Cd’a Downtown Merchants Bring In Sales Consultant

The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association will hold its general meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Turnover of downtown merchants this winter has reached near-record numbers, as more than a dozen small businesses have moved. New businesses have filled some of the vacancies, but it’s become a difficult sell for downtown Coeur d’Alene because of competition from the Silver Lake Mall, the incoming Spokane Valley Mall, a revitalized downtown Spokane, and even WalMarts in Moscow and Sandpoint.

To help merchants get every sale, the association has brought in Norma Seth of Tom Hopkins International, a sales-training firm. The meeting is free.

In other events this week:

Today

William Tierney of Kansas State University holds integrated risk management workshop for wheat growers at 8:30 a.m. in the VFW Hall in Odessa, Wash.

Potato Lover’s Month begins in Washington.

Tuesday

Washington State Potato Conference & Trade Show opens at the Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, through Thursday. Call Gary Pelter at 509-765-8845.

Washington State University Cooperative Extension agents conduct crop production seminar, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Davenport, Wash., Memorial Hall. Cost: $10. Call 509-725-4171.

President Clinton delivers his State of the Union address.

Wednesday

Spokane financial planner Jim Howard speaks to the Inland Northwest Society of Consulting Professionals at 7:15 a.m. at the Ridpath Hotel. Call 455-8244.

Itron Inc. to release fourth-quarter and 1996 earnings.

Itron Senior Vice President Klaus Huschke will discuss “The Trials and Tribulations of International Marketing” at a 7 a.m. seminar. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion. For information or reservations, call Sally Harris at 624-9285.

Kansas State’s Tierney repeats integrated risk management workshop at 8 a.m. in the Whitman County Public Service Building in Colfax, and at 1:30 p.m. at the Spokane County Ag Center, 222 N. Havana.

Thursday

Jill Smith, co-owner of Buckeye Beans & Herbs, speaks at the Recipe for Business Success Seminar for Women by Women, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $35. Call 353-2800.

David Schilke, physical security specialist with the Federal Protective Service, General Services Administration, will discuss managing violence in the workplace. The presentation will be 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Colleges of Spokane’s Business Training and Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. The cost is $35. Contact Sarah Patterson at 533-4708

The nation’s largest retailers report their sales for January.

President Clinton releases his budget.

Friday

U.S. Department of Labor releases January unemployment figures, as does Idaho Department of Labor. The Federal Reserve releases data on consumer credit. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Measuring the Economy - Total employment

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Feb. 3: Cover story analyzes the best mutual funds in 1996 and the past five years. Fortune, Feb. 3: Cover story investigates the ease with which computer hackers and competitors can read your e-mail.

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