Networld Media Group (NMG), organizer of the Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit, has announced the keynote speakers for its fourth-annual event, to be held August 13-14 at the Hard Rock San Diego: best-selling musician, TV personality and motivational speaker Andrew W.K., and Hard Rock branding and training veteran Jim Knight.
“Our theme this year is ‘retail that rocks,’ and given the setting of the Hard Rock San Diego, it only made sense to get two bona-fide rock stars to anchor our agenda,” said James Bickers, NMG vice president of events and producer of the show. “Both gentlemen have an uncompromising focus on positivity and energy, and they are developing some amazing content specifically for retailers who want to bring that energy and optimism to their stores and their employees.”
Since his 2001 breakthrough single “Party Hard,” Andrew W.K. has released six full-length albums and four DVDs, has appeared on numerous television shows and has brought his message of the “power of positive partying” to countless live appearances.
“I’m really excited to speak about the power of positive partying, and how feelings of joy and excitement can bring even more enthusiasm and meaning to our lives in general and to the retail customer experience,” he said. “Our life is like a giant retail store that we get to shop for opportunities and ways to make our dreams come true. We’ll discuss how to increase the level of passion and intensity in all areas of life, and how to make the customer experience into a true celebration.”
A training and development veteran for 35-plus years, Jim Knight cut his teeth in the training field through the hospitality industry. He eventually became the head of the School of Hard Rocks, running point on all global training and development functions for Hard Rock International. Jim’s role at Hard Rock involved many facets of organizational training, including creating/managing all staff and management training materials and programs, facilitating its corporate university, overseeing management training locations, producing training DVDs, directing company e-learning initiatives, facilitating leadership transitions and traveling to property locations to deliver on-site classes and measure standards.
“I am thrilled to be returning to the Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit, this time as a keynote speaker,” he said. “Between being in one of my all-time favorite cities and at my old brand stomping grounds, this event is going to rock! My specific session, ‘Service That Rocks,’ is geared toward highlighting best practices to revolutionize a company’s service approach. It’s going to be high-energy and chock-a-block full of ideas, stories and examples, all while immersed in the spirit of rock ‘n roll. I can’t wait to be together and I hope you come hear what all the noise is about.”
Registration for the summit, which is limited to qualified retail executives, is now open at http://summit.retailcustomerexperience.com. Early-bird pricing is in effect through March 29.
ABOUT NETWORLD MEDIA GROUP Founded in 2000, Networld Media Group is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media communications company specializing in digital media, associations and events in the mobile, self-service, digital signage, retail, food service and financial services industries. Online properties include ATMmarketplace.com, DigitalSignageToday.com, FastCasual.com, KioskMarketplace.com, PizzaMarketplace.com, QSRweb.com, RetailCustomerExperience.com, SelfServiceWorld.com and ChurchCentral.com. The company produces executive summits in the fast casual, retail, ATM and mobile payments industries. Its custom media division develops premium content and marketing services for associations such as the ATM Industry Association.
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