Main & Wall Conference to Focus on Growth Strategies

It’s becoming a thrill a day keeping track of the vagaries of the financial markets, all the more so for small to mid-size retail and foodservice companies that must plan for growth in uncertain times. The second annual Main & Wall conference, Feb. 11-13, 2008, at the Mayfair Resort in Coconut Grove, Fla., will help retailers better understand the fluctuations of the financial landscape and help them plan their humanresources and real estate strategies.

Produced by Chain Store Age and David N. Deutsch & Co., Main & Wall is an intimate event targeted at C-level executives from retail, foodservice and consumer-goods companies with less than $1 billion in revenues. Last year’s conference brought together leaders from such growth companies as Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, eBags, Emerging Vision, Party America, Northern Tool + Equipment and Kiddie Kandids, as well as representatives from resources such as Gordon Bros. Group, DJM Realty, MapInfo, Oracle, Marsh, CapitalSource and Lasalle Business Credit.

The 2008 program will feature an overview of the capital markets, including the state of financing and merger/acquisition activity. On the flip side of growth is proper planning for an exit. A session will be devoted to preparing ownership for transition to the next stage of a company’s life cycle.

Private-equity firms and hedge funds are center-stage in today’s capital markets. Another panel will discuss what they are looking for in retail, foodservice and consumer-products companies. Prior to the formal conference program a “corporate finance boot camp” will be held Feb. 11 to review financial terminology and practices.

For more information on the 2008 Main & Wall program, visit www.mainandwallconference.com.