Panini America Announces Leadership Role in the 2011 Industry Summit

With a company-wide mantra touting 2011 as “The Year of the Hobby Shop,” Panini America officials will participate in the 2011 Industry Summit and introduce a comprehensive commitment to independent sports and entertainment collectible retailers, company executives revealed today.

“We made the biggest splash at the inaugural Industry Summit last year by giving attendees a glimpse into our long-term dedication to the hobby shop sector, undoubtedly the lifeblood of our business,” said Rodney Alsup, Panini America’s Hobby Sales Manager. “This year, we will follow that up with several show-stealing announcements that will prove just how serious we are about the current state and future health of this great industry.”

The company will use its Industry Summit participation to announce “an unprecedented investment in Panini America-certified independent card and collectible retailers and distributors.” While company executives declined to reveal specifics, they did say they plan to position their certified hobby stores as the first and most exciting places for collectors to obtain the company’s industry-leading licensed trading cards and collectibles.

“We will have a concerted effort this year designed to help make the neighborhood hobby shop the destination spot for collectors. Panini Authorized Retailers will be first and foremost in our consideration for hobby marketing activations,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America’s Vice President of Marketing. “Detailing the importance of social media initiatives to our company’s growth and leadership standing will also play a key role in our Summit presence.”

Also planned as part of Panini America’s activation at the Summit . . .

• An exclusive Summit address by Mike Anderson, the company’s Vice President of Sales
• Tracy Hackler, the company’s Hobby Marketing Manager, will co-moderate the Summit’s Role of Social Media panel
• The company’s trademark brand of Summit attendee gifts
• One special unique, one-of-a-kind prize for a hobby store that attends the Summit

In addition, Panini will conduct several Summit “R&D’’ sessions with retailers, and will provide retail-store attendees with Summit-exclusive gifts — including the historically popular “Black Box.’’

For more information on the 2011 Industry Summit, scheduled for March 20-23 at Las Vegas’ Orleans Hotel & Casino, visit www.regonline.com/vegas2011