FAQs
General • Speakers • Exhibitors/Sponsors
General FAQs:
Where and when is the IDEA E-Biz Forum 2010?
The 2010 Forum will be held in Dallas, Texas on September 20-22, 2010.
What is the expected attendance?
Expected attendance is between 200-250 people.
What is the dress code?
Business casual attire is recommended for attendees and business professional attire is required for presenters.
What is included in my registration fee?
Your registration fee includes access to all conference activities, scheduled meals, social functions and conference program materials.
Do you have daily rates?
No. Our standard registration fee includes access to the Tech Fair and Welcome Reception and 1.5 days of educational and training sessions.
What is the profile of the typical attendee?
The Forum has evolved into an essential training and educational event for everyone who takes advantage of IDEA’s business-to-business solutions and professional services. Our attendees include top level executives from the electrical supply chain and other related verticals including retail. This is your chance to connect and interact with C-level executives, mid-managers, eBusiness professionals and front line IT staff. Here is the profile breakdown:
- Manufacturers – 35%
- Distributors – 30%
- Service Providers – 25%
- Association guests/media – 10%
Of which are:
- 33% eBusiness/EDI
- 20% Senior Executives
- 15% IT Professionals
- 12% Sales/Marketing
- 20% Other - job functions including data sync, operations, pricing and product managers
Are there group discounts or other specials? Yes.
- Register early and save $75! Early bird rate: $525, Regular rate: $600
- Buy two registrations and get the third half-off! (all registrants must be from the same company)
- New customers (joined IDEA after September 1, 2009) get one free registration.
- Get travel discounts and promotions on the Location page
Can I make a registration substitution?
Yes. Registration substitutes are welcome at any time. Please email acrowder@idea-esolutions.com with substitutions. Be sure to include the initial registrant’s name and email along with the replacement registrant’s full name, email, title, phone number and mailing address.
What is your cancellation policy?
Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. There is a $50 cancelation processing fee per registration. From July 14 to August 15, 2010, 75% of fee paid will be refunded. After August 15, 2010, no refund will be given. Substitutes are welcome at any time.
What manufacturers can I expect to meet?
Some examples of manufacturers who typically send company representatives include: Rockwell, Siemens, Eaton, General Electric, OSRAM SYLVANIA, Inc., ILSCO, Panduit Corp., Hubbell, Inc., Thomas & Betts and Philips Electronics.
What distributors can I expect to meet?
Some examples of distributors who typically send company representatives include: Rexel, WESCO, Graybar, Crescent Electric Supply, Border States Industries, Platt Electric Supply, McNaughton McKay Electric Co., North Coast Electric, Van Meter Industrial and Wabash Electric.
Is my company eligible for the Richard Buzun Award for Leadership and Innovation in eCommerce?
All manufacturers and distributors in the electrical supply chain are eligible for the Forum’s prestigious eCommerce award. You must nominate your company online using our online nomination form to tell us about your past, current and future eCommerce efforts and accomplishments. Your nomination will then be reviewed by a panel of judge and winners will be notified prior to the Forum.
Speaker FAQs:
How do I become a speaker?
There is no official “call for speakers” in 2010 due to the increase in IDEA customer training sessions. However, if you are interested in speaking, please submit a topic title and a 1-2 paragraph abstract in English that includes your presentation summary and objectives to ebiz@idea-esolutions.com.
Exclusive opportunity for exhibitors and sponsors - This year IDEA is offering four lunch educational sessions to boost productivity. These limited speaking opportunities are available exclusively to exhibitors and sponsors. This gives you even more time to share your eBusiness expertise with an attentive audience and ignite an interactive discussion with an influential group of professionals in the electrical supply chain and other related verticals including retail. After your exhibit booth or sponsorship is secured, you can email your speaking abstract to ebiz@idea-esolutions.com to qualify. Hurry… spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Seminar presentations should be approximately 45 minutes long. The Forum committee will carefully review all abstracts.
As a speaker, do I need to register?
To ensure we have your correct contact information, we ask that all speakers register with the individual registration form and check the “pay by check” option so no payment is required. Online registration will open spring 2010.
What are some recommended topics for 2010?
This year’s theme is “eOptimizing Performance and Profitability.” Some examples of topics we are looking for:
- How to use Social Media in B2B
- How to build an online catalog
- Synchronization initiatives
- Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) business approach
- eBusiness success stories and profitability results
- How to use eBusiness to maximize ‘green’ initiatives
Please keep presentations focused on best practices and “how-to” so that attendees receive the maximum benefits that can be directly applied in their business.
Sponsor/Exhibitor FAQs:
As a sponsor/exhibitor, how do I register my complimentary attendees?
If your company receives a complimentary registration(s), register your attendees with our individual registration form select exhibitor or sponsor and check the “pay by check” option so no payment is required. Online registration will open April 2010.
What is the Tech Center?
The Tech Center is a mini-tradeshow where technology companies can demonstrate their products and meet 1-on-1 with prospective customers. All breakfasts, lunches, and breaks are held in the Tech Center as well as our Welcome Reception. This year the Tech Center will open the evening of September 20th and will close the evening of September 21st.
What types of exhibitors will be in attendance?
Our exhibitors provide products and services that can help companies in the electrical supply chain and other related verticals cut costs and increase profits through business process automation. Some specific areas of focus for past exhibitors include: data management & solutions, product information management, cataloging, B2B & eCommerce solutions, cash flow and billing, and supply chain performance and sales.
Some past exhibitors include: LG CNS Global, BlueVolt, Stibo Catalog, BillTrust, Datalliance, Computer Pundits, Infor, Sterling Commerce, SMP, Activant Solutions, Faxinating Solutions, DATAgility, Lawson Software, Diamond Mind, epaCUBE, Unilog Content Solutions and SAP.
Can I purchase more than one exhibitor booth?
Yes. This year you have the option to purchase a maximum of two concurrent booths to create double the exposure for your company. Purchase two booths side-by-side and get $100 off your second one. Second booth – only $950 (one additional registration is included)
