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1-2 May 2019 | Olympia London
Call for Papers Submission Guidance
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Contents Key Dates for Submissions ...................................................................................................................... 3
The 2019 Retail Expo................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Content Stages ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Marketing & Branding Stage ............................................................................................................... 6
Store Design & Experience Stage ........................................................................................................ 6
Payments Stage ................................................................................................................................... 7
Operations Stage ................................................................................................................................. 7
TrIED It Talks ........................................................................................................................................... 8
What are Conference Attendees Looking for? ....................................................................................... 9
What Should You Avoid?......................................................................................................................... 9
Selection Criteria ................................................................................................................................... 10
How are the Talks Reviewed and Selected? ......................................................................................... 11
Six Top Tips for Success ......................................................................................................................... 12
The Small Print ...................................................................................................................................... 14
How to Complete the Submission Form ............................................................................................... 15
Submission Checklist ............................................................................................................................. 16
FAQs At-A-Glance .................................................................................................................................. 17
Additional Speaking Opportunities at the Retail Expo 2019 ................................................................. 18
Contact .................................................................................................................................................. 18
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Key Dates for Submissions
Submissions open: Wednesday 3 October 2018
Submission deadline: 12:00pm GMT Friday 30 November 2018
Submissions reviewed: December 2018/January 2019
Successful/unsuccessful submitters notified: Friday 15 February 2019
There is no cost to submit or speak in these theatres through the Call for Papers process. There is no guarantee that your submissions will be accepted.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
RBTE / RDE / RDSE 2019 Calling all retailers, retail vendors, service and solution providers, marketing and design agencies, tech and IT providers, consultants, shop fitters, architectural services, analysts, researchers, academics and more… The retail industry is transforming – emerging technologies are changing how we connect and engage with the world around us, and consumer behaviours and demands are rapidly shifting. But these turbulent times also present opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves and stand a cut above the rest. Retailers and brands are looking for inspiration, innovation, and in some cases reinvention. RBTE / RDE / RDSE 2019 will feature 100+ high profile speakers and thought-leaders, such as retail CxOs, retail experts, industry disruptors and cutting-edge start-ups. The programme will showcase the latest innovations in retail design, technology and strategy that are helping organisations improve customer engagement, experience and loyalty, and ultimately increase their bottom line. This is an event for the retail industry, by the retail industry, so we need your help. There are a number of opportunities to share your wisdom and expertise in 2019. There are two options for Call for Papers speaking opportunities
OR
All Call for Papers submissions by vendors/service providers must bring an end-user client (retailer, brand, hospitality/leisure provider etc.) client to present on their behalf or for a joint presentation.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Content Stages
The programme will feature four stages focussing on different parts of the customer journey. These Content Stages will feature a mixture of strategic talks and case studies, blue-sky concepts and practical ideas – providing both inspiration and clear takeaways for attendees. The Content Stages will feature a series of sessions on the key themes and challenges currently facing the retail industry. Speakers will challenge current assumptions, share practical experiences, and present novel ideas and perspectives on industry challenges or issues. Presentations could involve case studies on completed or in-progress projects, fresh viewpoints on compelling topics, and consideration on the evolution of the industry and potential real-world impacts. A variety of session formats will encourage lively debate, critical reflection on pressing industry questions, and provoke the audience to think outside of the box. Sessions should act as a mechanism for moving the industry forward. There are four content stages to choose from:
Marketing & Branding Stage
Store Design & Experience Stage
Payments Stage
Operations Stage Talk length and Format Talk Length: 30 minutes (including Q&A) All Call for Papers submissions by vendors/service providers must bring an end-user client (retailer, brand, hospitality/leisure provider etc.) client to present on their behalf or for a joint presentation.
