CASRO Management Conference
"The Transition From Survival to Growth"

Wednesday, June 16 & Thursday, June 17, 2010
W Lakeshore, Chicago, IL

Hear from leading market research industry chief executives about how they are handling their most daunting current challenges and how they are investing in their firms' future growth. Ideal for CEOs, VPs, Presidents, CFOs, Directors, and Managers charged with strategy and management for departments or entire organizations, this event addresses the issues that keep you up at night:

• Prioritizing investment of time and capital
• Growing sales
• Staffing
• Navigating the procurement process
• Optimizing client relationships
• Assessing alternate business models
• Much more

DAY I: Wednesday, June 16, 2010

12:00 p.m. - Registration Opens

12:15 p.m. - Lunch with Exhibitors

1:00 p.m. - Opening Remarks

• Diane K. Bowers, CASRO President
• Rahul Sahgal, President & CEO, Annik Technology Services, Conference Chair

1:15 p.m. - Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Citing his recently published book, Grow from Within, our keynote presenter provides frameworks and tools for new business design, along with advice on how to plan and lead an ongoing innovation program based on your company's strategic objectives and corporate context. Business leaders are using Grow from Within to defeat commoditization, expand when acquisitions fail, and retain the talent that makes companies great.

• Robert Wolcott, Executive Director of Kellogg Innovation Network, Kellogg School of Business and author of Grow from Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2:15 p.m. - The 2010 Honomichl Top 50: A Preview and Forecast
Get top-line results of the 37th Annual Market Research Industry Revenue Trends and Analysis Report - the renowned "Honomichl Top 50". How has the economic recession impacted the U.S. research industry?

• Jack Honomichl, Founder, Inside Research

2:45 p.m. - Managing Entrepreneurial Growth
There are many companies that are showing tremendous growth even in these uncertain times. What is different about these companies? What are the challenges faced?

• Sanford M. Schwartz, President, Phoenix Marketing International

3:15 p.m. - Break with Exhibitors

3:45 p.m. ISO Certification - Taking the Plunge to Improve Quality and Realize ROI
Certification to ISO 20252 and 26362 has been undertaken in Europe, Australia and elsewhere to a far greater extent than the US. The time has come for the US to meet the challenge of ISO - to document and improve quality processes and achieve certification to these global research standards. Companies that have undergone the certification process credit it with improving operational efficiency and output quality. It also represents a valuable credential in the eyes of clients. With the launch of the CASRO Institute for Research Quality (CIRQ) research companies now have access to a North American-based entity that provides audit and certification services to the research industry-specific ISO 20252 and ISO 26362. Learn more about the ISO certification process, including important advice on audit preparation.

• Cathy Kneidl, Certification Director, CASRO Institute for Research Quality (CIRQ)

4:10 p.m. Survival to Growth: What it Takes to Make the Transition
Are mere adjustments adequate, or do you need a new business model? How are priorities changing for the investment of time and funds?

• Kevin Menk, Managing Partner, Strategic Resource Partners and Board Chair, CASRO

4:30 p.m. - Strategy & Tactics for Company Leaders: Panel Discussion
Research industry CEOs discuss strategies and how they may have changed over the past six months. At an industry level, the discussion will emphasize the adaptability required, at a strategic level, the focus will be reactions to changing economic scenarios. This will be an interactive session discussing issues and approaches to make the most of the recovery.

• Rahul Sahgal, President & CEO, Annik Technology Services, Session Moderator
• Michael Brereton, President, Maritz Research Inc.
• John Gongos, President/CEO, Gongos Research, Inc.
• Jim Follett, CEO, Authentic Response

5:45 p.m. - Day 1 Adjournment

5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Cocktail reception with Exhibitors

Day II: Thursday, June 17, 2010

8:00 a.m. - Breakfast with Exhibitors

8:45 a.m. - Opening Remarks Day II

9:00 a.m. - Turnaround Strategies
Engineering a turnaround in these economic conditions produces many lessons to be learned. Gain a first-hand perspective on what can be done to re-invigorate a company.

• George Terhanian, President, Global Solutions, Harris Interactive Inc.

10:00 a.m. - Navigating Contracts & Procurement
Among the prevailing complaints of market researchers is the commoditization of their talents via increasingly restrictive procurement processes. Whether it's getting on approved vendor lists or working through the demands of RFPs, frustration is widespread. Before you walk away from potential business, gain a better understanding of your options. Avoid pitfalls in the procurement maze and garner free legal advice on myriad contract issues.

• Russell F. Anderson, Attorney, Lev & Berlin, P.C.
• Stuart Pardau, General Counsel, J.D. Power & Associates

10:30 a.m. - Break with Exhibitors

11:00 a.m. - Forging and Strengthening Client Relationships
A panel of client-side researchers provide valuable perspectives on how they are adapting to changing economic situations. How have budgets changed? Are they changing the way they make purchase and value decisions now? Have certain changes implemented last year become permanent?

