Comexposium – the renowned global event organiser that runs industry events under the iMedia banner in Australia, New Zealand, India and Japan – is expanding its hugely popular retail-focused event into Southeast Asia with the launch of iMedia Online Retail Summit Southeast Asia, from August 21-23.
The iMedia events have proven that rewriting the rule book for conference formats attracts the best of the best when it comes to industry leaders and high performers. Preparations for the August Retail Summit: Southeast Asia are well underway, and iMedia’s approach is meticulous. The unique yet diligent attendee screening will result in a delegation comprising the region’s top decision-makers and innovators coming together with an aspiration to shape the future of e-commerce.
“The calibre of attendees – comprising enterprise-level e-commerce leaders across Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and surrounds – will possess an intimate understanding of what truly works,” said group sales director for iMedia, Helena Stylman. “It’s ‘Chatham House Rules’, at these events with the aim to facilitate open and interactive discussions.”
As part of their screening, event organisers require prospective retail delegates to specify the technologies they are interested in exploring or investing in.
“Our focus categories include e-commerce sales and advertising technology, customer service and CRM, data information technology, marketing and communication and, of course, logistics and supply chain. The comprehensive screening ensures that we bring together the right partners in the room,” said Sonia Sutherland, Comexposium’s head of delegates for Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
More than 70 esteemed retailers will accompany 70 or more of the region’s top-performing technology and solutions vendors – all of which offer a diverse range of cutting-edge tech services, and solutions ideal for major retailers. It’s a synergistic ecosystem where innovation thrives.
This iMedia approach is clearly working. Last year one of iMedia’s Australian-based retail events catering to fast-growing, digitally-led retailers and marketplaces scored a remarkable net promotion score of 80 per cent.
“That score reflected delegates’ satisfaction with achieving what they wanted from the event”, said Stylman. “According to Qualtrics, the global research firm, an NPS score of 50 per cent is ‘excellent’, and an NPS of 80 per cent is deemed ‘world class’.”
One of the summit’s program highlights is iMedia’s “Business Connect” – a corporate version of speed-dating, where executives and suppliers are matched for 10-minute meet-and-greets based on the services and interests the enterprise retailers expressed an interest in prior to the event.
Gone are the days of aimlessly wandering trade show floors or enduring tedious sales pitches. This careful curation of the audience ensures that more focused, productive and meaningful conversations are had.
“We want retailers to experience the true essence of connection and collaboration, free from the typical sales environment. It’s an atmosphere that cultivates genuine relationships, thus propelling the industry forward,” said Sutherland.
As far as content and presentations are concerned, the quality assurance is as high as the attendee screening. A mix of local and global speakers, industry expert panels, breakouts and fireside presentations are all squeezed into a busy agenda with organisers requiring pre-clearance, as well as offering guidance according to feedback presented and shared via the event’s advisory board of respected Southeast Asian industry representatives.
The selection process for retail delegates for the iMedia Retail Summit: Southeast Asia is already underway, and those who register their interest to attend will be reviewed and notified if successful with an exclusive retail delegate invitation to attend. Professionals representing technology, solutions or service agencies are categorised as networkers and can apply for a networker pass to rub shoulders with these elite retailers.
