Topps Industry Conference set for next week in Arizona

A top prospect and the reigning National League MVP will be there ... and dealers and distributors out there should be, too.

Topps' second Industry Conference is set for next week at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., and registrations ($250) are still available for the event beginning on Sunday.

Set in the heart of the Cactus League, this event will include several speakers during the three-day duration of this one with San Diego Padres prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. a signing guest for the opening reception Sunday and Christian Yelich to be on hand Monday night. There also will be gifts for each day of attendance.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the schedule as provided by Topps.

Sunday – (Feb. 24)
Check-in 4-6 p.m.
-- Tower Lobby, hotel check-in
-- Dove Conference Room, Topps Conference check-in

Welcome Reception 7-10 p.m.
at Dove Conference Room
-- Special Celebrity Guest: Fernando Tatis Jr.
He will be joining Topps for a meet-and-greet with an on-site and on-card autograph signing exclusive to the conference attendees

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Monday (Feb. 25)
Breakfast & check-in 7:30-8:30 a.m.
at Showroom Theater

Topps Welcome, 8:30-9 a.m.

Keynote Speaker 9-10:30 a.m. Jon Schallert (Destination Business) is an internationally-recognized speaker and business expert specializing in teaching business and communities how to turn themselves into consumer destinations.

Panel 1 - Selling Brand -- Physical Stores, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

MLB Presentation – 11:30-11:45 a.m. with Michael Posner, MLB Authentication Program Director

Lunch, 11:45-12:45 p.m.

WWE Presentation – 12:45-1 p.m. with Sylvia Lee – VP Operations, Global Consumer Products & NA Licensing at WWE

Panel 2 – Selling Brand: Out of Store – 1-2 p.m.

Snack Break – 2:-2:30 p.m.

Star Wars Presentation – 2:30-2:45 with Chris Gollaher – Senior Manager, Global Product Development at LucasFilm

Panel 3 – Selling Brand: Social & Digital – 2:45-4:15 p.m. with Meredith Kinsman, Octagon Vice President of Digital Strategy – From analytics to social influencers, content marketing and paid content, she leads digital strategy and creative initiatives for Octagon’s top brand clients and has extensive experience in social media, content, interactive experiences and experiential amplification.

Day 1 Closing Credits 4:15-4:30 p.m.

Monday Evening Event -- 6-9 p.m. (Top Golf - 9500 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale)
Special Celebrity Guest: Christian Yelich
The reigning National League MVP will join Topps in a meet-and-greet and an on-site and on-card autograph signing, exclusive to the conference attendees.

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Tuesday (Feb. 26)

Breakfast & check-in 7:30-8:30 a.m.
at Showroom Theater

Calendar release and product descriptions for Q3/Q4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Topps Marketing 9:30-10:45 a.m.

State of the Business 10:45-11:30 a.m. with David Leiner

Lunch, 11:30-12:30 p.m.

Mandatory Breakout Session 1: Trade Marketing/Topps Tool Kit – 12:30-1 p.m.

Then a choice of two breakout sessions -- 1-1:45 p.m and  1:45-2:30 p.m.

-- Breakout Session 2: Breaking traditional vs. non-traditional

-- Breakout Session 3: Social/digital

-- Breakout Session 4: Making your store a destination

Q&A and Closing Remarks 2:30-3 p.m.

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