• Dan Coates, President, Globalpark USA, Session Moderator
• Steve Schwartz, Microsoft Corporation
• Kent Bassett, Group Manager, Consumer Insights & Strategy at PepsiCo
• Eric Taylor, Senior Manager at General Mills

12:15 p.m. - Lunch

1:15 p.m. - Business Management & Operations: Panel Discussion
Despite an uptick in many economic indicators, budgets remain under intense scrutiny. Those charged with financial and operations leadership face numerous pressures. What are the immediate concerns in terms of managing your bottom line, motivating employees, and investing in business development? What issues are clouding or hampering your long-term planning? Find out how your peers are answering these most vexing questions.

• Tyler McMullen, Senior Vice President, MarketVision Research
• Harold Busack, CFO, Thoroughbred Research Group
• Mark Hardy, Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Director Americas, Survey Sampling International

2:30 p.m. - Maximizing Sales With Informed, Consistent Action
Don't blame the poor economy for underperforming sales. Everything you need to land new accounts and build business with current clients is well within reach. You need to absorb what the marketplace and your clients are telling you, formulate appropriate actions and get your sales and account management team working smarter and more systematically. With the right strategy executed consistently you can confidently set increased expectations and achieve your organization's growth goals. This interactive session will give you the tools you need to boost your company's sales.

• Bill Guerin, Partner, Cambiar

3:30 p.m. - Conference Adjournment

 

 

 

 

Hotel Information

W Chicago - Lakeshore

While it may feel like you're miles away from anything as you gaze into the hues of Lake Michigan, you're actually right in the middle of the third largest city in America. On one side you can drift through Navy Pier and the festivities that line the lakeside parks, and on the other you can explore the personality that makes Chicago a city unlike any other. You're just minutes away from the Magnificent Mile, the John Hancock Building, and the world famous Sears Tower.

Address:	644 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60611-3017
Room Reservations:	(312) 943-9200
Website:	Click for reservations

 

Room Reservations/Deadlines

CASRO has reserved a limited number of sleeping rooms at the W Chicago Lakeshore at a rate of $209 plus tax, per night for the nights of June 15, 16 & 17, 2010. Contact Reservations at 312.943.9200 and reference CASRO to receive this rate. The hotel room/rate reservation deadline is Wednesday, June 2, 2010, however, this rate is only guaranteed as long as rooms are available in the CASRO room reservation block, so we suggest making your room reservation early. If the room block is full, or it is after Wednesday, June 2, the hotel will take reservations on a rate and space availability basis only.

CASRO reserves the right to release your sleeping room back into the hotel's inventory if you do not register to attend this conference within 5 days of reserving your room. Should you fail to register for the conference, or if you cancel your conference registration, CASRO will not be responsible for cancelling your hotel room and therefore will not be responsible for any cancellation or no-show fees incurred. CASRO also will not be held responsible for any costs incurred due to attendees' inability to travel as a result of inclement weather.

Travel to Chicago

Most visitors enter Chicago by way of O'Hare International Airport (ORD), one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. Smaller airports that service Chicago include the Midway International Airport (MDW) and the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY).

About Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States with more than 2.8 million people. The city's upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as eminent architecture, draw tourists from around the globe. Another popular destination is the Museum Campus, a 10-acre lakefront park, surrounding three of the city's main museums: the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium. Spring and summer visitors also are drawn to the famed Wrigley Field, home of baseball's Chicago Cubs.

Average temperatures for June: High: 80.0 °F / Low: 61.0 °F

 

 

 

 

 

Conference Registration

Registration Fees:

Members:
- $795 on site*
- $995 off site

Non Members:
-$1,095 on-site*
-$1,295 off-site

*To qualify for this rate, you must book your room reservation at the W Chicago Lakefront within 5 days of registering for the conference, or the “off-site” registration rate will apply. If at any time you cancel your reservation at the W Chicago Lakeshore, you will be charged the difference between the on- and off-site registration fees.

The registration fee includes a cocktail reception and dinner on Wednesday and breakfast and lunch on Thursday. Wireless internet will be provided to each registrant in the exhibit area at no cost.

Cancellations on or before Wednesday, May 12 will be charged a $425 cancellation fee. Cancellations after May 12 and no-shows will forfeit the entire registration fee, but substitutions can be made at any time.

  If you have any special requirements, please contact us two weeks prior to the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information

The exhibit space consists of one six-foot skirted table, 2 chairs, and standard electricity (500 watts or less). Materials (signs, TV monitors, magazine racks, etc.) must be placed on the table or behind it and may not exceed a total height of eight feet (as measured from the floor). The total combined width of materials located behind the table may not exceed six feet. The exhibit fee includes the exhibit space and conference registration for one person.

Exhibit Fees:

 CASRO Member: $1,500 (includes 1 conference registration)

 Non Member: $2,000

Sponsorship Opportunities:

 PREMIER SPONSOR: $6,500 (includes 2 registrations)

 LUNCH SPONSOR: $1,500 (includes 1 registration) - SOLD

 GENERAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP: 

	P R E M I E R  S P O N S O R