[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/06\/11\/worlds-biggest-networking-event\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/06\/11\/worlds-biggest-networking-event\/","headline":"The essentials: Top 5 sessions at the world\u2019s biggest networking event","name":"The essentials: Top 5 sessions at the world\u2019s biggest networking event","description":"The world's biggest networking event is kicking off next week with SAP's SAPPHIRE NOW. Grab your free pass and sign up for these can't-miss sessions today. ","datePublished":"2020-06-11","dateModified":"2023-02-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/mark-schaefer\/#Person","name":"Mark Schaefer","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/mark-schaefer\/","identifier":425,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/efa2391cb061a07a6a5d30c841d8ebbf3d5a0a98a15279bcf84e8bdd6f2d7230?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/efa2391cb061a07a6a5d30c841d8ebbf3d5a0a98a15279bcf84e8bdd6f2d7230?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/world\u2019s-biggest-networking-event.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/world\u2019s-biggest-networking-event.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/06\/11\/worlds-biggest-networking-event\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/","name":"Customer Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_experience","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q984142"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/customer-experience-general\/","name":"Customer Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_experience","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q984142"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/intelligent-enterprise\/","name":"Intelligent Enterprise","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Intelligent_enterprise","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q6044119"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/marketing-general\/","name":"Marketing","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marketing","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q39809"]}],"wordCount":1215,"articleBody":"This week, I\u2019ve provided inside information on the world’s biggest networking event, and how SAP is opening the doors to a path-finding, five-day virtual event (SAPPHIRE NOW). Today, I\u2019m providing my hand-picked conference guide with the essential sessions for marketing and business leaders in my audience.SAP is transforming its massive annual event to\u00a0an online virtual experience. In previous years, this would have required thousands of dollars for travel and a ticket \u2014 and an invitation \u2014 but this year the experience is FREE and open to everyone.And yes, they have Sting.SAPPHIRE NOW offers a variety of executive presentations plus 11 different content tracks at the world’s biggest networking event:Business Technology PlatformCustomer ExperienceEnterprise Resource PlanningExperience ManagementFinanceHuman ResourcesIndustriesIntelligent EnterpriseProcurementSmall and Midsize EnterpriseSupply Chain and ManufacturingWith more than 50 speakers involved with this virtual stage, I\u2019ll point out the\u00a0five events\u00a0that would be most relevant to the {grow} blog audience. I\u2019ll be attending these sessions myself and I hope to see you there, too!SAP has more than 400,000 customers and countless partners and stakeholders from around the world. I think it will be fascinating to see how the company pulls off a virtual event of this scale!First step: Grab your\u00a0click here to grab your\u00a0FREE all-access virtual pass!Each session will be a blend of live and pre-recorded content. You can view the\u00a0entire line-up here, but following is the specific programming I\u2019m looking forward to most.The world’s biggest networking event: The sessions you don’t want to miss1. Customer ExperienceJune 16 11:30 a.m. Eastern TimeThis session will be extremely relevant to anybody in marketing today. There is so much pressure on our profession to own the 360-degree view of the customer experience. I predict that in the next few years, the role of marketing will be substantially transformed around context and experience.That\u2019s why this session is essential and number one on my list.This digital experience is jam-packed with outstanding speakers and topics including: Customer experience trends and disruptions Case studies from grocers,\u00a0Bayern Munich, pharmaceutical, automotive, and healthcare A discussion on brand loyalty between my friend\u00a0Denise Yohn\u00a0and Adam Savage, Former Co-Host and Executive Producer, Mythbusters Building B2C customer experience into a B2B business Future-proofing your customer experience \u2026 like I said, ESSENTIAL VIEWING!2. Keynote talk by SAP CEO Christian Klein + StingJune 15\u00a0 10:45 a.m. Eastern TimeI\u2019ve watched Mr. Klein in action a few times and he\u2019s a different breed of leader. He\u2019s young and relatively new to the job, having become the sole CEO back in