Electronic Retailing Association Spring Conference & Trade EXPO Attracts Largest Audience Ever
Thirteenth Annual ERA Spring Conference & Trade EXPO’s Diversified Audience Reflects Trend of Industry Integration Within DRTV, Online & Direct Response Radio Arenas
WASHINGTON, DC (February 10, 2004)—The Electronic Retailing Association, the trade association for major companies who use the power of electronic media to sell goods and services to the public, attracted a record 635 attendees to its Spring Conference & Trade EXPO held February 1-3 at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne, FL.
The 635 attendees, eclipsing last year’s audience by more than 10 percent, included global leaders in the direct response television, radio and online marketing industries, ranging from enterprising entrepreneurs to forward-thinking Fortune 500 marketers. This diverse group also was given the opportunity to share ideas about new technologies and multi-channel methods of reaching direct response consumers at a sold out Exposition with over 21 new companies. This year’s Trade EXPO topped 40 exceptional exhibitors and included such powerhouse companies as Premier Solutions, Livemercial, Ronco Inventions and West Corporation.
Attendees from across the globe came to the Spring Conference from 37 different countries, including the entire team of the Home Shopping Service, one of the largest live shopping companies in Europe. Additionally, leading companies from radio marketing, including Salem Radio Network which represents over 1400 stations nationwide, attended the conference and participated in ERA’s Radio Information Pavilion on direct response radio advertising. Other notable companies such as Discovery Communications, Lifetime Television, Proctor & Gamble and Time Life International also attended the conference and experienced exceptional educational sessions and networking opportunities.
The conference also focused on the growing Hispanic market segment, providing attendees with advice and solutions on how to maximize marketing outreach to our country’s largest and fastest growing minority. Speakers such as Luis Lauredo, Executive Director of the Free Trade of the Americas, addressed the audience with details on the FTAA’s unprecedented initiative to allow Latin American counties the ability to ship goods free of import duties.
Lastly, as compliance and ethical business practice is a serious concern within the highly regulated electronic retailing industry, ERA detailed its plans regarding the creation of a powerful Self Regulation Program. The self regulation plans were met with enthusiasm from an industry focused on maintaining a high level of consumer confidence.
“The Spring Conference reflected ERA’s efforts to unite the industry under the ultimate goal of providing consumers with a convenient, efficient and safe marketplace to purchase a wide variety of goods and services,” said Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO of the ERA. “We look forward to continuously expanding our reach into all mediums of the direct response marketing universe including television, radio and the Internet,” she added.
ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC RETAILING ASSOCIATION
The Washington DC-based Electronic Retailing Association is the trade association for major companies who use the power of electronic media to sell goods and services to the public. The purpose of ERA is to foster the growth, development and acceptance of the rapidly growing electronic retailing industry worldwide. Its membership—direct response and electronic retailing companies and their suppliers—is involved in multi-channel electronic marketing including infomercials and short-form commercials, live shopping channels, the Internet, radio and convergence.
Contacts:
SSA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Los Angeles:
Steve Syatt
818-501-0700
New York:
Mike Rudnick
212-679-4750
ERA STAFF LIAISION
Washington, DC:
Molly Alton
703-908-1020
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