DISTREE APAC 2015 to highlight regional channel issues

Three-day event offers series of workshops and small group sessions focused on Asia Pacific’s (APAC) channel dynamics, business prospects and structural issues impacting regional technology markets

DISTREE APAC 2015, the region’s leading volume technology and consumer electronics (CE) channel event, will include a series of workshop sessions hosted by research companies, consultants and local channel experts. All delegates attending DISTREE APAC (www.distree-apac.com), which takes place from October 7th to 9th at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore, can pre-register to attend workshop sessions through their web account.

Ashish Kapahi, Regional Director for DISTREE Events in Asia Pacific, said: “We are delighted to provide a comprehensive line-up of workshops, including multiple sessions from event partner GfK, plus workshops from content partners CONTEXT, Quadmark and Spire Research.”

“Staying up to speed with the latest market trends and business innovations is key to channel success in APAC. The varied content programme at DISTREE APAC allows delegates to attend the sessions that are most relevant to their business needs,” explained Kapahi.

The full line-up of workshops and small group sessions taking place at DISTREE APAC 2015 is as follows:

1) GfK SCM Insights: Navigating the Value Chain and Optimising Business Opportunities - Markets are more challenging, volatile and less predictable than ever. GfK will illustrate how vendors and distributors are able to navigate their value chain to optimise their indirect business model at every single stage within the market and product lifecycle. Learn how to optimise pricing, demand and distribution. GfK will provide a comprehensive level of knowledge on supply chain management (SCM). Hosted by Isabell Strohofer, Senior Marketing Consultant IT at GfK.

2) APAC Retail & Emerging Technologies - New products and emerging customer-centric technologies are changing the face of electronics retail. This workshop discusses technology trends, examines examples from leading global retailers and draws lessons for APAC retailers looking to seize new opportunities. Hosted by international consultant Ryan Mackey.

3) GfK Breakfast Briefing: Meeting Shopper Needs in an Omnichannel Environment - Digitisation is changing the path to purchase, from where people buy and how they shop. Shoppers’ expectations are evolving. To be successful, businesses need to leverage the most relevant data to gain best insights on what, why and how shoppers buy to optimise each step of the purchase journey. GfK will share valuable insights on the latest shopper research across multiple Asian countries and what it means for the future of shopping. Hosted by Jake Shepherd, Regional Director for Retail in Asia Pacific at GfK.

4) Quadmark: Sales Enablement in a World of Connected Commerce - Sales enablement is a crucial part of equipping consumer channels for the world of connected commerce. How can you ensure your sales associates play their role in delivering the experiences that attract customers, drive basket value and profitability, and secure repeat visit and loyalty? Senior Consultant Frederic Cosny offers the Quadmark perspective.

5) Spire: Enhancing Channel Health - Spire Research’s workshop will offer vendors and distributors insight on enhancing channel health and building greater engagement to grow partner intimacy and loyalty. In terms of channel health, the session will cover analysing channel cost, measuring channel effectiveness, optimising partner profitability and measurement of return on working capital (ROWC). Channel engagement topics covered will include strategic account planning and the role of partner advisory boards. Hosted by Japnit Singh, Senior Director Singapore & India at Spire Research.

6) GfK Shape for Growth: 10 Winning Strategies - Top Trends for the APAC technology markets in 2015 & 2016. With more aspects of our lives becoming connected, we can see a greater willingness to rely on technology to support our lifestyles. There is an influx of digital products entering the market, as consumers are constantly looking out for innovations to meet their needs. GfK will take delegates through the success stories of the ICT markets in 2015 and the possible trend setters in the region. Hosted by Russell Wee, Manager IT & Office, GfK Retail & Technology.

7) Smart Channels Summit - Growth in the sales of wearables, health and wellness products has arrived, but there are barriers, as they are still seen as gadgets, with an explosion in similar devices as well as competing with other form factors such as smartphones. To achieve breakthrough, the technology industry working with retailers, is taking wearables to the next level of relevance and meaning for the user. Hosted by CONTEXT.

8) CONTEXT: Channel Business Intelligence in Asia - New Ideas from the CONTEXT IT Distribution Sales Database. CONTEXT runs the largest IT Distributor Panel Database in the world, covering sales through the IT distribution channel. This database is free of charge to participating distributors and paid for by vendor subscriptions. Howard Davies, CEO and co-founder of CONTEXT, will be at the session to explain how vendors and distributors use this database in other countries to help manage their operations. A wide selection of technology and consumer electronics brands will be represented at DISTREE APAC, from A-brands through to vendors preparing to launch operations in the region for the first time. DISTREE APAC offers a powerful channel gateway to the region’s markets for vendors at every stage of their channel development. Hundreds of senior executives from the region’s most influential technology and consumer electronics distributors, retailers and e-tailers are already confirmed to attend DISTREE APAC 2015. During the event, they will have the opportunity to preschedule one-on-one meetings with participating brands as well as attending workshops.

Toshiba is a Platinum Sponsor of DISTREE APAC 2015, with Leapfrog confirmed as Gold Sponsor of this year’s event, plus Mercantile, Strontium and Valore as Silver Sponsors.