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STRONGSVILLE
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Ohio, 18 Dec 2006 —
The IBM Retail User Group (formerly the IBM Store Systems User Group) announced plans for its 30th Annual Conference at a recent board meeting. To celebrate this milestone, the conference will be held in Las Vegas on 20-23 May 2007.
Kelly Hewitt, from Belk Stores, President of the User Group, is excited to be leading this Group as they expand their reach and focus. "Where else could a retailer be able to talk about e-commerce, retail business models, POS, Linux, store architecture, self service possibilities and much more with experienced, knowledgeable retailers and IBMers, all in one place?", said Hewitt.
Hewitt added that the ability to literally make change happen is one of the more exciting benefits for members of the User Group, but he cautioned that "the experience is only as good as members make it. If you come committed to learn, to share, to engage actively, then the benefits are enormous." Other officers include: Michael Sachar, Beall's, Vice President & Treasurer, Charlie McWeeney, Wakefern Foods, Vice President and Karen Paramore, Pier 1, Secretary. In addition, the User Group Board of Directors includes Joe Rosolanko, Toys R Us International, Mark Olson, VF Outlet, Scott Krienbring, Kohl's Department Stores, Bobby Lewis, CompUSA, Don Intile, Shopko; Associate Liaisons to the Board are Rick Legue, Tekserve POS, Steve Haic, Ultimate Technology Corporation, and Jeff Boyle, 4690World.
The User Group is coming off of its most successful conference yet, which was held in San Francisco, CA on 15-18 May 2006. With the theme of "IT Tradition and Innovation — Bridging the Gap", the 29th annual conference delivered retail industry's latest ideas and IT strategies through keynote speeches and offered 48 challenging elective sessions to retail executives, IBM business partners, and IBM executives and developers. In addition, almost 60 business partners participated in the exhibits showing products and services that support the retail environment.
The event is attracting a larger attendance than ever before. This year's event saw a jump of almost 20% in attendance from last year with participants learning from and networking with some of the most influential names in retailing. The keynote speakers came from a diverse retail landscape. Andy Melson from the UK's John Lewis Department Stores stressed the importance of customer service — which isn't a strategy, it's a way of life — and how IT underpins the drive to enhance service at John Lewis. Michael Sachar from Family Dollar spoke about PCI security, which was a hot topic at the conference. Steve Evans, VP of Information Systems at the PGA Tour, Inc. showed how technology is being used to enhance the fan experience — capturing "every shot, every player, real-time", to transform data into compelling entertainment. Innovative customer facing technologies drew large crowds at this year's event. New and innovative uses for Kiosks sparked much interest and discussion by retailers. At the same time, attendees learned the importance of the business case for innovation.
About the IBM Retail User Group
The IBM Retail User Group (formerly the IBM Store Systems User Group) has, for thirty years provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, IBM and IBM business partners to advance store systems technology. The User Group represents an installed base of over a million IBM POS terminals and other in-store systems. This representation includes all segments of the retail industry including Department Stores, Specialty Stores, Mass Merchandisers, Drug, Food Service, Hospitality and many others. The User Group is a mutual benefit organization of IBM store system users, and providers of support products and services.
Learn more
About IBM
For more information on IBM Retail Solutions, please visit
ibm.com/retail.
Deb Jones
VP Administration
IBM Retail User Group
440-238-5880
issug@adelphia.net
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