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Certification Programs The CDP, CSM, CMD, and CLS designations serve to recognize professionalism, raise standards and improve shopping center industry practices.

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1998 MAXI Awards

A Masterpiece in the Making

Turnover among store managers at Kenwood Towne Centre reached an all-time-high of 65% in 1997. Management viewed the new roster of store managers as a blank canvas to transform into a masterpiece. For the annual merchants meeting, the team aimed to inspire all the managers, reward the top performers, provide a palette of marketing tools, and convey the importance each store employee had to the center's success. The theme of the meeting, which was held at the Cincinnati Art Museum, reinforced the center's commitment to the arts and underscored its reputation for presenting memorable events. Invitations were delivered by an actor clad in an artist's smock and beret. The meeting was scheduled for breakfast, to allow attendees to return to the center in time to open their stores; shuttle buses carried them from the center to the museum and back. The meeting began with a 20-minute video that recapped the successes of the previous year. Then the management team discussed the new stores on the way, the center's marketing goals and plans for the coming year. Top performers were awarded with replicas of artwork, and each attendee received a 1998 marketing guide and a paint can containing a T-shirt printed with an inspiring quote by Picasso. Chamber music and roving actors portraying Michelangelo and Mona Lisa set the stage for breakfast. Meeting attendance increased by 21% over the previous year.

Owned by: Kenwood Plaza Ltd. Partnership.

Managed by: The Mills Corp.

Professional recognition to: Kathy Parsanko, marketing director; Anne Gallrein, assistant marketing director; Paul Sauer, vice president, general manager; Kent Digby, executive vice president, management and marketing.