April. He\u2019s passionate. He wears sneakers. And I can\u2019t wait to hear what he has to say.The main purpose of this corporate event is to introduce new ideas and provide some technology announcements. I expect a lot of that. But isn\u2019t it going to be fascinating to hear a CEO keynote speech in the pandemic era?The world is in turmoil. Most SAP customers have had their markets rocked and their supply chains upended. The very heart and soul of organizations is being transformed. What does SAP have to say about that? This will be captivating.Also, Sting will make an appearance in this time slot. What\u2019s not to like?3. Small and Mid-sized business trendsJune 18\u00a0 1:30 Eastern TimeThis session is being created to explore the context of smaller businesses in the global crisis.With \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d now obsolete, companies must reimagine how they operate and engage with customers. Technology can play a new role in enhancing flexibility and responsiveness. The theme of this session is PIVOT\u00a0and this will be a very energizing event.This session is being created to explore the context of smaller businesses in the global crisis.I\u2019m particularly excited to hear some of the speakers and stories presented including:\u2022\u00a0Simon Sinek, author of\u00a0Start with Why.\u2022\u00a0Sarah Evans, a friend of mine and an acclaimed thought leader in the SME space\u2022 Chris Turner, who will show how he is using technology to build a sports analytics company\u2022 Author\u00a0Simon T. Baily\u00a0will be talking about \u201cshifting your brilliance\u201d\u2022 Miguel Molina, an executive from Avocados from Mexico discussing new marketing practices\u2026 and this is just a glimpse of what is in store. Amazing content.4. Experience ManagementJune 15\u00a0 2 p.m. Eastern TimeTake a look at the theme of this session:\u201cBreak the obsession with measurement with a system of action.\u201dI\u2019m thinking WHAAAAAT?I think this is an extraordinary idea from a mega-company like SAP and we will see some cutting edge thought leadership here.One of my favorite quotes from my book Marketing Rebellion came from Wistia CEO Chris Savage: \u201cYou can keep up with the pulse of culture or you can measure. You probably can\u2019t do both.\u201dAre we starting to see this bold attitude show up in global enterprises? This session promises a bold call to \u201cwork differently\u201d with case studies featuring Under Armour, BMW, and Ernst & Young.Are we truly moving to an enlightened new era of customer experience management? Fasten your seatbelt on this one.5. Industries SessionJune 16\u00a0 \u00a012:30 p.m. Eastern TimeIt was hard to make this last pick. There are SO MANY good sessions to choose from. But I had to go with this topic about industry transformation because it features two interviews led by my long-time friend\u00a0Azeem Azhar.Azeem is a former tech journalist, an entrepreneur, and absolutely one of the most brilliant minds in the world when it comes to the future of business and technology. I decided to make this my final pick just because I can\u2019t pass up an opportunity to see this man in action.Of course there is much more to this session \u2013 seven different speakers, and features from retail, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, on-demand printing, utilities, and consulting practices. Should be a great one.Viewing this conference on multiple levelsThat wraps up my personal guide to SAP SAPPHIRE NOW.On one level, the content will be amazing. But it will also be interesting to see how SAP can pull this off. In my experience, an online global experience like this is unprecedented. The complexity, coordination, and technology involved in this conference is mind-blowing.From a marketing perspective, here are some other ways I will be watching SAP SAPPHIRE NOW:What forms of presentation formats will SAP be pioneering? How could this work for me and my customers?SAP has created SAPPHIRE NOW to replace a beloved annual event that brings people together in one location. How will they reinforce \u201ccommunity\u201d in a virtual setting?The company is on the cutting edge of content marketing. Will I see something inspiring and bold? I\u2019m especially interested in opportunities for interactivity that might occur here.SAPPHIRE NOW is being created across different departments, different countries, and different cultures. How does the company deliver a relevant and seamless experience with that level of complexity?I can\u2019t wait to find out!  Modern business, meet revenue:\u2013 End-to-end connected data\u2013 Engage quickly with a great CX\u2013 Sell anytime, anywhereGet going TODAY.This post was syndicated with permission from\u00a0Businessesgrow.com.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/06\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"The essentials: Top 5 sessions at the world\u2019s biggest networking event","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/06\/11\/worlds-biggest-networking-event\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]