Coupons Continue to Build Business; 2011-12 Educational Seminars and Conference Scheduled

Online, August 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - In 2010 coupon distribution increased 8.1 percent to 333 billion, and redemption was 3.13 billion. These numbers have maintained the same 2009 levels, which already reflected a significant 27 percent increase over 2008. (Source: 2011 Inmar Coupon Report)

As manufacturers and retailers continue to use coupons to build sales and increase brand loyalty, the Association of Coupon Professionals (ACP) will hold two educational seminars, taught by leaders in the field, which can help attendees plan a marketing campaign with coupons which maximizes their return on investment.

Seminar dates and locations are:
•October 12, 2011, Doubletree Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago)
•March 20, 2012, Hotel Monaco, Alexandria, Virginia (Washington, DC), in conjunction with the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) Summit

Seminar participants will learn how to market their business with this time-tested tool, can refresh their knowledge of coupons or bring themselves up to speed on new technologies. Digital, Internet Print-at-Home and traditional paper coupons will be discussed. Technologies like Mobile and Click-to-Card (frequent shopper card) coupons will also be explored.

"As coupons have become more popular in today's economic climate - now is the time to learn more about them," stated Val Stark, Director of ACP's Education Committee. "Retail customers are using coupons more than ever before. Marketing with coupons is a critical -- and time tested -- strategy for building business and connecting with customers. Our educational seminars include coupon industry veterans who can bring you up to speed on the basics, or introduce you to new technologies such as mobile coupons, digital coupons, and GS1 DataBar, the new UPC coding system."

The lively, interactive sessions review all aspects of the couponing industry. Presenters are industry experts who can draw on decades of experience in the field in answering questions and providing advice.

Seminar topics will include: Effective Coupon Strategies, Coupon Distribution Types, Coupon Design, Family Code Management, Redemption Cycle, Misredemption, Managing Risk and other areas. Attendees will follow the path of a coupon from the time it is issued through redemption, financial settlement and reporting with a detailed view of all the functions in the process. Updates to the transition to the GS1 Databar will also be included.

Attendance is limited and potential participants should contact the ACP without delay as sessions fill-up quickly. A limited number of rooms have been set aside for attendees who are not able to fly in and out the same day.

In 2012 the ACP will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary and have announced its annual industry conference taking place April 24 - 26 in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information visit www.couponpros.org, or contact John Morgan, Executive Director of ACP, at 610-789-9993 or John.Morgan@acp-hq.org.

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