Marketing Workshops for Local Businesses Set

Main Street Fairmont, Pierpont Community & Technical College of Fairmont State University's Small Business Development Center and Small Business Work Force are sponsoring top-quality marketing workshops for local retail businesses.

"We've managed to put together some of the best retail marketing training available anywhere in the state," said Vera Sansalone, Main Street Fairmont Director.

"Window Dressing for Success" will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8, and "Retail Promotions and Marketing" is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 15. Each class will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The cost for each workshop is $15. The presenter is Jerry Henderson of Henderson Consulting, a retail marketing expert. Henderson has developed many workshops to help businesses throughout the state.

In the "Window Dressing for Success" seminar, Henderson will cover design and layout of window space and sales exhibit areas. Promotional strategy and promotional campaign planning are the topics for the "Retail Promotions and Marketing" workshop.

"Fairmont has such a vibrant retail community," said Tim James, Pierpont C&TC Small Business Development Center Manager. "Making sure our local retail businesses have the expertise needed is imperative to business growth in the area. The workshops offer those important first steps that small businesses can use to get to the next level."

The Small Business Development Center is a division of the West Virginia Development Office and works with colleges, universities and other host institutions to provide free business consulting and technical assistance at 14 statewide locations. The SBDC is a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. The SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities. Workshops, seminars and conferences are held in disabled accessible locations. Arrangements for people with disabilities will be made if requested in advance.