Education sessions, also known as breakout sessions, are shorter, smaller meetings divided by topic where attendees can engage with each other outside of the larger conference audience. Here are 3 reasons why you should make sure to sign up for education sessions at any event you attend:
1. Expert Knowledge
Education sessions give you the opportunity to gain expert knowledge from people in your industry in a smaller setting. It’s a great time to ask your burning questions and engage with them 1:1.
2. Customize your conference experience
Education sessions allow you to customize your conference experience based on what you feel is most relevant to you! Take this opportunity to hone in on any skills you want to sharpen or challenges you want to address at your store.
3. Opportunities for peer connection
INFRA is all about independent retailers coming together to share in their successes and challenges – take advantage of it! Education sessions are a time to get away from the crowds and form interpersonal relationships. The best advice comes from the people that get it.
How Can I Make the Most of Education Sessions?
1. Think about what you want to get out of it ahead of time
Maybe you signed up for an education session because you want to improve your leadership skills, retain staff, or learn more about category management. Whatever the reason, taking some time to reflect on what you hope to gain from the session will prep you for more active listening.
2. Be ready to take notes
It’s easy to want to sit back and tune out during a breakout session, conferences are tiring after all! However, taking detailed notes will help you bring your newfound knowledge back to your store. If notetaking isn’t your style, consider asking the presenter for their slide deck after the session.
3. Bring your business cards
You never know when you might need to swap information, whether it’s with the presenter or another attendee. Bringing business cards along with you is a quick way to exchange information and get partnerships going.
INFRA Annual Conference Education Sessions
Ready to plan out your time at the INFRA Annual Conference? You can now view the full conference schedule for full session descriptions, dates and times, and more! If you haven't registered yet, register here. Below, you'll find a selection of just a few education sessions you can get excited for at the 2024 INFRA Annual Conference:
The AI Revolution in Retail: 15 Ways Retailers can Unleash the Power of ChatGPT and AI
Speaker: Dale Carlson (INFRA)
Join us for an enlightening breakout session as we explore the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and retail. In this session, we'll uncover 15 ways to leverage the capabilities of ChatGPT and other AI technologies to transform the retail landscape. From enhancing customer engagement and personalization to optimizing operations, we'll explore a diverse range of strategies that harness the potential of AI to drive innovation and efficiency in retail grocery. This session is a must-attend for retailers seeking to stay ahead and AI enthusiasts eager to grasp the tangible impact of AI tools like ChatGPT in shaping the future of retail.
Foundational Systems for Food Service
Speaker: Dana Tomlin (Columinate)
Connect with Dana Tomlin, a pro at untangling prepared foods chaos, to set up essential systems for your department, no matter how big or small. Get hands-on tools like planograms and checklists for smoother operations and clearer accountability. We will also dive into why nailing down recipe costs is so crucial for your success and easy ways to achieve that in a busy work environment. Join this session and get your prepared foods department on track for success!
Better ‘Best Practices’: Building a Modern Day Coaching Culture
Trina Olson (Trina Olson LLC & Team Dynamics)
For those who work in people centered industries, it is imperative that we build out a whole suite of coaching tools. Far too many people have been conditioned to believe that our personality and/or work style boxes us into a corner with only one way to lead - not true! Having worked with over 200 organizations across 18 industries, Trina Olson will share some emerging and 'best’ practices. In this session we'll cover key frameworks and approaches designed to both deepen and expand your effectiveness as a leader and coach. See you there!
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