2004 ISPA Industry Conference Speaker Advisory

Furniture World Magazine

The International Sleep Products Association will host the 2004 ISPA Industry Conference in Washington D.C., at the Capital Hilton. Top speakers will address the latest updates on regulatory, political and international trade activities affecting the mattress industry. Listed below is the schedule of conference speakers. All sessions will be held at The Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton, 1001 16th St., Washington, DC 20036 THURSDAY, Sept. 9 9:00-10:30 a.m. Business Session with ISPA Chair Tom LeDuc LeDuc will be joined by ISPA President Dick Doyle, Sealy 's Mike Murray for a report on government relations, ISPA’s Ryan Trainer for an update from the Mattress Disposal Task Force and Therapedic's Gerry Borreggine for a Better Sleep Council 25th anniversary presentation. 10:45-11:45 a.m. Linda McKinney: Multigenerational Work Force. McKinney is President of Achievers International and a specialist in team-building for success. 12:15-1:45 p.m. Luncheon with Congressman Jim DeMint (R-SC) Congressman DeMint, candidate in the upcoming Senatorial election, will speak on Global Trade issues. 2:15-3:15 p.m. Jerry Epperson: The Epperson Outlook Epperson, the most quoted furniture industry analyst, is managing director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson. FRIDAY, Sept. 10 9:30-10:00 a.m. Hal Stratton: Flammability Rule Making Stratton is chairman of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He will be joined by Margaret Neily, Director of CPSC's Combustion Fire Sciences Division. 10:45-11:45 a.m. Larry Sabato: Elections 2004 Crystal Ball Known as the "Dr. Phil of American Politics," Sabato is Director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. 12:15-1:45 p.m. Michael Colopy: China – Opportunities Abound (luncheon) Colopy, a hit speaker at ISPA's EXPO 2004 conference, is a partner in O'Connor & Hannan International Trade. In addition to the business sessions, members of the working press are welcome to attend receptions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 in the Congressional room. ISPA would like to thank Hassan Group for its contribution to the 2004 ISPA Industry Conference. For additional information on conference activities, contact Nancy Blatt, Vice President of Communications or Sarah Pali, Communication Specialist at (703) 683-8371. Established in 1915 to encourage laws that regulate the use of sanitary materials in mattresses, the International Sleep Products Association, www.sleepproducts.org, represents nearly 800 mattress manufacturers and their component suppliers throughout the world. ISPA is dedicated to protecting the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress manufacturing industry.