The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC) will highlight new retail concepts for specialty leasing business at a two- day seminar to be held from November 12-13, 2006 at Sofitel City Centre Hotel, Dubai. Deborah S. Kravitz, a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres with 20 years of experience in the retail and shopping centre industry, will be a keynote speaker at the Specialty Leasing Training Seminar and will discuss the latest trends in the industry.
“Specialty leasing is today a multi-billion dollar industry for shopping centres. The amount of business generated by short term leasing businesses through compact carts, kiosks and retail units have turned everyone’s attention to the success of specialty leasing and new innovative concepts that can bring in more business, “ said Deborah S. Kravitz.
The seminar will discuss additional revenue enhancement concepts including vending, temporary -in -lines for those looking capitalize on seasonal sales and advertising and sponsorship opportunities and explore non- traditional ways of generating revenue.
“Specialty leasing has gained great importance over the years as it is a cost effective way to market products in high traffic areas of shopping centres. To ensure its success, it is important to have the right resources, products and displays and this seminar will touch upon all aspects of the business, “said Kim Redman, Regional Director for the MECSC.
Kravitz will also share her expertise in administering specialty leasing programmes with special reference to merchant manuals, staffing needs and forms for sales tracking and rent collection. She will also talk on the nuances of prospecting and marketing a leasing programme.
“This programme will be very useful for leasing specialists, mall owners and retailers. They will benefit from Kravitz hands on experience in various aspects of specialty leasing, “added Redman.
Kravitz’s two decades of experience in the retail and shopping centre industry includes positions as director of stores for ACA Joe, Inc., national merchandise coordinator for Bernard Chaus, and buyer for Bonwit Teller. She started a consulting business in 1994 in the US, working with developers opening or re-merchandising shopping centers, manufacturers with retail concepts, and retailers looking to enter the shopping center industry.
Kravitz has developed and implemented seminars in visual merchandising, training and development of specialty leasing personnel and retail operations. She is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and served for five years as a member of the Temporary Tenant Conference Committee, currently in emeritus status.
Kravitz is an honorary editor and contributing writer for the Specialty Retail Report, the publication for independent tenants and a columnist on specialty retail topics for Tactics, a magazine for shopping center marketing professionals.
For further information, please contact: Kate Mullen/Lisa George, ASDA’A Public Relations, Dubai, UAE, Tel: 9714 3344550, Fax: 971 4 3344556, Email:[email protected], www.asdaa.com
