Thoughts from opening receptions at Shop.org Summit

The first night of Shop.org with the cocktail reception in the exhibitor area was good. Familiar faces dating to 1999/2000 Shop.org meetings were still there, though many wearing the badges of different companies than then. It seemed like the mood was upbeat among those I had conversations with, but maybe just a bit cautious too. I heard less about rebuilding entire platforms and struggling to get basics in place, so as a vendor of a “nice to have” service, it sounded more promising.

I did see interest and an audience around a virtual touchscreen clothing demo with a bit of space age feeling, and chatted at the Amazon after-party with representatives of a company doing the click-to-buy technology from images online. Things talked about years ago and maybe prototyped, but possibly close to viable now? Not as many new things to wonder if they are too early or will be around a year from now as the early 2000s, but still fun to see innovation. I look forward to hearing the panel discussions tomorrow and Wednesday.