The Economic Empowerment Zones Agency (EEZA) will be hosting a series of workshops for retailers and vendors aimed at providing them with success strategies on how to take their businesses to the next level in these challenging economic times.Next Tuesday, October 22, the first workshop, Making Money at Vending — Tips & Techniques to Increase Sales and Reduce Costs, will be held at the Bermuda Industrial Union from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Presenters include Nikki Fagan of Advertising Associates, Michelle Wales of the Old Towne Market, Florence Smith of Butterfield Bank, Alexandra Mosher of Studio Jewellry and Vic Ball of Strategic Procurement Solutions. Both Ms Fagan and Ms Wales will share strategies on how social media can increase customer traffic and vendor sales.Ms Smith will showcase Butterfield’s mobile credit card processing devices that create easy credit card processing in any Bermuda location.Ms Mosher and Scott Pitcher of East End Organics will also be present to share their personal experiences in using Butterfield’s mobile credit card devices.And Mr Ball will discuss key cost saving tips for importers to save money when importing products into the island.William Spriggs, the Somerset EEZ Economic development officer and seminar organiser seminar, stated “Vendors and retailers have to be more strategic than ever in getting customers to happily spend their dollars in these times.“The EEZA has organised a dynamic presenter line-up for our October 22 workshop; Many entrepreneurs in our current climate are interested more than ever in how social media can transform their businesses. This learning coupled with tips from our presenters will help attendees increase sales revenues and decrease product related costs.“This workshop is very timely as it provides tangible strategies on how to achieve these pivotal ideas from those who have already done it!”The second workshop within the three-part series is titled Vending as a Business — Merchandising for success and will be held on November 5. The third workshop, Bermuda’s Vendor Markets — Identifying your niche, will take place on November 19. Attendance at all three workshops will gain participants a Certificate of Completion.All workshops will be held at the Bermuda Industrial Union, 49 Union Street, Hamilton from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.To register in advance, please email info@bedc.bm. Registration is $20 for BEDC Members and $25 for all others. Those registering for all three seminars, receive a discount of $10. Light refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6pm. Walk-ins are welcome.