ONIT

In just one hour, the opening guest speakers take the stage at the 2013 Internet Retailer Conference, in Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center.

Delivering the keynote address will be Chairman & CEO of the Japanese ecommerce marketplace, Rakuten, offering marketing opportunities from a globalized perspective.

From a different angle, The American Red Cross’ VP of Digital Engagement, Craig Oldham, will give the featured address on retaining consumers that gravitate toward your brand.

The special guest speaker, will a laundry list of accolades is Al Gore, Drector at Apple, Senior Adviser at Google and former Vice President of the United States, whose eco-friendly expertise will factor in his presentation on “The Internet, business and the worldwide opportunity.”

The rest of today’s tracks focus on topics in strategies for e-commerce executives, retail chains, global e-tailing, small retailers, and integrated e-marketing.

Creating a content strategy for boosting commerce will be explored by Ryan Ostrom, CMO of Craftsman and Head of Digital for KCD Brands and Sears Holdings.

On the brick & mortar track, today holds sessions on transitioning into a web powerhouse, turning online info into store action, making the web the centerpiece of the organization, leveraging the store base for e-commerce fulfillment, driving online shoppers to the store with “m-offers”, addressing mobile price-shoppers, and training store staff on encouraging online avenues for consumers.

International marketing seems like a daunting task, but chances are, your brand has firm-specific advantages that can translate to foreign markets. Tapping into global distribution channels can activate economies of scale that put your brand onto the level of competing companies.

For small or local brands, bootstrap marketing yourself requires innovative solution based on creativity rather than dollars. Low & no-cost resources are being discussed by Christopher Swanson, Co-Founder & Co-Owner of Betty’s Pies DIstributing LLC. A key topic in today’s tech environment is whether to switch out e-commerce platforms, a sticky relationship once relied upon. GM of AvidMax Outfitters, Cory Anderson, and GM of Dj’s Boardshop, David Johnson are scheduled to discuss.

We’ll be soaking up the advice and insights on marketing to new customers, loyalists, and drive-bys, making sure affiliate programs pay off, fueling effective e-mail marketing campaigns, cross-channel marketing across devices and media, including offline and broadcast.