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Partner with World Retail Congress

Once again the World Retail Congress delivered the goods: superb location, impeccable organisation, a roll call of the retail industry, insightful discussions and, last but not least, a unique opportunity to network with the industry. Over the past few years GfK Retail and Technology has enjoyed participating and contributing to the event, examining recent and future channel trends. We are already looking forward to the next edition!

Pascal Bollon, Global Director, GfK Retail and Technology - FashionLife

Why now?

There has never been a more essential time to partner with the World Retail Congress than now. The economic situation has stabilized. As the global retail industry enters a new economic era, more than ever the heads of retail businesses need the direction and inspiration of those that serve the industry.

With retailers seeking to make lasting and far reaching changes to their operational structure and seek lower cost bases, they are revaluating suppliers more than ever. Aligning yourself with World Retail Congress puts you in front of a captive audience of board level retailers - those with budgets to make decisions that could involve your products and services.

As we enter a paradigm shift in the retail market, now more than ever connecting with those leading retail businesses is essential. World Retail Congress is the only truly global platform, attracting retailers from cross sector-cross geography. The delegates attending World Retail Congress are the ultimate decision makers for the world's largest retail businesses. With over 20 hours of networking time including the premium event World Retail Awards, an effective online networking forum allowing to preschedule meetings and the celebration of retail talent past, present and future the event is a unique opportunity for retail service providers.

What are the benefits of partnering with World Retail Congress?

Sponsorship activities are focused around four main areas and can be developed and tailored according to specific needs. We will work with you to define your business objectives and create packages that meet them and enhance your offering, both during and around the event. Here's how we do it:

• NETWORKING - 20+ hours of dedicated networking time, including formal seated lunches, drinks receptions, the glittering Gala dinner, a dedicated networking floor plus many bespoke opportunities for you to meet our audience in the way that suits your business needs
• PR - The global business and retail media unites in only one place annually, WRC - partnered with key industry press, tabloids and associations there are vast opportunities for national and international exposure 
• EXCHANGE - Meaningful contact with board level retailers - exclusive access to true decision makers
• MARKETING - A multi-channel campaign - exposure through our international, multi-channel marketing campaign that incorporates mail, telemarketing, email, social media, web and PR

What areas of business development can World Retail Congress help with?

Thought leadership

Sponsors can display thought leadership - the demonstration of innovation and forward-thinking practice - through a variety of platforms. As well as speaking opportunities on the main conference stages, the festival comprises workshops, roundtables and private business breakfasts as well as online and offline communications platforms for businesses to promote their aims and values.

Branding/promotion

There are multiple opportunities for brand exposure and promotion before, during and after the festival. The marketing campaign featured over 60,000 pieces of direct mail, 1,000,000 emails and 50+ ads across 20+ publications and created a community of over 1000 social and professional online networkers. Sponsor branding is available throughout the campaign. At the event there are numerous ways to promote your brand including stage signage, banners, flags, lanyards, bags, giveaways etc.

Product launch

Use World Retail Congress as your launch pad in front of an audience of global retailers and the world's business press. If you are launching a particular service or product and want to get it in front of a wide or targeted audience, we can work with you to identify those retailers and create a platform to demonstrate to them during the Congress period.

The Product Showcase - a dedicated area where leading global industry service providers will display their innovative ideas and solutions, will allow you to generate sales leads that could boost your sales throughout 2011 and beyond.

Sales generation

The atmosphere of World Retail Congress guarantees plenty of opportunities to network and meet new potential sales contacts. We can provide private areas for specific appointments with delegates and invite guests to lunches or drinks with specific sales messaging attached. Our dynamic website also allows sales lead generation through report download and we can create bespoke pages to attract and capture important future sales data.

If you have a brand, product, service or value that you wish to promote in front of the industry's finest please contact:

Susan Hickmott
Global Commercial Manager
World Retail Congress

T: +44(0)20 7728 4757
E: susan.hickmott@emap.com

What to do next?

• See who will be speaking at the 2012 event »
• Industry praise for the Congress »
• Register your place for 2012 »