Women’s Business Center Training Goes On The Road To Dallas Market

It’s still not too  late for you to sign up for this unique business women’s venture.  As a woman, small retail business owner have you ever considered getting on a bus with other women business owners and exploring all the resources available to you in Dallas, TX?  The Women’s Business Center (WBC) of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) is taking training on the road including a trip to the Dallas Market Center (DMC).  The Trade Center encompasses four buildings totaling more than five million square feet with fifteen floors of showrooms include gourmet foods, jewelry, beads for jewelry making, accessories, apparel, furniture, rugs, lighting and floral.  The bus trip, scheduled May 3 and 4, will start from Kellyville, OSU Fairgrounds at 7:00 a.m.,  and will include stops in McAlester at 8:30 a.m. and Durant  at 10:00 a.m. before heading to Dallas.  Time on the bus will not be wasted.  Presentations on the road include marketing, merchandise displays and business plans.

Upon arrival at the Market, the group will have an orientation and become acquainted with the DMC, its mission and where to find specific inventory.  Presentations at the DMC include pricing, financial plans and buying plans.  Attendees and will learn about the art of merchandise display, how to register to do business at the DMC, how to locate potential markets and visit with a display and fixture distributor.  There will also be a bus tour with stops for locating inventory in the Harry Hines district.  There will also be an opportunity to view window displays while shopping at North Park Mall.

Business owners must present a copy of their state sales and use tax permits, a voided business check, personalized imprinted business card, photo ID and other documentation dependent upon the type of business to be able to do business at the DMC.

Call to discuss eligibility to register.  Business owners and those seriously contemplating a business will be given first consideration.  No personal vehicles will be allowed on the trip.  All participants must ride the bus.

Total cost of the trip is $200.00 for a single room and $150 if sharing a double room.  The cost includes the bus trip, hotel, breakfast and tours.  All rooms are non-smoking.  No refunds will be given after April 19, 2010.

Space is limited and registrations will be accepted until April 19 or until the bus is at capacity.  Co-sponsor of the Dallas Market Trip is OSU Cooperative Extension.  This educational opportunity is tax deductible.  For more information, please contact Dr. Barbara Rackley, WBC coordinator, or Lori Smith at 800-658-2823