Networking with Your Tribe | Kristin Schoenstein & Elizabeth Robillard | eTail | Bonus Episode
Honest Ecommerce · with Kristin Schoenstein & Elizabeth Robillard · January 25, 2024 · 12 min
Summary
This episode offers an exclusive look into the eTail conferences through the eyes of its program directors, Kristin Schoenstein and Elizabeth Robillard. It highlights the critical role of industry events in fostering community, facilitating networking, and keeping ecommerce professionals abreast of key trends in AI, social commerce, and strategic partnerships. Listeners will gain actionable insights on leveraging these trends and the power of professional connections to grow their businesses.
Key takeaways
Industry conferences are vital for staying updated on trends like AI in retail, social commerce, and strategic partnerships. Prioritize attending events like eTail to gain a competitive edge.
Actively seek networking opportunities at conferences to build your "tribe" – a community of like-minded professionals who can offer support, collaboration, and new perspectives.
When building partnerships, focus on complementary businesses that can expand your reach and offer new technologies or services, as highlighted by the speakers.
For event organizers or those looking to maximize their conference experience, adopt a "divide and conquer" mentality, delegating tasks and leveraging team strengths to ensure a smooth and impactful event.
Content curation is paramount; successful conferences feature diverse panels and outstanding speakers to provide relevant and high-quality information to attendees, so apply this principle when seeking out learning opportunities yourself.
Elizabeth is a seasoned expert in the field of conferences, with nearly a decade of experience in market research and event organization in the retail and finance sectors. Since 2021, she has played an integral role in the powerhouse eTail Palm Springs team, co-producing the event alongside Kristin Schoenstein. When not immersed in the world of eCommerce conferences, she calls Queens home, sharing her space with her cat Wednesday. Kristin Schoenstein has been a Program Director at Worldwide Business Research since 2010 and has been producing events since 2004. She currently specializes in the retail and eCommerce sector where she is the Portfolio Director for eTail, which includes producing eTail Boston and co-producing eTail Palm Springs. In her free time, Kristin lives on the East End of Long Island where she enjoys boating, yoga, running and days at the beach with her husband and three daughters.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:49] Intro[01:21] Being a program director for industry conferences[02:28] Trend #1: the role of AI in retail businesses[03:09] Trend #2: Social commerce and live shopping[03:32] Trend #3: Launching partnerships to expand reach[05:04] Conferences bring like-minded people together[06:10] Creating opportunities for people to network[07:21] Curating relevant content from outstanding speakers[08:22] Inviting panels across different fields[09:12] eTail’s 25th anniversary: walk down the memory lane[09:56] A fun time for both attendees and staff members[10:40] Don’t do everything, divide and conquerResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeA community of retailers launching industry conferences <a href="https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/" rel="noopener nor
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Industry conferences are vital for staying updated on trends like AI in retail, social commerce, and strategic partnerships. Prioritize attending events like eTail to gain a competitive edge.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Actively seek networking opportunities at conferences to build your "tribe" – a community of like-minded professionals who can offer support, collaboration, and new perspectives.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
When building partnerships, focus on complementary businesses that can expand your reach and offer new technologies or services, as highlighted by the speakers.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
For event organizers or those looking to maximize their conference experience, adopt a "divide and conquer" mentality, delegating tasks and leveraging team strengths to ensure a smooth and impactful event.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Content curation is paramount; successful conferences feature diverse panels and outstanding speakers to provide relevant and high-quality information to attendees, so apply this principle when seeking out learning opportunities yourself.