Marketing & Branding Stage Connecting and engaging with your customers to drive awareness, generate sales, and build loyalty The Marketing & Branding Stage will look at how retailers and brands reach and connect with their audience, and create engaging and authentic brand stories. Topic Areas Topics areas of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:
Omnichannel
Customer Engagement
Data, analytics, AI
Personalisation & Relevance
Brand design
Brand storytelling
Shopper marketing
POP
Shopper behaviour
eCommerce, mCommerce, sCommerce
Social media
Loyalty
Mobile apps
Voice technologies
Communities
Influencers, advocates
Reputation management
Digital Signage Target Audience This stage will provide insights for professionals with job functions including, but not limited to:
Marketing
Branding
Shopper marketing
Retail
Creative
Omnichannel
eCommerce
Customer experience
Communications
PR
Digital
Customer insights
Data
Store Design & Experience Stage Harnessing the power of design and technology to create inspiring retail experiences The Store Design & Experience Stage will examine how retailers need to adapt brick and motor stores to meet new consumer demands. Topic Areas Topics areas of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:
Store design
New store concepts/formats
Visual Merchandising
Window displays
Shopper Behaviour
Customer Journeys
Brand storytelling
Experiential
Online to offline
Mobile apps
Digital signage, smart mirrors
Immersive technologies
VR/AR/MR
Staff/customer service
Customer service robots
Target Audience This stage will provide insights for professionals with job functions including, but not limited to:
Retail Director
Marketing
Design
VM
Shop fitting
Architect
Creative
Customer Experience
In-store technology
Store planning/ development
Interior design
Payments Stage Diverse, Convenient, Frictionless - Shaping the future of retail payments The Payments Stage will explore the latest in payment methods, in-store and online payment technologies, and innovations enabling convenient and frictionless transactions. Topic Areas Topics areas of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:
In-store payments
Omnichannel payments
Alternative payment methods
Cashless
Blockchain, cryptocurrency
eCommerce
Fraud, security, trust
Gift cards
Loyalty
Predictive purchasing
Regulations
Data
Apps
Mobile wallets
Biometrics
FinTech Target Audience This stage will provide insights for professionals with job functions including, but not limited to:
COO, CFO, CISO
Payments
IT
Technology
Cyber security
eCommerce
Finance
Operations Stage Creating a seamless customer experience through operational excellence The Operations Stage will examine new technologies and solutions helping retailers to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, increase profits, and enhance customer experience. Topic Areas Topics areas of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:
Staffing, training, e-learning
Logistics & supply chain
Warehouse management
Stock/loss control
Automation, robotics
RFID
Delivery
Click & collect
Returns
Inventory, Fulfilment
IoT
AI, analytics
Drones
Cloud
Electric and driverless cars
Transparency
3D printing
Cross border
Security
Target Audience This stage will provide insights for professionals with job functions including, but not limited to:
COO, CFO, CIO
IT
Technology
Operations
Logistics
Supply chain
Stock/loss control
Fulfilment
Security
eCommerce
Retail Director
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
TrIED It Talks The TrIED It Talks are a series bite-size, inspirational presentations addressing the latest challenges in retail technology, design and customer experience, and providing fresh inspiration and ideas. Speakers will share up-to-the minute insight, knowledge and best practice. New for 2019, the TrIED It Talks will form a key part of the Retail conference programme. The Talks examine the practical aspects of executing and implementing new design and technology innovations, and provide access to industry expertise and knowledge that attendees can take back and apply to their organisations. Speakers will be encouraged to provide real world applications and concrete examples of how the solution(s) has been or could be implemented, so that the audience can better understand the business case and how it can be transferred to their business. Talk length and Format Talk Length: 25 minutes (including Q&A) Presentations could involve:
A case study on a completed or in-progress project
A new tech/design innovation with a number of case studies to show examples of real-world application
A new tech/design innovation with clear industry use cases and proof of concepts Novel and interesting research with clear use cases and practical outcomes
Live demonstrations where applicable It is key that these talks demonstrate:
Real-world impacts
How the solution/knowledge can be applied and implemented
Business case for the solution Topic Areas The TrIED It Talks will be suitable to more specialised, focussed or niche topics including, but not limited to:
AI, ML, analytics
Robotics
Digital signage
Blockchain
3D printing
Voice
RFID
eCommerce
Mannequins
Lighting
Music
Aromas
Fixtures and fittings
Surfaces
Print signage and graphics
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Dos & Don’ts What are Conference Attendees Looking for?
Innovation and originality
Case studies and best-practice
Solutions to difficult problems and challenges
A new approach to a common task/challenge
Real-life, practical experience and lessons learned
How to sessions: Learning and practical advice they can apply directly to their jobs
Speakers who are senior industry experts and thought-leaders, and/or subject matter experts
End-user speakers who can share their practical experience
New insight and expertise What Should You Avoid?
