MILAN, Italy, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

On the 15^th to the 17^th of October 2012, 65 of Europe's most influential thought leaders will settle into the Meliá Milano Hotel for two days as they attend GDS International's highly anticipated sixth Next Generation Retail summit in Italy. http://www.ngretailsummit.com

The event is specifically designed to provide forward-thinking executives with a client-focused platform from which to assess emerging trends and strategies that are proving crucial to organisational effectiveness in 2012 and beyond. The summit's programme combines roundtable discussions with closed-door meetings and next generation technology solutions that have been carefully selected to address core challenges faced by decision makers in the retail sector. Key topics to be covered at this upcoming summit include: eCommerce, CRM / loyalty management, customer analytics and business intelligence, to name a few.

There will be a senior selection of delegates in attendance, including: Jonathan Vardon, IT Director, Boots; Andreas Kranabitl, MD for SPAR Austria; Bent Holm, COO for Netto; Dr Lars Finger, VP Corporate Development and eCommerce for Otto Group; and Pierre-Albert Carlier, CIO for LVMH.

Luca Conci, Long Term Planning & Forecasting Director for Luxottica, attended last year's event and was particularly impressed by the networking opportunities that were made available throughout the two-days. In her own words: "The NGR Summit was very effective in building my business network and getting to know peers in an informal environment, whilst gaining insight into the trends and various retail topics at a detailed level, enough to stimulate follow up activities."

Amy Darlison, Delegate Manager for the event, said: "With just over three months to go until Europe's leading Retail Event, we are delighted to welcome some of the industry's top movers and shakers to Milan to share their thoughts and ideas on the future trends and challenges that the industry is facing.

"This intimate gathering of 65 C-level executives ensures a bespoke itinerary where the content is determined and shaped by the delegation. The NG20 advisory board has helped build an agenda that will undoubtedly be the event's most exciting meeting yet. Milan, notably one of Europe's most influential fashion capitals, is a great location to host such a prestigious gathering for our sponsors and delegates to discuss the future of retail."

For more information, please visit http://www.ngretailsummit.com

About GDS International

GDS International is one of the most innovative events and media companies worldwide - and a globally renowned producer of business-to-business summits, conferences, online information and advisory group gatherings. Founded in 1993, GDS International specialises in meeting the B2B marketing needs of our clients. Having a strong presence in mature industrial sectors but a finger on the pulse of emerging markets - as well as up-and-coming B2B business verticals - means we are perfectly placed to capitalise on the exciting developments brought about by the advent of a globalised economy. Our value proposition is simple: we deliver tangible business results from world-class events.

http://www.gdsinternational.com    

Contact: Kimberley Hogarth

kimberley.hogarth@gdsinternational.com

+44-1179-261-420

SOURCE GDS International