WMU News

E-commerce execs from around nation coming to WMU

Oct. 3, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- For the second consecutive year, members of the Southwest Michigan business community will have access to some of the nation's top e-commerce executives at a conference sponsored by the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University.

"E-Business: Surviving and Thriving in the Internet Economy" will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at WMU's Fetzer Center. The day-long event is targeted at business managers, non-profit administrators, information technology professionals and others interested in online or offline e-commerce. Speakers include industry leaders from powerhouses such as Dell Computer, Microsoft, Covisint, BP Amoco and Nextel, along with a number of other Internet experts from around Southwest Michigan and the nation.

"We received an excellent response from the community after our e-commerce conference last year," says Dr. Roberta Schultz, WMU assistant professor of marketing, who is serving as co-chairperson of the conference along with Dr. Betty Parker, associate professor of marketing. "We have an excellent lineup of speakers from e-commerce hub cities around the nation, including Seattle, Tampa, Detroit and Chicago. We'll discuss how business can get involved in the Internet economy and make the most of the opportunities available. And with such a great assembly of e-commerce experts, we'll be making some predictions for the next phase of electronic business."

Dr. James W. Schmotter, dean of WMU's Haworth College of Business, says, "Despite the dot-com crash of the last year, e-commerce is not dead. As a matter of fact, new applications and business opportunities surface daily. E-commerce is an increasingly important part of our curriculum at the Haworth College of Business, and we're delighted that our partners from the world of business practice can be here to share their expertise."

The cost to attend the conference is $95, which includes breakfast, lunch and all conference materials. Reservations are required by October 25, and can be made by contacting Schultz at (616) 387-0940 in Kalamazoo or (616) 742-5030 in Grand Rapids, or <roberta.schultz@wmich.edu>.

Media contact: Jessica English, 616 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu


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