GHTA Action Groups

GHTA Action Groups work to address some of the industry's most current and critical issues.  They consist of volunteers who are passionate about each cause.  GHTA member sare encourage to become active in its action groups.  To learn more about becoming involved email info@ghta.net.

Data Collection

The Data Collection Action Group aims to generate new industry data or mine existing data to the overall benefit of the GHTA membership and industry at large. The group operates under the assumption industry data is either non-existent or, at best, significantly underdeveloped. The group believes better data can improve each member's business as well as the overall industry.  Currently, the Data Action Group publishes a regular roundup of important news to the industry and greater retail environment, which is called GHTA e-Clips.  This service is only available to current GHTA members.

Education

The Education Action Group works to standardize industry sales training and education for sales people, sales agencies and vendors alike.  The group regularly hosts its popular two-day sales training seminars, Selling in the Gift and Home Industry, at market centers across the country.  For a complete schedule of seminars or to sign up, click here.

Industry Branding

The GHTA Industry Branding Action Group is committed to branding the industry's independent retailers as the destination for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and home accessories for consumers, with the ultimate goal of increasing traffic and sales at independent retailers, and thus ensuring the health and viability of the gift and home industry. The Industry Branding Action Group is working to acheive its goals through marketing and public relations campaigns, strategic alliances with existing organizations for small businesses, and education tools for the independent retailer.

Retailer Membership Research

The Retailer Membership Research Action Group is exploring the possibility of expanding the GHTA membership to include retailers.

Retailers

The Retail Action Group works to support the industry's retailers through GHTA members and programs.  This group consists primarly of GHTA's Retailer Advisory Board, made up of retailers from across the country. The Retail Advisory Board provides input regarding issues facing the GHTA and the industry, is the retailer education arm of GHTA and fosters dialog between the GHTA members and retailers.  The Retailer Advisory Board regularly presents information-packed seminars for other retailers at market centers nationwide.  For a current listing of events click here.

Do you know and outstanding retailer would make an excellent member of the Retailer Advisory Board?  If so, nominate him or her to be a part of this exciting and high profile board by emailing info@ghta.net.

Technology Standards

The goal of the Group is to create standards where industry members can easily and uniformly exchange data. These standards will be designed to increase efficiency and decrease costs. They will also enable technology providers to certify the level at which they can exchange information with other technology providers. The first area of focus is product information because it is the area of exchange today that occurs most frequently and occurs in a less than efficient fashion.  The members of this Action Group will focus on technical issues as well as exchange strategies.

Trade Show

The Trade Show Action Group works to educate association members on strategies for more effective and productive trade shows.