Topps will have a big name in baseball on hand for its inaugural Industry Conference next month in Scottsdale, Ariz.
It’s Cincinnati Reds prospect Hunter Greene, who was the No.. 2 pick in last year’s MLB Draft, and his first Topps autographs will be part of a meet-and-greet session with those in attendance.
Set in the heart of the Cactus League just as play begins, the conference will include several speakers during the three-day event. Check-ins and a welcome reception are set for the evening of Sunday, Feb. 18 before the full slate begins the following day at the Talking Stick Resort.
Two MLB and MLBPA executives who are key to the industry are already scheduled to attend — MLB VP for Consumer Products Michael Napolitano and MLBPA Director of Licensing & Business Development Evan Kaplan — along with one keynote retail expert as well.
Other speakers are still to be announced but Topps bills it as having “some of our industry’s biggest names, Topps executives, and additional industry experts.”
That’s just the start of the speakers roster for the $199 event, which will include exclusive gifts for attendees each day. Day 1 of the conference (Feb. 19) will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with and evening reception after that. Day 2 will run from 8:30 to 3 p.m.
“In addition to our guest speakers and industry experts, panel and breakout sessions are being scheduled with the set goal to expand your industry knowledge,” said a company statement, “while also providing you a framework to grow on your current success. A formal, finalized schedule will be shared soon.”
For more information or to purchase a registration to the event, click here. Attendance will be limited and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Update: Topps has unveiled its retail speaker for the event — and offered a teaser of its card set made for the event. Attendees will receive one autographed card per day as part of the stuff attendees will receive. Three of those cards can be seen in the gallery above.
Info on the speaker: “Bob Phibbs is the Retail Doctor; a speaker, author of three books and retail sales expert of choice for some of the most-legendary retail brands including LEGO, Tommy Bahama, Cesar’s Palace, Omega and Vera Bradley. With over 30 years experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, he has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur.”
The company will announce even more info for the event next week.
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