Electronic Retailer - July 2012 - 8

YOUR ASSOCIATION, YOUR BOTTOM LINE

BY JULIE COONS

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ERA Sets the Stage for the 2012 ERA D2C Convention
on Wednesday, September 12, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; and Thursday, September 13, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. • All Access Pass Networking Breakfast – Start your day off right with our complimentary networking breakfast. What’s more, you’ll have an opportunity to mingle with fellow attendees. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., September 12 and 13. • Education Networking Lunch – After a full morning of education, why not take a break to recharge with a complimentary buffet lunch and do a bit of networking at the same time? Lunch will be served on September 11, 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. • Opening Reception – This must-attend event attracts the crème de le crème of the industry. If you’re truly interested in gaining face time with C-level decisionmakers, then the Opening Reception should be high on your agenda. The 2012 D2C Convention will also feature special events and areas, including: • Meet & Greet Lounge – Although the Show Floor doesn’t open until Wednesday, we invite you to the Meet & Greet Lounge – a quiet area to hold meetings and network with clients. Located in the Margaux Ballroom, the Lounge will be open September 10-11 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. • Women in Business Pavilion – Back by popular demand, the Women in Business Pavilion, located on the Show Floor, highlights the extraordinary achievements and contributions that women have given to the direct response industry. • E-Commerce Pavilion – Leading companies in this thriving space will showcase their product offerings and share the latest developments in e-commerce technology. • D2C Learning Lounge – Those who have little time to devote to a full day of education should stop by the D2C Learning Lounge for 12-minute or 30-minute sessions. You’ll walk away with valuable takeaways that won’t put a huge dent in your busy schedule. As you can see, ERA has set the stage for what’s certain to be a highly charged D2C Convention. For more information about the conference or to register, visit D2Cshow.org. And while our staff continues to put the finishing touches on the upcoming conference, the ERA Nominating Committee is hard at work reviewing the slate of nominees for the 2012-2013 Board of Directors and making certain that those selected for these coveted positions possess the qualities and strengths to carry this organization forward into the future. We will announce our newest Board Members in September.

This past May, I had the pleasure of speaking with many of you during the Government Affairs Fly-In, which was a rousing success. Not only did it give members an opportunity to see the legislative process in action, but it also allowed them to make their voices heard about critical issues affecting our industry such as counterfeit. During the session, “Protecting Your Company from Counterfeiters,” Annabelle DanielVarda of Google and Hillary Brill of eBay, graciously shared their programs for ensuring that brand holders’ rights are respected. Helping our members combat counterfeit is a priority of ERA. In addition, the ERA CEO Council continues its leadership on focusing on combating counterfeit by creating an ERA membership coalition to address this pernicious industry problem. Stay tuned for next steps, or for more information, please contact me at jcoons@retailing.org or Bill McClellan, ERA’s vice president of government affairs, at bmcclellan@retailing.org. Now that the Government Affairs Fly-In has passed, ERA staff members are diligently working on the 2012 ERA D2C Convention. With our annual conference just two months away, no doubt your schedule is quickly filling up. However, I strongly recommend reserving time for the many events and networking opportunities highlighted at this year’s conference. In addition, ERA’s All Access Pass is the best way to get the most out of the show. Here are some of the value-added benefits you’ll receive with an All Access Pass: • Education Day – On Tuesday, September 11, ERA will once again present a comprehensive education program devoted to best practices, case studies and panel discussions focused on the most critical issues affecting directto-consumer marketing professionals. We’ve assembled some of the industry’s leading experts to share their insights and provide valuable takeaways on a variety of topics. Attendees will have a chance to select from 11 different sessions, and marketing professionals new to the direct-response industry should attend the Direct Response 101 special session. It’s a great introductory course that addresses the intricacies of this thriving marketplace. • All Access Pass Networking Lounge – Networking is critical to your overall business. More importantly, ERA knows the importance of having a private and confined setting in which to conduct your business transactions. That’s why the All Access Pass Networking Lounge is the ideal environment for you and your clients – away from the noise and the crowds. Located right on the Show Floor, this exclusive networking area will be open

electronicRETAILER | July 2012

Electronic Retailer - July 2012

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