Local Business Owner to Serve on Retail Panel at International Market

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. - Dec. 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Karin Bennett, co-owner of Lake Geneva’s Cornerstone Shop & Gallery, has been selected to speak at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, (Jan. 12-19, 2016), which features over 7,300 brands, networking and educational programs at AmericasMart.

Bennett will share her years of experience in marketing, social media and events while serving on the panel “Cultivate – Collaborate – Escalate: Increase Exposure & Drive Traffic to Your Store.” Bennett, along with other retailers and industry experts will also address challenges facing brick and mortar stores, share collaboration ideas, and discuss opportunities to connect with customers and creative ways to enhance the store experience.

Moderated by Becky Tyre, Owner of Retail Details Blog, the session takes place on Sat., January 16, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., in Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1004 at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Visit www.americasmart.com for additional information.

Bennett is a former marketing professional who opened her first retail store in Lake Geneva in 2004. Looking for a location to expand, she and her husband purchased a building and established the Cornerstone Shop & Gallery in 2007. The 10,000 square foot lifestyle store caters to the tourist market, and is designed to spark its customer’s creativity and inspire their imagination. The Cornerstone Shop has been honored with many awards for its eclectic mix of merchandise and ever changing displays.

Bennett has been actively involved in community initiatives, and has worked to more closely align broader tourism efforts with downtown small business marketing. She collaborates with other local businesses to draw customers not only to the Cornerstone Shop, but also to the Lake Geneva area. She is past President and Board Member of the Lake Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board and Marketing Committee. Prior to moving to Lake Geneva, she served on the Board of Directors for the March of Dimes in Madison, Wisconsin, and was active in the United Way campaign. Having developed and launched her own website, social media and customer loyalty programs, Bennett has also assisted many small businesses with business planning, event planning and marketing plans.

  The Cornerstone Shop is a downtown Lake Geneva destination specializing in home décor; fine tabletop, linens and giftware; women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories; artisan products including paintings from local and regional artists, hand-blown glass and ceramics; and gifts for all occasions. The store hosts special events throughout the year, including artist receptions, book signings, and its largest event of the year, the annual Holiday Open House. The Cornerstone Shop & Gallery is located at 214 Broad St.,