Electronic Retailer - June 2012 - 8

YOUR ASSOCIATION, YOUR BOTTOM LINE

BY JULIE COONS

Fostering Global Engagement

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This month, many of our ERA members and fellow direct response colleagues will shift their focus from domestic business to international affairs as they travel to Berlin, Germany, for The Electronic HomeShopping Conference 2012 presented by ERA Europe. This year’s event will take place June 24-26 at the Marriott Hotel, Berlin, where more than 300 delegates are expected to gather. ERA Europe surpassed previous attendance records with its 2011 conference, which took place in Stockholm, Sweden – attracting 367 attendees from all over the world. What’s more, 80 percent of those in attendance identified themselves as executive management level, and you can expect that same caliber of attendees at this year’s conference. Among the many highlights on the agenda will be the education program. On Monday, June 25, ERA Europe will host a session titled, “From Home Shopping to Teleshopping to Electronic Retailing: The Multichannel Regulatory Challenge in Europe.” This panel discussion will address the deep restructuring of European television and the internet landscape as they transition over to digital. These industry thought leaders will also explore how our industry expectations meet those of the regulators, deciding how and under what standards these new media should be administered. It’s also my sincere pleasure to moderate “Global Forum: The Success Factors from Electronic Retailing in Key Markets Around the World.” I will be joined by keynote speaker, Mr. Min Hyung Dong, CEO, Hyundai Home Shopping Network; Jerome Dillard, head of e-commerce and distance selling, TF1; Jeffrey Knowles, chair, Government Division, Venable LLC; Dr. Sanghoon (Sam) Kim, Ph.D., advertising society and self-regulation jury chair, South Korea; and Konrad Hilbers, HSE 24, Germany. During this unprecedented discussion, leaders representing the most successful electronic retailing markets will share what economic,

marketing and cultural factors makes home shopping a driving retail force in markets such as South Korea, Germany and the United States. On Tuesday, June 26, two sessions you won’t want to miss include “Growth Markets, the Evolution of the Electronic Retailing Consumer” and “Social Media – Is it Impacting the Electronic Retailing Business Model?” Event s l i ke E R A Eu rop e’s E le c t ron ic HomeShopping Conference and ERA’s The Great Ideas Summit and Hong Kong Seminar remind us all of the real value proposition that ERA brings its members: significant international participation. The Great Ideas Summit alone attracted a notable global presence; 25 percent of all attendees at February’s event were international, of which 49 percent were from Europe, 25 percent were from Canada, 15 percent were from Latin America, 10 percent from were from Asia Pacific and 2 percent were from other countries of origin. However, when it comes to attracting a wide delegation of global industry leaders, look no further than the upcoming 2012 ERA D2C Convention. Nearly 4,000 industry professionals will meet September 11-13 at Wynn Las Vegas to forge new industry relationships and close those very lucrative marketing deals. The 2011 D2C Convention welcomed a total international attendance of 16 percent. Of those, 42 percent were from Europe, 24 percent were from Canada, 18 percent were from Asia Pacific, 11 percent were from Latin America and 5 percent were from other countries of origin. This year’s D2C Convention will be featurepacked with expansive exhibits, representing the U.S. and international vendors/suppliers. And rest assured, there will be plenty of networking opportunities for direct response marketing professionals who want to expand their business beyond their domestic borders. After all, it is ERA’s mission to help its members enrich their business by fostering global engagement.

However, when it comes to attracting a wide delegation of global industry leaders, look no further than the upcoming 2012 ERA D2C Convention.

electronicRETAILER | June 2012

Electronic Retailer - June 2012

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