The Complete Picture Inspiration Center at PMA 2006

JACKSON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2005--PMA 2006 (Feb. 26-March 1, 2006) will feature The Complete Picture(TM) inspiration center, a showcase of hands-on lifestyle experiences designed specifically for the most powerful target market, Jennifer, the Gen-X Mom ("Jennifer" is the name PMA is using to describe this target market).

This concept store, to be located on the PMA Trade Show floor (Booth 4377), will provide photo imaging industry members concrete retail solutions, organized into comprehensive collections called "inspiration centers." These centers focus on the core areas of how she (Jennifer) interacts and engages with images.

Jennifer is the most powerful customer shopping at retail stores. PMA research indicates, as parents, Gen-X moms are motivated to accumulate photo assets through buying cameras and archiving prints. As young parents - 24-44 years old - they are also likely to maintain an active lifestyle that produces events and picture-taking opportunities. When provided with affordable products and services, this group can be powerful in the photo business. The main challenges for the industry are to understand the experiences and motivations of this group and achieve - through products, service and store design - an intimate relationship with them.

Inspiration centers are designed to delight, surprise and enhance the retail experience for Jennifer, by allowing her to discover solutions for problems she did not realize could be solved. Ultimately, the retailer will understand her needs and desires, then provide services to earn her trust and purchase potential.

The Complete Picture will feature the following five inspiration centers, each illustrating a specific "killer app."

• Preserving is devoted to the preservation of memories for display on walls, in albums and on screen.
• Creating is devoted to products and services centered on "doing more" with your pictures. This is a solutions center for digital scrapbooking, scrapbooking, photo calendars, website posting and output from a variety of media types.
• Connecting is the place for younger consumers looking for ways to interact with, share or personalize their photo imaging experience.
• Celebrating is centered on picture-taking occasions. The focus is on prepackaged solutions, such as kit rentals and event kits, as well as seasonal activities. This could also include gift items.
• Performance is dedicated to those customers who demand the best performing high-end products and services. This is not tech for the sake of tech, but tech to make life better.

The Complete Picture inspiration center is designed by JGA (Southfield, Mich.), one of the nation's leading retail design, brand strategy and architectural firms. Guidance was also provided by leading photo specialty retailers, sponsoring firms and marketing experts.

Visitors to the booth can pick up a goody bag, including sponsor giveaways and customized information on how to identify the target customer, enhance and emphasize services, and successfully implement lifestyle retailing.

Imaging at its most innovative is the theme for PMA 2006, the world's largest annual international photo imaging convention and trade show, which will take place at the Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Orlando, Florida.

PMA 2006, the 82nd annual event, will offer 200-plus educational sessions featuring approximately 450 speakers/chairpersons, as well as a Trade Show with 700-plus exhibiting firms. Also taking place within the six days of non-stop information exchange for industry members (which includes two days of pre-convention functions, Feb. 24-25) will be the DIMA® Annual Conference (Digital Imaging Marketing Association®), the PSPA(TM) Annual Convention (Professional School Photographers Association International), the PPFA® Annual Convention (Professional Picture Framers Association(TM)) and the PSRO(TM) Annual Convention (Professional Scrapbook Retailers Organization(TM)).

For registration information, industry members can contact the PMA Convention Department at (800) 248-8804 in the U.S. and Canada, or (517) 788-8100, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (EST).

Click here for information at the PMA website.

SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance and PMA website