It’s been a tough year for many NCA members and the industry as a whole. But rather than gripe about the challenges, your association has created a new event to help the industry survive and thrive: The 2021 NCA Success Summit!
This event, which will be held via Zoom on March 23-24, is designed to inspire costume businesses to pursue new markets, try out new products, sell more overall, and in general succeed. To RSVP for the Success Summit, visit www.costumers.org/2021-Success-Summit today.
“We are very excited to develop this event,” says NCA President Marion Bradley, owner of Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, Georgia. “We know a lot of costume businesses are suffering right now, and Covid really added to their problems. That’s why we decided to dig in and do something to help!”
Educational and Social Events
The event will feature a combination of educational and social events:
Day One
Tuesday, March 23 (all times are Central)
10 a.m.: Coffee Hour - Pour yourself a cup of joe, sit in front of your computer, and chat with friends and peers! This virtual coffee hour will the kick-off social events of the Success Summit and will be set up to allow conversations in side rooms so that the main room doesn't get noisy.
11 a.m.: Improving Your Online Sales - Even when COVID ends, selling online will still be important for successful costume shops. This panel discussion will feature three costume shop owners who have succeeded with their online sales. They'll explain what works for them and then take questions from the attendees.
- Courtland Hickey, Chicago Costume
- Terry Sinopoli, Arlene's Costumes, Rochester, NY
Noon: Serving the Theater Community During and After COVID - The theater community was completely shut down by COVID, which means that revenue dried up for most costume shops. But a new season is upon us and slowly things are opening up. This panel discussion will include experiences and insight from three costume shop owners and one vendor who are all serving the theater community. Hear what they're doing and ask any questions you have!
- Gene Flaharty, Mehron Inc.
- Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery, Omaha
- Christy Hutchinson, Theatre Garage, Edmonton, Alberta
- Debbie Hamrick, Debbie's Costume Shop, Columbus, OH
1 p.m. Bitch Session - Want to let off some steam? This is your chance! As the closing event of the first day of the NCA Success Summit, we're inviting attendees to let it all hang out. We want to hear your problems and complaints, and hopefully other attendees can provide a few solutions....or at least sympathy!
Day Two
Wednesday, March 24 (all times are Central)
10 a.m.: Coffee Hour with NCA History Presentation - Drink your coffee and watch a slide show packed with old photos from NCA's 90+ years of history! Who knows, maybe you'll even see yourself!
11 a.m.: Selling to Unconventional Markets - Sometimes success involves just finding the right market. This panel discussion will feature costumers who have succeeded in selling to Cosplay enthusiasts, the drag community, and various other unconventional markets. Learn how they reach and serve these markets!
- Katherine Sprague, Tabikat, Moscow, Idaho
- Courtland Hickey, Chicago Costume
- Anne Newman, Kryolan Corp.
Noon: Selling Non-Costume Retail Items - Your customers might walk in looking for a costume or some make-up, but why not add a few other items to their shopping cart? This panel discussion will cover the selection and sales of games, magic, toys, impulse items and other fun retail items that can add profit to your store. Each panelist will share their experiences and offer tips.
- Dick Stoner, Stoner's Funstore, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Jerry Bradley, Discount Costumes, Warner Robins, Georgia
- Louella Torrence, Drop Me a Line Costume Shop, Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Tushar Mehta, Camden Passage
1 p.m. Fancy Hat Ball - Let's close out the 2021 Success Summit with a cocktail and some fun! The Fancy Hat Ball will be a chance for you to show off your favorite headgear and chat with friends and peers on more time.
Open to Everyone and Free
A key fact about the Success Summit is that it will be open to current, former and prospective NCA members, and there will be no charge to attend. The NCA is committed to helping the entire costume industry survive and thrive and this event is an investment in the future.
“We hope many former and future NCA members attend,” Bradley says. “There is a lot of activity on both ends of the costumer spectrum – from people who are retired or considering it to people who are just starting out – and all of them are welcome at the Success Summit.”
To RSVP for the Success Summit, visit www.costumers.org/2021-Success-Summit today.