On Wednesday, May 13, from 2:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. (MDT) Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will jumpstart the 2009 Outdoor University® retail education program with Staffing for Summer: Hire Wisely, No Regrets, a live Webinar workshop designed to provide retailers with crucial tips on how to recruit and prepare staff for increased summer traffic.

Consisting of monthly, one-hour webinar workshops, Outdoor University is focused on challenges specific to outdoor industry businesses and is designed to help improve business infrastructure, ensure skill development and provide information on emerging trends and technologies.

Presented by Dan Mann of The Mann Group (TMG), a retail consulting firm specializing in retail management, training and strategic planning, Staffing for Summer: Hire Wisely, No Regrets will reveal:

• How much money it COSTS you when you make a bad hiring decision and how you can avoid hiring mistakes

• How to identify the ideal types of people to hire for the positions you need and where to find them

• How you can convince them to join your team – even though you may be paying less than they can earn elsewhere

“With Memorial Day and summer fast approaching, this staffing webinar is a timely and affordable resource for retailers looking for smart solutions on tight budgets," said Ann Obenchain, vice president of member services and marketing for OIA. "Having the right staff – fully trained and ready to go – in time for increased traffic during the summer is imperative for a successful season."

Outdoor University is offered free to OIA members and for $99 per webinar for non-members. Pre-registration is required. For complete information on the Outdoor University program, speakers or to register, visit www.outdoorindustry.org

Outdoor University 2009 Schedule

Wednesday, May 13 – Staffing for Summer: Hire Wisely, No Regrets

Wednesday, June 10 – Easy PR Tips for Summer

Wednesday, July 8 – Boost Your Sales & Staff’s Expertise with Online Training

Wednesday, August 5 – Improving Your Bottom Line

Wednesday, September 9 – Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotions

Wednesday, October 14 – Harnessing email and e-commerce to Drive Holiday Traffic

Wednesday, November 11 – Turning Shoppers into Buyers

Wednesday, December 9 – Maintaining Margins During the Holidays

Wednesday, January 13 – Managing Consumer Buzz on Social Media

Outdoor University® is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors: Outdoor Retailer, JanSport, Woolrich, 3point5.com, The Leisure Trends Group, Alien Truth Communications, Base Camp Communications, Creative Business Consulting Group, Darby Communications, Gluskin Townley Group, Pale Morning Media, The Mann Group, and Redwood Creek.

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About Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University®, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.