Sales, product and service pitches
Inappropriate speakers e.g. business development, sales and marketing (vendor only) practitioners.
Generic, unoriginal content that can be easily accessed on the internet or via other information sources
Material that has been presented previously at other conferences and events
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Selection Criteria Talks are rated on three key criteria: 1. Content quality, topicality and relevance
The content should be highly relevant and focused on current and emerging developments and trends in retail, and provide new and innovative perspectives and solutions (not product based) to key challenges. Best-practice case studies providing practical takeaways are very well received.
2. Value/benefit to the attendees
The presentation should provide actionable insight by providing strategic knowledge, practical expertise and learning that attendees can apply directly to their jobs regardless of whether they purchase a particular product. There must be clear learning outcomes and benefits to the delegate of attending this session.
3. Speaker credentials
All vendors/service providers must bring an end-user client (retailer, brand, hospitality/leisure provider etc) client to present on their behalf or for a joint presentation. The speakers should be business experts such as CxOs, Retail Directors and/or subject-matter experts such as Creative Director, Head of Visual Merchandising, Vice President of IT, or Manager of Global Logistics. Speakers should not be sales, marketing (vendor only) and business development practitioners. Marketing representatives from end-user clients will be considered where relevant.
Remember: Keep the delegate at the heart of your submission. Think about what will benefit them and help them to solve current retail challenges. How will your presentation help the delegates to improve customer experience, generate ROI, and do their job better?
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
How are the Talks Reviewed and Selected? The submissions are reviewed by the content and editorial teams to ensure that the presentations that offer the greatest value and benefit to the delegates are selected. The review process takes place in the following stages. Stage 1
Incomplete submissions and sales/product/service pitches are eliminated from the process (Please note that if you do not provide full contact details for the speakers this will be classed as incomplete).
Stage 2
Submissions are reviewed by the Retail content and editorial teams. Stage 3
We will contact you via email to let you know whether your submission has been successful or unsuccessful.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Six Top Tips for Success 1. Select the right topic
The topic should be new and emerging, or provide a fresh perspective/new angle on how to solve an existing challenge. If the topic is in the news now, will it still be timely when RBTE / RDE / RDSE 2019 takes place?
2. Select the right speaker
All vendors/service providers must bring an end-user client (retailer, brand, hospitality/leisure provider etc) client to present on their behalf or for a joint presentation.
Speakers should be industry experts with personal experience of dealing with the challenges addressed in the presentation, who can share practical insight that delegates can apply to their organisation.
Sales, marketing (vendor only), and business development professionals will not be accepted as speakers. Marketing representatives from end-user clients will be considered where relevant.
3. No sales pitches
Delegates are looking for presentations by industry experts not sales, marketing (vendor only), and business development professionals.
For the TrIED IT Talks, delegates are eager to hear subject-matter experts who can share their experiences and expertise and drill down into the topic.
Product and service pitches are badly received by delegates and presenting a thinly disguised sales pitch is detrimental to your brand. The talks are an opportunity to demonstrate your industry expertise and thought-leadership by providing knowledge, advice and solutions that are not product/service related.
IMPORTANT: Submissions that are sales orientated and/or feature sales, marketing (vendor only), and business development speakers will not be accepted. Marketing representatives from end-user clients will be considered where relevant.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE 4. Be innovative, creative and original
The delegates are looking for innovation, original content and solutions. Submissions that meet this need will be well received by the content and editorial teams.
Remember we will receive a high number of submissions covering popular hot topics. To be successful you need to develop a fresh and innovative perspective on the topic. Make sure you differentiate your submission from the competition.
Share your enthusiasm and passion for the topic in the submission.
Think about different formats to present the information eg. Rapid debate, 20 key questions, 5 top tips.
5. Tailor the talk to the audience
Ensure you tailor the talk to the delegates who will attend the session.
Think about your target audience, and the level of expertise.
Make sure your talk is not too generic. 6. Provide actionable insight and tangible learning outcomes
The delegates are looking for ‘Actionable Insight’ – ideas, practical knowledge and best-practice examples that will help them to solve the challenges they are facing.
