GLOBAL ELECTRONIC MARKETING CONFERENCE SCHEDULED

RICHARD TURCSIK

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Retail Systems Consulting and Grocery Manufacturers of America, Washington, are jointly sponsoring the Global Electronic Marketing Conference, which will be held April 1 and 2 at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort here.

The conference, which will discuss the growing role of electronic marketing domestically and around the globe, is said to contain sessions of interest to executives and implementers from manufacturers, retailers, vendors, wholesalers, advertising agencies, academia and investors.

Topics covered include home shopping, co-marketing between manufacturers and retailers, electronic marketing, independent retailer programs, the future of couponing and consumer specific marketing. Brand Marketing will present the results of its Second Comprehensive Industry Survey on Electronic Marketing.

Presenters include Retail Systems Consulting, Ralston Purina Co., Catalina Marketing, St. Joseph's University, Shoppers Express, Smart Store, Associated Wholesaler Grocers of Kansas City, A.C. Nielsen, DCI Card Marketing, Dick's Supermarkets, Cornerstone Technologies and Roundy's.

Procter & Gamble will discuss its plans to share its extensive consumer data base with retailers to create opportunities for joint targeted promotions.

"At this conference we'll discuss how some manufacturers are beginning to re-examine freestanding inserts and look at other alternatives to create consumer incentives," Barry Kotek, managing partner of Naples, Fla.-based Retail Systems Consulting, told Brand Marketing.

A show floor with vendor tables will be available.

The fee to attend Gemcon is $795 for retailers, wholesalers and GMA members, $895 for GMA associate members and $995 for others. Registration can be accomplished by calling GMA at (202) 337-9400 or faxing it at (202) 337-4508. Additional information about the conference can be obtained by calling Retail Systems Consulting at (941) 262-5775 or faxing it at (941) 262-7511.

Hotel reservations can be made by calling Marriott's Sawgrass Resort at (800) 457-4653 or by faxing it at (904) 285-7777.