Conference FAQ

Answers to your questions about the Social Summit.

Event and Registration FAQ

Who attends the Bazaarvoice Social Summit?

Over 500 marketing professionals from the retail, manufacturing, financial services, and travel industries will plan their future social strategies at Social Summit 2012. Network with executives and key decision makers responsible for marketing, e-commerce, product and brand management, and social marketing management.

Last year’s attendees included:

Two pie charts showing attendees of the 2011 Bazaarvoice Social Commerce Summit, divided by Title and Vertical. First Chart (Titles): Executives/Directors = 47%, Managers = 42%, Press, etc. = 11%. Second chart (Verticals): Retail = 54%, Manufacturing = 34%, Financial Services = 12%
What will this year’s presentations be about?

The Summit is two exciting days of immersive learning and sharing around building and succeeding with a customer-centric business. For the full Summit schedule, visit our Agenda page.

Our attendees asked for guided learning tracks, and we’re delivering. For the first time, you can tailor your Summit experience to your specific business needs based on these customized session tracks:

  • Track A: Jump-start your Loyalty Loop

    Managers: start building customer-centric programs

    Learn how to turn your new social program into an engine that generates more loyal, profitable customers. Get inspired as industry leaders cover tried and true best practices. You’ll leave with specific strategies you can put into place on Monday morning and the examples, benchmarks, and connections to help you stay on track.

  • Track B: Reach Customers Everywhere

    Directors: turn social data into smarter decisions

    You have a successful social program, but know you could do more with it. This track will show you how to use the social data you have to reach customers anywhere – through ads, on Google, on Facebook, in retail stores, and on mobile devices – with more effective and timely messages. Specific tactics from industry experts give you a path to an exponentially higher return on your social program.

  • Track C: Create the Insights-Fueled Organization

    CMOs, CEOs, and high-level decision-makers: put customers at the heart of your business

    Savvy executives recognize social as an untapped source of big data that can give them a competitive edge. Learn how your peers are using social to help all levels and functions of their businesses make customer-centric decisions. Leave with strategies to transform your marketing, product development, merchandising, and customer support functions.

Can you help me convince my boss?

Here’s a sample letter to help you tell your boss about the opportunities available to you at the Summit:

I’d like to request your approval to attend the Bazaarvoice Social Summit, this April 11-13 in Austin, Texas, to discover how to tap customer conversations for intelligence that can fuel smarter decisions across our business.

The Summit is our best chance to learn from the social successes and failures of some of the world’s best brands in using customer conversations to drive real ROI. The exclusive event is two days of keynotes, industry announcements, hands-on product demos, and intimate roundtables, with forums for me to get answers that will jumpstart our next phase of social programs. I think my attendance will be especially helpful with [insert initiative you’re working on].

Plus, I’ll get to network with and learn from over 500 marketing professionals from top brands, and business thought leaders like Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired magazine, and David McCandless, visual data journalist. I’ll leave the Summit with actionable steps we can take to better understand our customers and proactively meet their needs, in order to drive revenue and deepen customer loyalty.

I’ve broken down the approximate cost of my attendance below:

  • Airfare: $300
  • Hotel (2 nights at $189/night): $378
  • Bazaarvoice Social Summit: $895 (Early Bird pricing, ends January 31st)
  • TOTAL: $1573

Thank you for considering this investment. Early Bird pricing ends January 31st, and Bazaarvoice has negotiated a discounted hotel rate if I book early. And right now, we can get a second Summit registration for $100 more, to bring another team member along. I appreciate your immediate attention to my request.

Every team in our company can benefit from the insights hidden in social data, and the Summit will teach me how we can unlock this value for our entire business. You can read more about the Summit here: http://summit.bazaarvoice.com.

I look forward to discussing this with you soon!

How can my company become a sponsor of the Bazaarvoice Social Summit?

Thanks for your interest in sponsoring the Social Summit. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit our Sponsors page and download a sponsor prospectus.

How do I get a registration code?

The Summit is an intimate workshop for social strategists and marketing leaders from the world’s best brands. If you haven’t yet received a registration code, email summit@Bazaarvoice.com to request yours.

I missed the advance registration deadline. Can I register on-site?

As the Social Summit sells out every year, there will be no on-site registration at the event.

I registered, but now I can’t make it. Can I transfer my registration to a colleague?

Yes, you can! You can edit your registration from the link provided in your confirmation email. If you can’t find your confirmation email, please contact summit@bazaarvoice.com.

What happens if I cancel my registration?

Cancellations received by January 31, 2012 will be refunded 50% of the conference fee paid. Cancellations received between February 1 – March 31, 2012 will receive 25% of the conference fee paid. No refunds will be given after March 31, 2012. Any cancellation must be emailed to summit@bazaarvoice.com and approved by a Bazaarvoice representative.

Attendee FAQ (top)

Where can I pick up my badge?

You may pick up your badge in conference room #202 at the AT&T Conference Center during these hours:

  • Wednesday, April 11: 1PM – 7PM
  • Thursday, April 12: 8AM – 6PM
  • Friday, April 13: 8AM – 1PM
What information will be on my badge?

Your name badge will include your first name, last name, title, and company name.

Will there be Wi-Fi available during the Summit?

Yes. The AT&T Conference Center is fully wired for free Wi-Fi throughout the Summit.

What should I wear?

The Summit is laid back, and we want you to be comfortable – leave your suits at home! Dress is casual: jeans, business casual shirts and blouses, and polo shirts welcome.

What will the weather be in Austin in April?

Austin is typically sunny and warm during early April, with highs in the upper 70s. Check back closer to the event for a detailed forecast.

Can children, spouses, and/or friends attend the Summit and/or parties?

The Summit sells out every year, and we have limited space available. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate guests.

Travel FAQ (top)

How long will I be away from the office?

The Social Summit begins at 5pm on Wednesday, April 11th and ends at 12:30pm on Friday, April 13th.

Where should I stay in Austin?

Bazaarvoice has room blocks available at the AT&T Conference Center and the Driskill hotel. Rooms fill up quickly, so please book yours soon. For instructions on booking a room, please visit our Travel page.

I’m driving. Where should I park?

Please find instructions for parking on our Travel page.

Does Bazaarvoice provide shuttle service from the airport to the conference hotel?

Bazaarvoice will not provide transportation from the airport, but there are a variety of options to get downtown. You can contact your hotel for shuttle information, or take the Super Shuttle ($22.00* roundtrip), taxi ($25.00* one way), or private sedan service ($55.00* one way). For more information about transportation, please visit our Travel page.

How early should I leave the conference center to make my flight?

Give yourself 30 minutes to get to the airport from the AT&T Conference Center. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recommends checking in 90 minutes prior to your scheduled flight time.