Frequently Asked Questions
ECRM (Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing) is a solution that connects buyers and suppliers through virtual and in-person programs, streamlining the process of category management, product sourcing, and collaboration. ECRM works with companies around the world in a variety of different categories including food & beverage, general merchandise, health & beauty care, pharmacy & medical markets and foodservice.
The cost varies per session and participation type. Learn more by visiting our Session Listing.
- Planning Session: Two attendees, private suite, 20-minute meetings
- Innovation Pipeline: 10-minute meetings, one attendee, private booth
- RangeMe Discovery Hub: 10-minute appointments in tabletop format
ECRM offers an all-inclusive, turnkey experience.
- Pre-Scheduled Meetings with Key Decision-Makers
- Dedicated Client Success Manager
- Scheduled Networking Events
- Coordination of All Travel Accommodations
We curate pre-scheduled meetings between brands and decision makers. You get a dedicated Client Success Manager who guides you through the entire process and helps manage your schedule and answer questions along the way. You're invited to participate in networking events, hear from educational speakers, and mix and mingle with peers and potential business partners during mealtimes. In addition, ECRM manages and coordinates your hotel accommodations, your freight, your meeting space, and any extras you require for your meeting space.
Dive deeper into what you can expect with your registration.
We carefully match buyers and sellers based on product categories and buyer objectives, ensuring each meeting has high potential for business. Furthermore, we dig into buyer objectives (to fully understand what they are looking for), and then match those objectives to the capabilities of the participating brands. Our goal is to ensure that every meeting you have has the potential to generate commerce. You'll have full visibility into which companies will potentially be part of your schedule from day one, along with information about those companies. You can always work with your Customer Success Manager if you have any questions.
Don't just take our word for it, check out some of our Success Stories.
The number of meetings you'll have depends on several factors, including the number of participants and product categories. Typically, expect around 15-20 meetings per day.
For suppliers, the number of people depends on your participation type, however it's most efficient with 2 people. For qualified buyers, you may bring as many people as necessary to cover all product categories presented at the Session, we just ask that a decision maker participates.
Learn more by visiting our Session Listing
Absolutely! In fact, we recommend having samples available for buyers to see, touch, taste, and feel during your appointments. We also have sampling opportunities at most sessions to participate in swag bags and/or sponsorships for additional product exposure. You simply ship your samples and other materials to the Session hotel and they will be waiting for you at your meeting space on setup day!
ECRM differs from a traditional tradeshow in several key ways:
- Pre-Scheduled Meetings: Unlike tradeshows, where attendees often rely on chance interactions, ECRM ensures that every meeting is pre-scheduled with qualified buyers who match your product category. This means that your time is spent in highly focused, productive conversations that are more likely to drive business outcomes.
- Private Meeting Spaces: At ECRM, your meetings are held in private suites or booths, giving you the space to have uninterrupted, meaningful discussions. This contrasts with tradeshows, which typically have open, noisy environments that can be distracting and limit the depth of conversations.
- Turnkey Experience: ECRM handles logistics like hotel accommodations, freight, meals, and transportation for buyers, freeing you to focus on your meetings and networking. In contrast, trade shows often require you to manage these details on your own.
- Higher ROI and Efficiency: ECRM's curated, appointment-based approach ensures you meet with relevant buyers, making each interaction more valuable. With tradeshows, the interaction model is often random, and you may not connect with decision-makers, leading to less efficient use of your time and investment.
- Virtual and In-Person Flexibility: ECRM offers both virtual and in-person sessions, giving you more flexibility in how you connect with buyers. Traditional tradeshows usually require physical attendance, which can limit your reach.
- RangeMe Integration: One of the biggest advantages of ECRM is its partnership with RangeMe, our online product discovery platform that connects buyers and suppliers year-round. With RangeMe, you can showcase your products to thousands of buyers globally, beyond just your in-person or virtual ECRM meetings. This ongoing exposure offers additional opportunities to get discovered and grow your business outside of the event itself, something a traditional tradeshow doesn't typically provide.
By focusing on pre-scheduled meetings with qualified buyers and handling logistics for you, ECRM ensures a more efficient, ROI-driven experience than a traditional tradeshow.
Learn more about why businesses are choosing ECRM as a tradeshow alternative.
When you attend an ECRM session, expect a well-organized experience designed for maximum impact. Before the event, you'll receive personalized support from a Client Success Manager, who helps prepare you for pre-scheduled meetings with qualified buyers. Upon arrival, your setup will be ready at a premier hotel, where all meetings, meals, and networking events are held. Sessions feature private, distraction-free meetings, various networking opportunities, and educational programming. You'll also have access to the ECRM Portal for scheduling, note-taking, and tracking follow-ups.
