Call for Papers Submission Guidance - RetailEXPO€¦ · CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE Key...

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


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.


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.


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


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


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


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?


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.


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.


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


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.


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?


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.


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

Call for Papers Submission Guidance - RetailEXPO€¦ · CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSION GUIDANCE Key...

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