Broken Frontier

Over 600 retailers converged on the Baltimore Convention Center for the 2009 Diamond/Alliance Retailer Summit, bringing together the specialty market’s leading retailers, vendors, creators and distributors for two days of workshops, seminars, and a lively Exhibit Hall. 

“This is my first Summit, and I like it,” said Douglas Spark of Lancaster, PA’s The Comic Store. “I enjoyed all the presentations I went to, and I picked up something helpful from all of them.”

An integral part of what makes the Summit an invaluable experience for attendees is the Better Retailing Workshops, and this year’s event featured over ten different programming tracks.
 
“I thought the [Crossing Over: Becoming a Comics & Games Shop] workshop was a really good mix of ideas and practical advice and tips,” said Ernie Pellitier of Friendly Neighborhood Comics in Bellingham, MA. “It was good to get other retailers’ opinions on what works in their stores and what they think might work well going forward.”

“I think the [Fixed Costs: Upgrading Your Merchandising Displays] was a great seminar,” said Lena Olsen of Little Shop of Comics & Cards in Scotch Plains, NJ. “It explained how you can better organize your store, keeping things neat and appealing for customers coming in. That was helpful.”

But it wasn’t just the Workshop attendees who benefited from the event – the panelists themselves found the experience both rewarding and enlightening.

“It’s always an honor to be asked to participate in a panel, and I always find that while, in theory, I’m at the front of the room, presenting about something that I still love, I find that I take back far more than all the presentations that I can possibly do.” said New England Comics’ Henry Scagnoli. “Interacting with such great retailers is an honor and something that I look forward to every year.”

“This was one of the most successful Summits I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of,” commented Roger Fletcher, Diamond Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Retailers packed the Baltimore Convention Center, and it said a lot about our industry and its future. From the smiles, laughter, and conversations, I’d say everyone had a great time and got the most out of the experience, and that’s what the Summits are all about.”

Diamond and Alliance would like to thank all of Summit Sponsors for their generation contribution to the event:
Gold Sponsors: Archaia Studios Press, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Radical Comics, Viz Media, Wizards of the Coast, Wizkids
Silver Sponsors: Diamond Select Toys, Konami Digital Entertainment, Upper Deck, Wells Expedition, Wizard Entertainment
Bronze Sponsors: Bandai America, Femme Fatales Comics, Game Station, Koplow Games , McFarlane Toys