Platt Retail Institute will present a Retailer Education Forum in conjunction with Digital Signage Expo next year in Las Vegas.

The Forum will take place on March 6, 2012, from 11:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.

“PRI’s 2012 Retailer Education Forum will  provide attendees with  unique insights into multi-channel marketing, how leading retailers are leveraging in-store technologies, and how to position and sell digital marketing messages to brands.  Retail thought leaders will conduct an interactive case  study  learning session.  A  retail  case study and presentation on retail developments in the EU  will help attendees understand how the medium is being deployed  globally. PRI will present the Forum, along with  many noteworthy guest speakers.”

Speakers
Algernon E. Callier, VP, Strategic Innovation & Emerging Technology, Universal Orlando Resort
Dave Finnegan, CIO, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Tim Johnson, Consumer IT and Strategic Innovation, AT&T Stores
Margaret M. Mager, Broadview Advisors, formerly Senior Advisor, Corporate Strategy, Planning
and Research, Liz Claiborne and Retail Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Raj Maini, Director of Digital Signage Marketing, Intel
Margot Myers, Director, Education and Training, Platt Retail Institute
Dan Pryor, VP of Corporate Communications, Safeway
Frank Rehme, POPAI Germany and Head of Innovation Services, Metro Systems GmbH
Brian Roberts, Director, In Store Channels Media Network, Best Buy
Jack Sullivan, Senior VP, Out-of-Home Activation Director, Starcom Worldwide
Barton A. Weitz,  Ph.D.,  JCPenney Eminent Scholar Chair in Retail Management, University of Florida

Session Descriptions
I. Cross Channel Retailing
Presenters: Algernon E. Callier, Universal Orlando Resort and Dave Finnegan, Build-A-Bear Workshop

Description: Communicating  consistent, brand-compliant  customer engagement strategies by various digital media (Web, on-site screens, and mobile devices) is critical to a consistent customer experience. In this session, attendees will learn how  to ensure a  uniform, engaging  message  strategy  throughout the communication process.

II. Retail Case Studies
Presenter: Raj Maini, Intel

Description: Retailers are using  various technologies  to successfully influence the customer.  In this session, various retail case studies will be presented that detail the specific technologies being deployed and metrics utilized to measure success.

III. Leveraging In-store Technology
Presenters: Tim Johnson, AT&T Stores and Dan Pryor, Safeway

Description: Digital technologies are being deployed in  various ways in-store. These include digital signage, kiosks, handheld and interactive devices. In this session, attendees will learn how these
technologies are being successfully deployed to achieve measurable results.

IV. Interactive Case Learning Session
Moderator: Dr. Barton A. Weitz, University of Florida
Panelists: Margaret M. Mager, Broadview Advisors and Margot Myers, Platt Retail Institute

Description: Prior to the  Forum, a detailed retailer  profile  will be  distributed to all attendees. This hypothetical retailer is facing various challenges including how to communicate its brand in its stores, how to enhance its customer experience, how to increase lift, and how to impact the consumer along the entire path-to-purchase, among other things. The moderator, the leading retail marketing professor in the U.S., and  the  panelists will advance various solutions for consideration. Attendee  participation is welcome. This will be a lively session, where many options will be explored and solutions advanced.

V. EU Retail Trends
Presenter: Frank Rehme, POPAI Germany and Metro Systems

Description: Various  retailers in the EU are deploying  unique solutions in their stores. In this session, attendees will learn  firsthand what some of these leading retailers are  doing inside their stores and the level of success that they are achieving.

VI. Selling Digital Signage Retail Media Channels
Presenters: Brian Roberts, Best Buy and Jack Sullivan, Starcom Worldwide

Description: Digital signage content programming can be a complex issue. Should promotional, branding, store information, how-to instructions, etc. be utilized? And how interested are brands in paying for instore messaging? These and related issues will be explored during this session.

Registration
Retailers and other qualified end users may reserve a seat at the Forum for a reduced rate of $95.

End users are defined as representatives of companies or organizations that have deployed or are considering deploying digital signage. End users may include representatives of facilities such as hospitals, universities, airports, museums, banks, hotels, government agencies, corporate offices, etc. Retailers are a subset of end users and typically represent department stores, discount stores, convenience stores, and other similar businesses.

The fee for all attendees who are not retailers or end users is  $195 before February 15, 2012, and $250 after February 15, 2012.

For additional information, please contact PRI at: contact@plattretailinstitute.org.