WRLA Toolbox: August 29, 2013
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Welcome to the ToolBox, your portal to WRLA member news and information within the LBM market. We invite you to learn more about what's going on within your association and the companies whose products and/or services you utilize.

What's Going On


Your complete hard copy guide to all things WRLA. Visit our website often for news, events and most importantly - member updates!



Need more copies? Complete the form and submit to the WRLA Office.

THE 2013-2014 DIRECTORY & PRODUCT SOURCE GUIDE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF WRLA INC.

 


Change, Expansion, and Forward Thinking = WRLA Rebranding

About two years ago, the WRLA realized it needed to rebrand to better reflect its modern energy and position the association for growth. Check out the results of this decision!

CLICK HERE to Watch Now!

Click here to read the WRLA Member Letter

Click here to read the Press Release

 


Seven $3,000 scholarships per academic year may be awarded to selected applicants who have been accepted as of September 2013 for their first or second year of studies at a recognized University, College, or Technical Program and meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant must be under 25 years of age at the time of application and entering their first or second year of post secondary education on a full time basis.
  • Must be a Full or Part-time employee, owner or dependent, of a WRLA retail, affiliate or associate member company.
  • All employees must have been employed with the member firm for at least one year at the time of application and each member company must be a member of the WRLA for a minimum of twelve months prior to submission deadline.

WRLA Scholarship Deadline: October 4, 2013

 


West Can Group and WRLA Inc. have been working together to provide excellent rates and services to WRLA Members and there family and friends!

A Quick list of WRLA Long Distance Rates

  •  2.5¢ per minute within Canada
  •  2.5¢ per minute to the USA
  •  International calls rater per country
  •  No monthly recurring charge
  •  No contracts


Start your saving Today! 

AND Sign up before August 1st and a $5 credit will be applied to your account!


CLICK HERE for the Full Brochure and Application Form

 


Got News?  Share it with us! 
And always watch for new videos and updates from the WRLA!

   

Help us get the word out about OUR Industry!

 
Industry News

NRHA Monthly Program Communication – August 2013

Let your employees take ownership in merchandising by putting them in charge of certain displays. Here are a few ideas to get your team thinking when they're planning summer displays:

• Outdoor power equipment doesn’t sell in a box. Trimmers and lawn mowers should be set up to their working condition so shoppers can actually try them out if they want to before they purchase them.

• If you’re selling plants, sell mature plants in full bloom. Customers like to see color, and that’s what sells plants. If you have a wide variety of plants, group them by type and where they grow. For example, group shady growing plants with other shady growing plants.

Seven Ways to Make Your Special Event a Success

Summer offers many opportunities to throw events that will get people to your business. Here are some tips to help you plan your special event:

Define your goals for the event. Ask yourself questions like: Who is my target audience? What items do I want to promote?

Start planning early. Depending on the complexity of the event, it may take anywhere from three to nine months to plan. First make a list of everything you’ll need for the day, including special guests, rented equipment, special merchandise for sale, food and advertising. Then schedule them as far in advance as you can so you’re assured everything is in place on event day.

Enlist employees to help. Assign staff members to particular duties according to their interests or abilities. Keep all employees informed about event details so everyone feels included and can help generate excitement about the event among the customers.
Advertise.

Utilize social media sites to build excitement in the days and weeks leading up to your event. Always give personal invitations to customers who are in your store.

Prep your store. Use banners, special signage, balloons and other decorations throughout the store to send the message something special is happening.

Get outside (while it’s nice out!). Hold the event outside—in your parking lot, on the sidewalk or in a grassy area—whenever possible. This will bring in more traffic, as people walking or driving by will stop in to see what’s going on.

Pay attention to every detail. Take the time to think through every part of the event and catch problems before they happen. For example, ask yourself questions such as: How do I avoid long lines at the cashier? Where will people park? Who will greet customers at the door?


WRLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRHA
The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA. 

Visit www.wrla.org or CLICK HERE for more information about NRHA.

 
Calendar of Events


September 5, 2013
WRLA Calgary Classic Annual Golf Tournament
Sundre Golf Course, Sundre, AB

September 11, 2013
WRLA Kenosee Annual Golf Tournament
Kenosee Golf Club, Kenosee, SK

October 5 - 6, 2013
Chalifour Expo
Montreal, QC

October 5 - 7, 2013
TruServ Market
Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB

October 20 - 21, 2013
FCL Market
Saskatoon, SK


To view the complete Events Calendar  CLICK HERE

 
Member Updates

2013-2014 WRLA DIRECTORY & Product Source Guide

Page 94
Boundary Consumers Cooperative Limited / Deloraine Home Centre
CORRECT EMAIL: b.sorensen@boundarycoop.ca

Page 101
Shoemaker Drywall Supplies
NEW ADDRESS:
235 De Baets Street
Winnipeg, MB   R2J 4A8

Page 113
Boyd Distributors Inc.
NEW ADDRESS:
12210 Mount Lawn Road
Edmonton, AB  T5B 4J4

Page 132
PinkWood Ltd.
NEW ADDRESS:
5929 6th St. NE
Calgary, AB   T2K 5R5

Page 137
NEW COMPANY NAME: CT Darnell Construction
Replaces Sunbelt Material Handling of Canada Corp.
www.CT-Darnell.com

Page 138
Tolko Marketing & Sales Ltd.
NEW PHONE: (250) 545-4411
NEW COMPANY EMAIL: tolko@tolko.com

 
Association Publications

Support your association and broadcast your business to hundreds of decision-makers in the lumber industry. Advertising opportunities are still available in several WRLA publications:

The YardStick: The YardStick is sent to more than 1,200 members firms every other month. Advertising in the largest issue of The YardStick, the Prairie Showcase edition, is a great way to reinforce your marketing message with hundreds of decision-makers who regularly read this magazine while supporting WRLA. Ads booked within the print edition automatically appear (linked to the website or email of your choice) in the digital edition, which is read by more than 500 visitors each issue. Exclusive online ad positions are also available within every digital edition.

The Toolbox: Delivered directly to the inboxes of more than 1,200 lumber managers and professionals, this
weekly e-newsletter offers consistent access to the individuals who rely on your products and services to run their businesses.

Directory & Product Source Guide:
WRLA is the largest retail lumber association on the Prairies, with its membership representing 85% of the industry. All of our members are included in this annual directory and all keep this publication handy year-round. Make sure your business stands out in this resource by purchasing a display advertisement.

WRLA.org: Our website average more than 3,000 visits per month! Advertising space is available on the home and sub-pages of WRLA.org. Ads rotate on the home page and sub pages, expanding your exposure to site visitors at an affordable price.

WRLA-TV: Introducing the NEW WRLA-TV Banner Sponsorship. Our online TV and banners offer your brand high visibility on the WRLA homepage. Your branding and action oriented banner is featured every time WRLA-TV’s videos are played by our audience, leaving them one-click away from your website‘s landing page.

For more information about these opportunities, click here for the media kit or contact:

Kim Davies
Project Manager
(800) 665-2456, ext. 423
kdavies@naylor.com 

 
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If your company has news that you would like to see in The ToolBox, please email your news releases to news@wrla.org
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