Inaugural Customer Experience Summit announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The inaugural Customer Experience Summit, co-hosted by RetailConnections and by Cathy Hotka & Associates, will take place August 17-19, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. The event will provide insights into how today's consumers make buying decisions and leading retailers are changing business practices to stay competitive.

Among the keynote speakers are Larry Selden, Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia University, Emeritus, Wharton School of Business, Salomon Brothers faculty research fellow and key advisor to Best Buy's customer-centricity efforts; and Marshal Cohen, renowned chief industry analyst at market research firm The NPD Group, and author of the bestselling book "Why Customers Do What They Do." Selden and Cohen both are highly sought-after industry speakers as well as advisors to top retail CEOs and senior management teams.

The highlight of the Summit is a three-hour hands-on business school workshop moderated by Professor Larry Selden. Participants will examine a fictional company, consider its shortcomings and create solutions.