survey and helping to train your key staff members on what drives profit. For more information and to participate in the survey click here. Deadline for submission is April 30th.

TileDealer: From You to Your Customers
CTDA is happy to provide a FREE marketing opportunity to our members! Send CTDA a list of your customer email addresses whom you wish to receive TileDealer on your behalf. Your customer will receive an email stating, "This Issue of TileDealer is Courtesy Of YOUR COMPANY NAME.". Click here to download the correct format for submission.

Note: If you were previously taking advantage of this offer in 2009 you must resubmit your customer information being sure to include accurate email addresses.

Ceramic Consulting Corporation: Scott Alpert
Ceramic Consulting Corporation has announced the appointment of Scott Alpert as General Manager /New Business Development. According to Mario Klappholz, owner of CCC, "We are extremely fortunate to bring on one of the industry's most experienced and savvy ceramic tile veterans. What a great addition to our company!"

Scott Alpert brings three decades of tile experience to CCC. Starting out as a contractor then retailer and then, distributor, he became part of a team which evolved into one of the largest ceramic tile sales agencies in the entire nation for many years. His career includes long-term relationships with carpet mills, home centers, domestic manufacturers, buying groups, traditional ceramic distributors and full-service floor covering distributors. Additionally, Alpert has traveled throughout his career to roughly 50 countries, thus bringing relationships from a global perspective.

"We plan to keep on growing our business," concluded Klappholz. "And with Scott Alpert on board, we're on target with our plans."