ERA Europe Moves Ahead

I'm absolutely delighted to welcome you to the 2007 ERA European Conference and Expo, here in the luxurious surroundings of Monte Carlo.

As you've perhaps heard by now, we have made significant steps in revitalizing and repositioning this European Conference, and we hope our efforts this year will serve as a major springboard for the direction of our future events.
So what's it all about? What's different?

First of all, we have specifically designed this conference and expo to help you become better-informed on the issues that are shaping our industry, the new trends, new technologies and new ways of thinking--all with the aim of sparking your imagination by providing you with food for thought, and hopefully showing the way our industry is heading in the future.

It is our vision that this will become the Annual International Gathering and Showcase of Electronic Home Shopping Specialists.

Conference organizers have gone to great lengths to assemble an awe-inspiring line-up of speakers, and I'd like to recommend to you my "Big Three" of hot events. The first of our headline events will be the European Affairs Forum on Monday at 11:00, presided over by Mrs. Meglena Kuneva, European commissioner in charge of consumers affairs. This is your great chance to find out about legislative issues affecting your business, right now and in both the near and distant futures. We will have representatives from the EU Commission, European Parliament, EGTA, ASA/CAP and others.

We also are delighted to have secured the presence of Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle, who will be the star attraction at our Leadership Luncheon on Monday from 12:30 to 14:30. The Funky Business (Talent Makes Capital Dance) author is a highly sought-after speaker, and has a style that is challenging, confrontational, positively charged and certain to leave you in a state of energetic inspiration.

Tuesday's highlight is the panel discussion Electronic Home Shopping -- The Quiet Revolution, hosted by ERA Chair-elect Ed Garrubbo. Among his guests will be Conrad Hilbers, CEO of HSE Germany; Richard Burrell, vice chairman of technology, QVC UK; Steve Bennett, CEO of Vinappris; Henry Scott, CEO of Simply Media; and Angus Glover Wilson from Digital Commerce USA. Debate, question and learn about new technologies and trends that are shaping our industry.

The aim of the repositioned conference is also to welcome non-members and new members. We want to make it as attractive as possible, a forum for meeting people, making contacts, learning and securing business.

We've made every effort to provide you with an environment that is relaxing, tailored to your needs and, of course, that has the pre-requisite fun elements. For this, I'd recommend the Opening Reception & Garden Party, and the Closing Farewell "Diamonds Are Forever" Party on Tuesday night at Le Karement Club, where an actual diamond will be given to a lucky attendee. If you don't have plans for Monday night, ask about Lara Pennington's Ministry of Fun Dinner at La Mandarine. For meetings, don't struggle for quiet space in the hotel bar--we have set up a Business Club next to the Exhibit Hall. You can reserve a table for the entire conference as your own "personal headquarters." See our registration staff for details.

This is the beginning of the new route we are taking with the European Conference, and only with your input can we really make it work best for our members. Any feedback you may have will be warmly received.

Finally, I'd like to wish you a fantastic 2007 ERA European Conference and Expo!

Branimir Brkljac
Chairman of ERA Europe Board of Directors