Keynote Address to be Delivered by Robert Fort, Former CIO of Virgin Entertainment Group; Nokia Signs as Platinum Sponsor

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Mobile Retail Experience (www.mobileretailexperience.com), a series of live events to demonstrate innovative mobile technologies and applications at work in retail environments, today announced a robust lineup of speakers, sponsors, demonstrations and keynote speaker. The Mobile Retail Experience will take place during International CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment, Oct. 7-9 at the San Diego Convention Center. It is part of a multi-city demo and conference series scheduled for 2009 and 2010 produced by the Global Retail Executive Council (GREC).

An exciting roster of speakers, sponsors and demonstrators have joined the Mobile Retail Experience. Robert Fort, former CIO of Virgin Entertainment Group, will deliver the keynote. Nokia is joining the event as Platinum Sponsor, highlighting their Point and Find solution. Additional speakers include award-wining "Branding Unbound" author Rick Mathieson, retail analyst firms Retail Forward and Retail Systems Research, and technology providers bCode, and Single Touch Interactive. Even more speakers and demonstrations are expected to be announced in the coming days.

"We are thrilled with this impressive lineup of speakers and look forward to their insights, participation and demonstrations at Mobile Retail Experience," said Jim Crawford, executive director of GREC. "Each company brings a unique perspective on how mobile retail is truly the next big thing for both the retail and wireless industries. Mobile marketing is turning into mobile shopping, and all the stakeholders in the process - from the retailers to the carriers - need to come together to create experiences that are more appealing to shoppers while delivering better ROI. These companies recognize the unique value proposition that comes from bringing together two important industries - we are re-engineering the way people can learn about new technologies in the context of changing their business models. "

To date, the Mobile Retail Experience line up includes:

• Keynote address by Robert Forte, Former CIO of Virgin Megastores, takes a closer look at disruptive technologies like a camera-enabled, connected computer in the palm of every shopper and why retailers need to adapt-quickly, to a newly empowered shopper, while at the same time protect their core brand identity, and the bottom line.
• Rick Mathieson, award-winning author of "Branding Unbound," discusses Bricks & Mobile: Transforming the In-Store Experience.
• Steve Rowen, Partner, RSR Research looks in-depth at consumer shopping habits as it relates to coupons, discounts and social networking. Rowen will share results from just-published report examining: How are retailers responding to these trends, and how is it impacting their technology investment priorities? What are the practices that the best retailers - large and small - are using to try to get the most out of the only channel where progress continues? Perhaps most importantly, how will these trends affect the coming holiday season?
• Stefano Landi, Head of Global Sales & Business Development, Nokia Point & Find explores how brands, retailers and consumers will connect to relevant information and services by simply pointing their internet-enabled camera phone at real-life objects.
• Michael Mak, CEO, BCode, discusses practical applications for mobile couponing, such as in-store service, sales and loyalty programs.
• Anthony Macaluso, CEO, Single Touch Interactive discusses the future of mobile commerce, specifically addressing Abbreviated Dial Codes (ADC) and its role in streaming audio and video, messaging, ringtone delivery and mobile coupons.

The Mobile Retail Experience is the first educational and demonstration event for companies in the emerging mobile retail space - including smartphone manufacturers, network operators ,applications providers, consumer brands and retailers - to demonstrate technologies and applications focused on in-store point-of-sale mobile marketing, loyalty and customer service. Technologies and applications that will be featured include Mobile Barcode Technology (2D, 3D and High Capacity Color Barcodes), Smartphones, Operating Systems, Handsets, Multimedia and Rich Media-Advertising Content, Local Business and Location-Based Applications, Contactless and NFC applications, Mobile Payment services, Image Recognition and more.

Information to participate as a demonstration partner in Mobile Retail Experience is available online at www.mobileretailexperience.com. Follow the Mobile Retail Experience on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contacts

Bock Communications, Inc.
Ricca Silverio, 714-206-7200
rsilverio@bockpr.com