#Conext Connected Commerce Trade Show

This year, from 12—14 October at Lille Grand Palais, the #conext connected-commerce trade show will be playing host to trade professionals from around the world for its 20th edition. #conext will provide a unique opportunity for some 10,000 visitors to gain in-depth insights into recent trends and innovations in the field of connected commerce by exploring and unravelling current and future issues — relevant to all forms of commerce — through the lens of 4 major topics, namely Data, Commerce, Logistics, and Customer Relations. Each day of the event will be devoted to a specific topic and feature a prominent cast of visionaries, innovative start-ups and French and international speakers.
As an embodiment of the French Tech scene, #conext 2016 will be programming a number of exclusive events, including an Innovation Space unique in Europe; the #conext Retail Tour devoted to point-of-sale digitisation; plenary-session keynote addresses; more than 120 conferences and workshops; a trophies and awards ceremony; and an international village hosted in partnership with the SNCD and the FEDMA.

#conext: Shedding light on and decoding changes in connected commerce
“A new type of relationship is developing between brands and consumers. As they increasingly become the centre of focus, customers are more than ever before engaging with their preferred brands through digital, omni-channel conversations. For brands, the challenge entails moving beyond the customer-acquisition and retention phases, and adopting an integrated customer-relationship approach. In keeping pace with these changes, #conext seeks to shed light on and decode these conversations.
Among the main features of this year’s event are: daily themes enabling a better appreciation of the overall event; even more business meetings; an extended international village made possible through the continued partnership with SNCD and Fedma; and a completely redesigned Retail Tour. More than a trade show dedicated to innovation, #conext seeks to anticipate and predict new directions in connected commerce, while decoding the latest trends in the field,” said Didier Farge, President, #conext.

3 DAYS – 3 DEDICATED THEMES

Each day will be devoted to a specific theme, and feature prominent guest speakers, recognised experts, and typical business cases.

• 12 October – Innovation in retail (digitisation, omni-channel, IoT…)
• 13 October – Data Day: Data in all its forms (big data, small data, data-driven marketing…)
• 14 October – Consumer Day (user experience, reputation, social engagement…)

AN INNOVATION SPACE UNIQUE IN EUROPE FEATURING
START-UPS, SMEs AND MAJOR RETAILERS

One of the highlights of the event, and a key differentiating factor, the 600 square-metre Innovation Space will be divided into several zones, including:

The Connected Innovation Village, hosted by Pôle Ubiquitaire – EuraTechnologies, and showcasing some 20 innovative start-up organised around 4 themes, namely Smart Shopping Solutions, Social Shopping, Digital Shopping, and Innovation Lab with the CITC.

New Shopping Experience 2016, spotlighting innovative trends and practices that are set to shape the future of retailing. This year, 16 projects will be selected by PICOM (Pôle de Compétitivité des Industries du Commerce) for further development by 18 innovating SMEs in collaboration with 15 major retail chains and 3 research laboratories.

Espace Lab by CITC, featuring a number of innovative prototypes providing visitors with an opportunity to test and experience first-hand the Internet of Things in a retail setting.

Hosted by Silab (Shopping Innovation Lab) — the first innovation centre dedicated to the retail experience of the future — the #conext Retail Tour will highlight the latest trends in connected commerce, novel concepts in retail, and various point-of-sale digitization initiatives.