What's the schedule for the Summit?
The Shop.org Annual Summit kicks off on Monday morning (Sept. 21) with an Online Retail Boot Camp.  Monday evening is the official opening of the Summit, with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Summit sessions will take place on Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23. The detailed agenda has the full session information. 

How much does it cost to attend?
See the pricing grid for event registration fees, based on retailer/non-retailer status and member/non-member status. Shop.org retail member companies can claim one free pass by the August 31 Free Pass Deadline. Additional passes can be purchased at the prevailing rate depending upon your company type and membership level.

How do I get to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino?
The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is located on the South end of the Vegas strip and is convenient from the Las Vegas McCarran Airport (15 minutes or 5 miles).  For directions, please visit our hotel information page.

Who attends the Annual Summit?
The Summit is our largest and most important event, attracting a wide swath of Internet and multichannel retail leaders from all sorts of companies - large and small. Attendees include executives (managers, directors, VPs) who manage their company's direct and online channels with decision-making and management responsibilities at their respective companies. Other attendees include industry analysts, consultants, solution providers, and members of the press. If you are in this business, the Annual Summit is a must-attend.

How can my company sponsor or exhibit at the Summit?
Contact Stacy Cornell at cornells@shop.org or 434.326.5740 if you would like more information on how to sponsor a Shop.org event.

How can I get a copy of the press list for the Annual Summit?
The press list is an exclusive benefit for exhibitors and sponsors. If your company is sponsoring or exhibiting at the Annual Summit and you would like a copy of the press list, please contact Kathy Grannis at grannisk@nrf.com or 202.626.8189. 

What do I wear?
Business and business casual attire are both acceptable for the event.

Maybe you’ve wondered how we come up with the content for our events…or perhaps you’ve been thinking that you should get up on stage to share your know-how with your eCommerce colleagues. For anyone who is interested in the process of how we at Shop.org go about finding topics and speakers for our events, here is a FAQ that might help.

How does Shop.org choose the topics for its presentations?
How does Shop.org choose its speakers? 
Is there a formal process for submitting an idea for a session or for proposing a speaker?
Who can speak at a Shop.org event?
Do you have to be a retailer to speak at a Shop.org event?
How does Shop.org ensure that speakers don't use their presentations as a sales pitch?

How does Shop.org choose the topics for its presentations?

We ask a lot of questions! We talk to Shop.org members, we work with the Shop.org Content Committee, we read industry publications, we even send out online surveys to our members. We try hard to deliver content that helps you do a better job, no matter what you do in the world of e-commerce. Presentations can range from keynotes meant to inspire and challenge all of us in this industry, to very practical, tactical discussions with practitioners who have learned from their years in e-commerce and who share their experience and advice. If there is a topic you’d like us include in an upcoming Shop.org event, don’t hesitate to email or call Artemis Ebneyousef, Content Manager at ebneyousefa@shop.org or 202 626-8118.

How does Shop.org choose its speakers?

We are fortunate to know many experienced and accomplished e-commerce professionals, many of whom are extraordinarily generous with their time. We often reach out to these folks to help us: either to brainstorm about content or to actually participate in an event as a speaker. But we learn about great speakers from Shop.org members, from our Board of Directors, and from attending events in other industries. We try hard to find speakers from within the Shop.org membership—both our retail and associate members—because we know how many talented folks are part of Shop.org.

Is there a formal process for submitting an idea for a session or for proposing a speaker?

We have no formal process, and we no longer do calls for speakers/presentations. If you have an idea for content you’d like to see presented at an event, the best way to let us know about it is to send us an email. When you email us, please let us know about the topic you are interested in, and whether you, yourself, would like to be a speaker. If you are with a PR firm and want to find a speaking opportunity for a client, please be sure to include the following in your email:
• Your name and contact information
• The name and brief bio of your client
• The topic or topics your client can speak about
We will reply to all inquiries as quickly as possible, and we will let you know whether or not we are able to use your suggestions in an upcoming Shop.org event.
Please Note: We are not currently accepting any more applications for the 2009 Shop.org Annual Summit

Who can speak at a Shop.org event?

We draw from a wide range of professionals to speak at our events. Though we love having our members speak, we also tap into the wider business community and invite CEO’s, authors, academics, analysts, and others. If we think that someone has something to say to our community—something that will instruct, challenge, inspire, or encourage—we will try to get that person to speak for us.

Do you have to be a retailer to speak at a Shop.org event?

Anyone who can help teach, encourage, and inform our membership can speak at our events. Retailers have a lot to say about their experiences and can be great speakers. But our associate members have a lot to share, too. They are often subject matter experts with years of expertise, and they can provide insights and advice that many of our attendees find invaluable. Many of these associate members have also worked in retail at some point in their careers, making them doubly qualified to be effective presenters.

How does Shop.org ensure that speakers don’t use their presentations to make a sales pitch?

