Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Appoints New Board of Directors 

Addison, Texas, April 1, 2008 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), a member-run industry association established to represent individuals and their companies dedicated to advancing industry awareness of retail facilities maintenance, announced their newly elected Board of Directors for 2009.

The association's new Board of Directors will look strategically to the future. Led by newly-elected President Mario Vega, Sr. Manager of Repair & Maintenance, The Gymboree Corporation, the PRSM Board is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the association, which includes approximately 1,500 members from across the country.

"As PRSM looks ahead to the next year-there are many focuses to enhance the lives and businesses of our members, said Vega. "From promoting the sustainability of retail maintenance in the ever-changing economy, to enhancing PRSM's research to ensure that it remains a valuable tool for our members-we look forward to the opportunities that are on the horizon."

Click here for the list of the 2008/2009 Board of Directors.

Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Announces 2008 Award Winners

Orlando, Florida, April 16, 2008 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Awards were announced last night in Orlando, Florida at the PRSM2008! National Conference Awards Ceremony. It was a spectacular event that showcased the association's most distinguished awards, The Retailer of the Year and The Vendor of the Year. "Both of these awards honor excellence in performance in their respective workplaces, both winners have exemplified the professionalism and industry expertise that is essential in today's retail environment to be effective contributors to the retailers' management team," stated Mario Vega, PRSM Association President and Director of Store Maintenance and Refurbishments, The Gymboree Corporation, San Francisco, Calif.

Other Awards given during the ceremony were 2008 Outstanding PRSM Volunteer of the Year and the 2008 PRSM Association Service Excellence Awards.

Click here for more information about the Award Winners.

PRSM2008! - Exceeding Expectations Through Education

Addison, Texas, - On April 13-15, the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association hosted its National Convention at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.

PRSM2008!, set to exceed your expectations with a sold out exhibition and 50 plus hours of education, was a premier event for all levels of facilities maintenance professionals.

Keynote Speakers
There were many exciting events at this year's conference. We started the show with Keynote Speaker, Chris Gardner who is best known as the inspiration for the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, released by Columbia Pictures in December 2006. Also on the agenda was Keynote Speaker, Erik Wahl. His program, "The Art of Vision," is designed to channel innovative strategies to achieve results.

Education
We had over 40 breakout sessions being taught by industry experts. This year's tracks consist of Hot Topics, Professional Development, Management and Retail Facility Technical Sessions.

A few highlighted speakers for sessions were Kevin Cashman whose book Leadership from the Inside Out, was named the number one best selling business book of 2000 and one of the top 20 best-selling business books of the decade. He is currently the leadership columnist for Forbes.com. Author of The Exceptional Presenter, Tim Koegel's session was to enhance your ability to make your business cases and presentations to senior management.

Exposition
There were over 350 top companies who showcased their new products and services. Some of the companies include: US Maintenance, Concept Air, Lennox, Industrial Business Services, Academy Fire Protection, ADI, Terminix, Roto-Rooter and many more.

Greening Initiatives
PRSM is committed to raising awareness so that retail facilities maintenance professionals understand what issues can make or break a retailer's drive toward sustainable business practices. At PRSM2008!, a variety of initiatives were set to support PRSM's greening initiatives. There are four specific sessions focusing on greening issues. They touch on a broad overview of today's environment changes that impact our everyday lives to specific programs you can initiate to be more eco friendly in your practices. The Greening sessions included: Climate Change & Energy Management; Flooring Materials Positive Impact on Greening Initiative; Retailing Sustainability in Action; and Lighting Sustainability for National Chains.

The PRSM Conference is a great opportunity to learn useful and practical information, recharge your energy level and focus on what is new and upcoming in the industry that can help you meet the daily demands of your position.

Click on the following links to learn more about PRSM Mid-Year Conference & the PRSM2009! National Conference.