The Internet Retail Conference & Exhibition, the world's largest e-commerce show, runs June 2-5 at McCormick Place West in Chicago. HitPath will be at Booth #355.
What is IRCE and where is it held?
IRCE is the world's largest e-commerce show, hosted by Internet Retailer magazine, and it takes place June 2-5 at McCormick Place West, the largest convention center in the U.S.
Call it the Second City, the Windy City, Chi-town, or home of the Cubs, Oprah, Obama, and Ditka. Whatever you want to call it, it's Chicago, and it's also home of the Internet Retail Conference & Exhibition. The show happens next week.
How big is the show?
The exhibition hall covers 250,000 square feet with over 600 exhibitors that encompass 90% of the e-commerce industry, and nearly 10,000 attendees are expected.
The exhibitors include e-commerce platforms, marketing, social, SEM, fulfillment and merchandising. There are two days of focused workshops that delve deep into topics to improve business, and another two days of day-long workshops. The exhibition hall sits in the middle of all this education.
Who is speaking?
Over 200 industry experts will speak, including keynote Jason Goldberger of Target.com and Mobile, Alex Ohanian of reddit, Christopher McCann of 1-800-FLOWERS, and James McQuivey of Forrester Research.
The speakers cover all aspects of e-commerce.
What else is there to do in Chicago?
Chicago offers the Art Institute of Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, food at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, the Purple Pig and Eataly, and cocktails at Three Dots and a Dash and The Violet Hour.
Among all the education and networking, don't forget there is a city full of life and culture out there. Chicago is a huge sports town, but unfortunately both the Cubs and White Sox are on road trips next week. Don't fret, though. At the time of this publication, the Blackhawks are still alive in the NHL Western Conference Finals, so there may be some Stanley Cup fever in town, even though Games 1 and 2 may be played away due to home ice standings favoring the East.
As the third most populous city in the United States, Chicago must be a town for foodies. The last restaurant I remember in Chicago is Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse on Rush Street, a place Michael Medema turned me on to. I haven't been there in years, so I texted my good friend Bill Yacona for another perspective. Here's what Bill texted back:
"If you are looking for things to do in Chicago, look no further than the Lakefront with the Art Institute of Chicago ("Save Ferris!") or the Shedd Aquarium. If it's good food you are after, then the Purple Pig or Eataly. If it's a cocktail, then Three Dots and a Dash and The Violet Hour are both rated on 'Chicago's Best Places to Get a Drink'."
Thank you, Bill! And thanks, AT&T Unlimited Text & Talk!
Where can you find HitPath at IRCE?
Stop by Booth #355 to say hello and talk business with HitPath.
It sure sounds like a busy week in Chicago when 10,000 retailers, marketers, and vendors hit the town for lots of networking and education. If you'll be in town for the IRCE, please make your way to Booth #355.