We work with all of our speakers ahead of time, reviewing their presentations and talking to them about what they will say. We also hand out feedback forms after every presentation. And we sit in the audience for every presentation. If we hear a pitch, or if an audience member feels that the presenter was “selling,” we would be extremely reluctant to ask the speaker back again. 

How do I register?
Register online. If you have questions about registration, please call 708.486.0709 or email us at summit09@shop.org.

What are the onsite registration hours? 
Registration will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino at the Bayside B- South Convention Center Level 1: 

Monday, September 21 - 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. 
 Tuesday, September 22 - 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
 Wednesday, September 23 - 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

What are the Registration Policies? 

1. This registration category applies to current Shop.org RETAIL members in good standing. A Shop.org member in good standing is defined as a company whose membership has not expired before September 23, 2009.
2. Shop.org 2009 Annual Summit registration will not be processed without FULL PAYMENT.
3. Badges and credentials will be available for pick up onsite at the registration area during hours of operation. Please print your e-confirmation and bring it onsite to expedite this process. Be prepared to show identification in order to pick up your badge and credentials.
4. Transfer or substitution of a pass to a colleague from the SAME RETAIL MEMBER COMPANY as the original pass holder can be made online through the link provided in your e-confirmation. Registrations and badges cannot be shared among attendees and transfers and substitutions cannot be made once a pass holder has checked into the event. This includes the reception and dinner events. To request a transfer or substitution, send an email by September 21, 2009 to summit09@compusystems.com.
5. SEPTEMBER 14 CANCELLATION DEADLINE: To receive a full refund, cancellation requests must be received at summit09@compusystems.com no later than September 14, 2009.
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FREE PASS HOLDERS: Persons who register for a FREE PASS but do not sign in onsite, transfer or cancel their registration will be assessed a $325 “no show” fee to help offset costs incurred by Shop.org based on expected attendance. All other attendees who were charged for registration but do not sign in, transfer or cancel their registration prior to the above deadline will not receive a refund.
7. Registrants are responsible for their hotel and travel accommodations.
8. Registration will be accepted onsite if space is available.
9. Final details about the Shop.org 2009 Annual Summit networking events and registration hours will be available online no later than September 1.

Can I register onsite?
Yes, but we recommend that you register in advance to take advantage of discounted rates and to ensure that you secure a seat. Our events o fill up quickly. 

Where/when can I pick up my badge?
Badges will be available for pick up onsite at the designated registration area during hours of operation. Please print your e-confirmation and bring it onsite to expedite this process. Your e-confirmation has a barcode which allows us to pull up your registration information more quickly onsite. Be prepared to show some form of identification in order to pick up your badge and credentials.

How can I get a receipt for my registration?
Upon completion of registration, a confirmation letter is sent to the email address provided by the registrant. If you have not received an e-confirmation, please call 708.486.0709 or email summit09@compusystems.com.

What if I can't attend after I have registered for the event?
For anyone who is unable to attend and cannot transfer your pass, then a written cancellation notice to memberevents@shop.org is required. A full refund will be issued for cancellation notices sent prior to the September 8th cancellation deadline.

For anyone who is unable to attend and cannot transfer your pass, then a written cancellation notice to Summit09@compusystems.com is required. A full refund will be issued for cancellation notices sent prior to the September 14th cancellation deadline.

Anyone who registered for a free full conference pass and cannot attend will need to cancel or transfer their pass to a co-worker prior to the event date. If you cannot attend and do not cancel formally, in writing to summit09@compusystems.com prior to September 14th, or transfer your pass, you will not receive a refund. For Shop.org retail Members who receive a free pass and do not transfer or cancel in time, you will be assessed a $325 no-show fee. 

Any attendee, who wishes to transfer a pass, must follow this procedure:

 A transfer may be completed online by clicking "Direct Modify Link" within the body of the original registrant's emailed confirmation letter.

 If the transfer must take place onsite, then the substitute registrant should bring the e-confirmation issued to the original registrant.

 Transfers and substitutions cannot be made once the pass holder has checked in to the event or sub-event.

Yes, members of the press receive complimentary admission to the Shop.org Annual Summit. Register via the link below and select Shop.org Annual Summit 2009 from the event list: http://www.nrf.com/press/PressRegistrationForm.asp.

If you do not qualify as a member of the press (e.g., reporter, editor), an analyst, or blogger , please visit the Summit Registration page for conference rates . For more information about press at Shop.org events, contact Kathy Grannis at 202.626.8189 or grannisk@nrf.com

We are confident that retailers attending Shop.org events will acquire valuable strategies and tactics to improve their online and multichannel retail business. If not, let us know and we'll refund your registration fee.

Contact Stacy Cornell at cornells@shop.org or call 434.326.5740. 
Download the prospectus, including current sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.

Listen to the Voices of Shop.org Attendees
We'll tell you it is the one-of-a-kind networking, innovative and engaging education, and access to state-of-the-art technologies but it sounds better when it comes from them. Watch this short clip.

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