Let’s Talk Tech

Thursday June 8, 2017 | Filed under:

If you follow tech news – or visit Starbucks – you probably heard about the coffee company phasing in groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) to allow customers to order and pay using a voice- or text-activated mobile app that mimics the in-store experience. In other words, minus pesky humans.

This is just one example of a big-name brand making a giant leap toward AI to better its customer experience. Whether that’s a good thing is yet to be determined (I’m sure HAL will let us all know in a few short years).

My point is that if your company is lagging behind technology advancements in any way, consider joining us at ASI’s annual CTO Summit, July 10-11, in Chicago. This free networking and education event will explore the many ways technology is impacting the promotional products industry today – and how coming advancements might improve the way we conduct business tomorrow. The summit is sponsored by Macrosoft (asi/55202), Links Unlimited (asi/67617), Magnet (asi/68507) and Vantage Apparel (asi/93390).

Here are the speakers who will enlighten us:

  • Machine Learning: Is There Practicality in the Promo industry? by Armughan Rafat, executive vice president and chief technology officer of the ASI Family of Companies. Armughan will provide a fresh perspective by showing a practical example on how we can use machine learning and AI to help serve our customers better.
  • How to Protect Your Business From Data Hacks & Cyber Attacks, by Sohail Iqbal, director of cybersecurity operations for Dow Jones, a parent company of The Wall Street Journal. With over 18 years of technology experience in the media, IT and healthcare industries, Sohail is on the forefront of cyber threat deterrents and building a security-aware culture.
  • The Importance of Branding & Marketing Technology for Millennials, by Mark Evans, CMO of Top 40 distributor AIA. With more than 20 years of marketing experience, Mark will share the conceptual understanding, technical awareness and communication skills required to tap into the white-hot millennial market.
  • The Latest Technology Trends, by Eric Shonebarger, CTO for Counselor Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products. Implementing streamlined, cutting-edge technologies is an integral reason why Hit enjoyed an unprecedented 130% sales growth over the last five years. Eric will discuss ways the hottest tech trends can help make your business faster, safer and more competitive.

Click here for more info and to register. The LondonHouse Chicago hotel where the summit takes place is offering attendees a special discounted room rate of $249/night (plus taxes). Best of all, the summit dovetails with ASI Show Chicago, July 11-13, so you can take advantage of a one-two networking punch.

If you have any questions, please email me at tim.andrews@asicentral.com.