Date: May 20, 1999

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The "eRetailing '99" conference was held
May 16-18 at the San Francisco Marriott
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Dear Readers, Clients, Partners, Friends:

Here are just some initial observations for you. Look for more of our coverage coming your way soon.

* it was more than twice as big as their last event (which was the first of its kind), held in NYC in October....almost 800 attendees at this one vs. 350 seven months ago....

* 42 exhibitors at this one vs. 12 at the last one (and for their next event in October, they've planned space for 100...which is already close to being sold out)....

* lots of last-minute walk-in attendance....which figures, SF being ground-zero for the Internet business (many I'm sure just took a break from work and walked or cabbed over to the downtown Marriott to check out the action)...

* press registrations were oversubscribed and included big players like Bloomberg, Computerworld, ZDTV... and of course GT&A.... :-)

* strong keynoters: Paul Gaffney, Sr VP at Office Depot, was a big hit....and Stewert Alsop, Fortune columnist cum VC, had some interesting things to say about coming trends in online commerce....

* there were several good panel discussions and useful research results presented...with an emphasis on how-to and current best practices (at least this weeks'!) in this crazy, fast-changing industry.... the overall program being somewhat tilted toward those still new at or just considering online ventures....

* mix of attendees (my guess) was about 60-40 in favor of traditional (bricks-and-mortar) retailers vs. virtual retailers or startups....

* picked up some great stories of fast growth (from both of the above groups)....

* met some interesting new Minneapolis people! (I can't believe I have to go all the way to San Francisco to meet people from my own town)...and a startup funding story with a Twin Cities connection as well....

* more later, from both myself and my West Coast Correspondent (we had dual coverage at this one!)....

best regards,
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Graeme Thickins, Founder & Principal Consultant
GT&A Strategic Marketing Inc.
*Twin Cities *LA *San Francisco *Seattle
Voice Mail: 612/944-1672  Fax: 612/944-1673
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And Editor-in-Chief:
"Branding & Marketing to Win
in the Knowledge Economy(tm)"
http://www.gtamarketing.com
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