They should be able to apply this insight directly to their role and organisation. The presentation should provide 3-4 key takeaways that the attendee can apply to their own organisation and role.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
The Small Print
There is no guarantee that any of your submissions will be successful.
All Call for Papers submissions by vendors/service providers must bring an end-user client (retailer, brand, hospitality/leisure provider etc.) client to present on their behalf or for a joint presentation.
Speaker changes o If your organisation’s speaker is no longer able to participate, they must be replaced
with a representative of similar or higher seniority. Sales, marketing and business development job titles will not be accepted.
o If your client speaker is no longer able to participate, they must be replaced with a representative from the same or another equivalent client. If the client speaker cannot be replaced, your sessions will be removed from the agenda and your slot given to the next speaker on the waiting list.
Each company can submit a maximum of three proposals.
A maximum of one submission per company can be accepted for the final programme.
If your submission is accepted, the Content Manager reserves the right to edit your title and outline for style, consistency and accuracy.
The Content Manager will allocate the timing of the talks – speakers are not able to request a specific timeslot for their session.
PLEASE READ THE FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS HERE
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
How to Complete the Submission Form If you are making a submission on behalf of a speaker, please ensure that you have checked that the speaker(s) is/are available before you make the submission. We will contact the speakers directly as soon as a submission has been successful. If the proposed speaker is not available, you will not be able to submit a replacement. If you make a submission, we assume that the speaker is available to participate. Section 1: Your details
The main contact person from your organisation we will liaise with regarding the submission. Section 2: Logistics contact details
The person from your organisation who will co-ordinate the presentation in the run-up to the event (if different from the above).
Section 3: Seminar details
Provide as much depth as possible and use the full word limit.
Ensure that the title of the session clearly shows what the session will cover and ensure the title highlights the benefits of the session for the audience.
Provide an interesting, engaging and informative outline of the session. Section 4: Speaker details
Full contact details are required for the speakers. If you do not provide direct contact details for the speaker(s) it will be assumed that the speaker has not consented to participate and the submission will not be considered.
We will not accept changes to speakers once the submission has been accepted.
We will contact the speaker directly if the submission is successful. Section 5: Additional details
This information will help us to market your seminar if successful.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Submission Checklist Make sure your submission includes all the key information to give it the best chance of success.
Action Checked
Is your submission form fully completed? Please ensure you provide full, direct contact details for your speakers – it is important that we are able to contact them directly.
Does the title reflect the content of the talk and demonstrate the benefit to delegates of attending?
Is your content a sales pitch? If so, you need to change it.
Are there clear, practical benefits to the delegates of attending your talk? Does the talk provide actionable, applicable insight?
Does your talk share real life experience and practical case studies?
Is the topic of your talk new and emerging, and/or provide a fresh perspective/new angle on an existing topic?
Are your speakers senior business and subject-matter experts? Sales, marketing (vendor only), and business development speakers will not be accepted. Marketing representatives from end-user clients will be considered where relevant.
If you are not the speaker, are you sure your proposed speaker(s) is/are available for the event?
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
FAQs At-A-Glance Who can make a submission? Any company can make a submission. How many submissions can I make? Companies can make up to 3 submissions each (across Stages and TrIED It Talks). Can the Talk be a product or service sales pitch? No. Sales orientated presentations will not be accepted. Who do the delegates want to hear presented at the Content Stages and TrIED It Talks? The speakers must be business and subject matter experts and not sales, marketing (vendor only) and business development practitioners. Delegates want to hear from industry experts with personal experience of dealing with the challenges addressed in the presentation, who can share practical insight that delegates can apply to their organisation. How long is the session? Content Stages – 30 minutes including Q&A TrIED It Talks – 25 minutes including Q&A Can you explain the review and selection process? The submissions are reviewed by the content and editorial teams to ensure that the presentations that offer the greatest value to the delegates are selected.
CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE
Additional Speaking Opportunities at RBTE / RDE / RDSE 2019 Due to a limited number of speaker slots, some companies will be unsuccessful in the Call for Papers process. There are numerous other opportunities to get involved in the RBTE / RDE / RDSE Conference. To find out more about these please contact: Paul Stone Head of Sales E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)20 8910 7810
Contact Should you have any questions about the Conference Programme and submission process please contact: Emily Impey Content Manager, Retail Group E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)20 7439 8911