I just stepped into the way-back machine and realized that this the 12th event where I have helped plan content for Shop.org events.  Even though every event is special in it’s own way, I may be the most excited about the agenda at the upcoming Strategy and Innovation Forum.   Artemis and I have worked hard to not only gear the content towards our senior level/executive audience,  but also to help our members navigate the recession to find opportunities for growth and success.  Especially in eCommerce it CAN be done, it IS being done, and this is exactly the time for Shop.org to shine.

We have numerous new speakers (Bob Thacker, SVP Office Max, Alfred Lin, COO Zappos, Bradford Matson, CMO, Bluefly), returning favorites (Avinash Kaushik Analytics Evangelist, John Squire, Chief Strategy Officer CoreMetrics, Sam Taylor, CEO Oriental Trading Company), and many networking opportunities including our newcomers reception, Opening Night Reception and Dinner on Monday, Vendor Retailer Case Study Roundtables, and Birds of a Feather Roundtables in the EXPO Hall. 

We are covering numerous innovative topics such as how consumer behavior will change during the economic recovery and what retailers needs to do about it today, disruptive business models for the new consumer, the eCommerce platform of the future, how international expansion can stimulate growth, and case studies showing how innovative retailers can be even in a recession.

I am especially excited for our new Innovation Contest presentation at the end of the day on Tuesday and I wanted to congratulate our winners which include Bazaarvoice, Richrelevance, SLI Systems, Vcommerce, and Ordermotion.  

For everyone coming, I am excited to see you in Orlando.  For everyone who could not make it, please follow our live blogging, Twitter Feeds, and drop me an email after the event, and while it will not be the same, we can share some presentations and talk about what you missed.  

Thanks!

Larry Joseloff

VP, Content, Shop.org