Chicago, Il.  November 12, 1999.  "The Internet or World Wide Web or Web or simply the Net is creating quite a stir in the business world," said  George Matyjewicz, keynote speaker at the 1999 Collectibles Business & Gift Executive Conference in Chicago.  "It is growing like nothing before, and, for many business owners and executives, it is frightening and overwhelming." 

The conference was attended by 400 executives from  manufacturers, wholesalers and importers who supply the Collectibles Business & Gift industry.

"We hear typical questions like:"
 

• Is the Internet really International? 
• Who shops on the Internet? 
• Why do people shop the Internet? 
• Why do I care – I'm a supplier?
• Is anybody making money on the Internet?
• What about business-to-business and channel conflicts? 
• Are my competitors on the Internet? 
• How do I fulfill orders?
• What about this security issue I hear about?
• Is it difficult to establish an Internet presence?
• How do people find me on the Internet?

Hopefully we will answer these questions today. 


What is this World Wide Web?
Many are comparing the Net to radio, TV and cable TV, which is wrong. If you don't learn anything today, at least come away with this:

The 

World Wide Web 
is not merely an 
advertising media!
 

And...
 

It is not like the
Hula Hoop or Pet Rock!
It's here to stay
 

You don't have user interaction on radio or TV and you don't have the ability for millions of people to communicate with each other and tell about how great (or not so great) you are. We are experiencing a phenomenal information explosion – consumers are learning more about companies, products and services than ever before. And they can purchase from you as though they were in a store! It is like nothing you have ever seen before. Those who treat it as an advertising media, are missing the boat. Consider these statistics:

• 17% of autos sold this year were done so on the Net 
• It is estimated that $30 billion will be spend on the Net this Christmas
• 17 million US households will shop online this year
Forrester http://www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,164,FF.html
• B2B to be $251 billion next year and $1.4 trillion by 2003 (up from $19 billion in 1997) 
Forrester Research http://www.nua.ie/surveys/?f=VS&art_id=905355359&rel=true
• 20% of Europeans are online, and they're sophisticated users 
Cyberscan http://www.nua.ie/surveys/?f=VS&art_id=905355361&rel=true
Jupiter http://www.jup.com/jupiter/press/releases/1999/1018.html
• Online transactions will cost the USPS $17 billion over the next 10 years (per US Government study)
http://www.nua.ie/surveys/?f=VS&art_id=905355356&rel=true

The World Wide Web is also known as "The Great Equalizer." All companies are equal - the size of a computer screen! The Net today is where PC's were in late 1970's. Now, who can be without a PC? 

Why is this of interest to you as a supplier?
As a supplier, it behooves you to know who is buying your products from your retail channel. Present the best picture of your company. The Net is an excellent way to learn. You can post test pages to your site and track how many people visit. Or drive visitors to the retail channel.
 

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