Executives from Panini America and the Major League Baseball Players Association are among six industry leaders participating in the Tuesday featured panel discussion at the 2012 Industry Summit.

Tuesday’s key topic – “Maximizing New Release Opportunities’’ – will target opportunities for increased sales and marketing surrounding new trading cards releases, as well as the impact of missed delivery dates on all classes of trade.

The panel discussion will feature Martin Welling, Panini America’s VP/operations; Evan Kaplan, director of licensing and business development at MLBPA; Adam Martin, CEO, DA Card World; Larry Chrisco (Central Missouri Sports Cards), Lloyd Kee, VP, GTS Distribution; and Wayne Wagner (Wayne’s Sports Cards & Collectibles). The discussion will moderated by Daryl McKay (Sports Images).

“The excitement surrounding the recent release of 2012 Topps Baseball is an excellent example of our industry at its best,’’ Summit host Kevin Isaacson said. “Through increased communication and understanding the issues that impact all classes of trade, we can become more successful in leveraging our best sales driver – the debut of exciting new products from our card and collectible manufacturers.’’

The Summit panelists will explore remedies for the opportunity cost of missed release dates, including the prioritization of on-card autographs, enhanced communication and increased promotional support.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit the INDUSTRY SUMMIT information center at www.regonline.com/2012summit for a list of paid registrants, an updated schedule of events and more.



More INDUSTRY SUMMIT news:

SILENT AUCTION: Wayne Frazer of The IceBox (Barrie, Ontario) has always been a gracious donor to our Summit Silent Auction, and this year is no exception: Frazer’s contributions this year will include an autographed item from Hockey HOF Jean Beliveau. To contribute to the auction – which benefits scholarships for first-time retailer attendees – contact host Kevin Isaacson at kisaacson@charter.net or simply bring your item to the Summit registration desk at any time during our March 18-21 event.



INTERNATIONAL FLAIR: Kim Lyon from the UK’s Quantum Leap Group will be participating in this year’s Summit. Quantum Leap is a Cambridge-based online retailer that hoping to serve UK-based collectors of US professional sports products; Lyon’s primary goal for the Summit is meeting and learning from successful US hobby retailers. “Who best to learn from than the people who are successful in the US market,’’ Lyon said. “I look forward to saying hello to everyone in Vegas -- I'll be the one with the funny accent!’’



MEET THE INDUSTRY: This signature SUMMIT event, scheduled Tuesday afternoon, March 20, will include targeted 15-minute presentations from several industry leaders, including Beckett Media, CheckOutMyCards, Press Pass, Tristar, Cryptozoic Entertainment, Leaf Trading Cards, Heritage Auction, Benchwarmer, Framing Life, Collectors Proof, BCW and Historic Autograph Company.



GREAT AMERICAN is utilizing a “Win, Win, Everybody Wins’’ theme for this year’s Summit, and that includes retailers who visit the company’s booth during Home Base activities. Great American and its suppliers have prepared a great gift package for every retailer that includes a product-filled gift bag, featuring items from Konami, Pokemon, Press Pass, Tristar, Rittenhouse Archives, SAGE, Bandai, Max Protection and Cryptozoic.

ONYX AUTHENTICATED will debuts its first trading-card release at this year’s Summit. The 4-card set, featuring autographs from prospects Jameson Taillon, Edwards Salcedo and Gary Sanchez, will be provided to SUMMIT attendees who agree to purchase two or more cases of 2012 Preferred Players Collection (pre-order) or 2011 Preferred Players Collection 2nd Edition. Wholesale pricing for each product is $160 for a three-ball case. Onyx will also provide retailers with unique Onyx Authenticated T-shirts during the event.



NEW TRADING CARD STORES: This week’s Upper Deck blog echoed the Summit’s market-building mission by offering providing a primer on opening a new trading card/collectibles retail store. UD’s Chris Carlin interviewed several industry leaders – including Brad Krysko from CloutsNChara, Sean Bennett from Pittsburgh Sportscards and UD sales chief Mike Phillips – to gain their insight on launching a new retail business. In addition, the blog post includes images of the SUMMIT-exclusive autograph cards (Woods, Crosby, Donovan) that attendees will receive at the UD Diamond Dealer meeting. Visit the blog at: http://upperdeckblog.com/2012/03/how-to-open-a-trading-card-shop-from-a-shop-owner%E2%80%99s-perspective-%E2%80%93-part-1/



JOINING THE FUN: Here are just a few of the industry leaders who have completed their SUMMIT registration during the past week:

Canada retailers: Mauro Bongiovanni, Dean Draginda, Rami Jabbar; Doug Kerr; Steve Rosu; Joe Vinen
US retailers: Steve and Frances Chou; Beth and James Feagans; Matt Federgreen; Zach Grakal; Nathan Hill; Mike Schnoor; Chris Justice; Vera, Peter and Sharbel Maalouf; Joe Parenti; Tony Yamada.
Crystal Commerce: Anthony Gallela and Dan McCarty.
All Sports Marketing: Emily Hodgson
Topps: Brad Kinnas
Professional Sports Authenticator: Steve Sloan
Excell Marketing: Nate Whitmire


STILL TIME TO REGISTER: We are accepting late registrations – but space is VERY limited. If you are planning to join more than 350 industry professionals in Las Vegas March 18-21, please register ASAP today at www.regonline.com/2012summit