We’re just a couple of weeks away from the first eBay: On Location of 2012 (in Denver, CO) and today is the last day for the Early Bird Registration of $59 ($79 after today). I’m excited to be attending this one for a number of reasons. eBayOL gives all of us an opportunity to meet eBay sellers face-to-face and the networking opportunities provided by the 2-day conference cannot be overstated enough. However, I’m also particularly excited at the formal agenda this time around. In addition to moderating a panel focused on Social Mobile Commerce, I’m also looking forward to being part of the audience for a number of social-focused presentations and to the opportunity to see our CEO, John Donahoe, and our president of eBay Global Marketplaces, Devin Wenig, speak to attendees.

Check out the full list of speakers at eBay: On Location.

Check out the full list of sessions at eBay: On Location.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Denver later this month!

Cheers!
RBH

The Leaders in Technology Dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in the Lafite Ballroom at The Wynn. This invitation-only event honors the top technologists, entrepreneurs and policymakers instrumental in furthering technology innovation.

“John Donahoe is an innovative leader whose admirable drive and entrepreneurship has contributed to eBay’s global business success,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “We are thrilled to have John keynote the 2012 CES LIT dinner and look forward to hearing his vision for how technology is changing the future of global commerce.”

I attended my first CES in 1998 and it remains one of my favorite trade shows. I joined the RedLaser / eBay Mobile team there earlier this year:

Notes From The Road: eBay Ink at CES 2011
RedLaser Partner Video from CES 2011
Notes From The Road: eBay Ink at CES 2011 Part 2
Notes From The Road: eBay Ink at CES 2011 Part 3

In the meantime, check out the CEA blog and follow along on Twitter @intlCES.

Cheers!
RBH

Atlanta

Dallas

Chicago

San Jose

I’ve talked about it a lot here on Ink over the years but this is one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever have and that’s because I have the good fortune to be able to travel and meet people face-to-face that use eBay every day to buy, sell or both. I tried to sum this up in a post immediately following the fourth and final eBay: On Location of 2010 with “What’s in an eBay Feedback score…?”

Well, I get to do it again this year because eBay: On Location is back. The first one kicks off in Las Vegas on April 13 & 14. In addition to the many stage presentations, break-out sessions, networking opportunities and guest speakers, I’m hoping to rally our eBay Ink Social Media Sellers that are in attendance for a panel at an after-party craft beer tweetup on the night of the 14th. Look for more info on that closer to the date. In the meantime, check out all the info and take advantage of early bird registration at http://ebayonlocation.com.

Cheers,
RBH

Main stage presentations include the following:
1. Getting the Most Out of eBay: On Location
From selecting the most appropriate courses for you to ideas that will help you maximize your networking opportunities, this course will help you make sure you get the greatest benefit from your time at eBay: On Location.

2. Extreme Listing Makeovers
This engaging course will teach you how to create titles, descriptions, pictures, and designs that will attract buyers. You’ll learn the ideas that work for successful sellers and we’ll have some fun showing you ‘before’ and ‘after’ listings that have undergone dramatic makeovers.

3. eBay: An Evolving Marketplace
Find out about the latest news, trends, and innovations relating to selling on eBay and learn how to apply these strategies and techniques to build your own sales.

4. Selling 101
Learn to maximize your effectiveness as an eBay Seller. This class will walk you through the steps to get started selling and how to get top-dollar for your eBay items.

5. What Do I Sell on eBay?
Want to know how to get great products you can sell on eBay? Learn the many avenues for obtaining the products buyers want, and find out about the latest trends in sourcing.

6. Best Practices for Building Your eBay Business
Come to this powerful course to learn the best practices to grow your eBay business by streamlining operations, marketing yourself successfully, avoiding common pitfalls, and getting ahead of your competition.

7. Marketing Strategies and Synergies
Get an overview of the some of the ways eBay will be driving visitors to the site in 2011 and learn the best practices and key tactics you can use to bring those shoppers to your listings.

8. What Buyers Want
We’ll explore what buyers are looking for, from the right level of detail in your listings to the customer service you provide during and after the sale, to learn what you can do to position yourself for strong sales and satisfied, repeat buyers.

9. Know Your Numbers
Your success as a seller depends on your ability to manage your business. This class will teach you how to measure your business so you can manage it and adapt to change as necessary.

10. Advanced eBay Business Planning
Join us to learn the ins and outs of running a successful eBay business, including creating a business plan, managing budgets and tracking expenses, and being prepared to scale and grow your operations effectively.

11. Innovative Seller Secrets
Back by popular demand! Griff will moderate a panel of sellers as they share their experiences and tips for finding innovative ways to source inventory, selling efficiently and effectively, and delivering great customer service.

12. Pricing, Payments & Shipping
How you set up your listing is key to your success. In this class you’ll learn how to select the best selling format for your item, set pricing, accept electronic payments with PayPal, and pack and ship your item professionally for a great customer experience.

This was my first time attending such an event for eBay. While the crowd had no problem delivering me some tough questions during the eBay panel – I was impressed by how inviting and community minded the crowd was. In just two short days I have made connections that will last for years. And the collective eBay knowledge presented in the room was second to none. Check out this lineup.

Janelle Elms showed sellers how to make Best Match work for them. John “ColderICE” Lawson told sellers how to make their business bigger, badder, and bolder (John’s presentation was quoted multiple times after it was given). Cindy Shebley showed us how to use Facebook for our businesses. Cliff Ennico spoke on tax and legal answers. Marsha Collier spoke on customer service as the new marketing. Melinda Jackson showed sellers how to start and market Bay seller groups. Debbie Levitt spoke on store and listing designs that drive sales. Lynn Dralle covered product sourcing. And Alex Shui, Amanda Thomas, and Griff joined me on an eBay employee panel.

Informative and fun has been one of the unspoken mantras of eBay Radio and eBetsy, Griff and Lee kept the legacy going in grand style.

And on a side note, I want to thank Melinda Jackson and all of the twitter folks for campaigning to get me to the party. Let’s hope I can make it back next year! (Hopefully alongside RBH)

The 2010 eBay Developers Conference is just around the corner (June 8 – 10) and it’s looking like a great lineup of speakers and presentations…

* Renee J. James, Sr. VP and GM, Software and Services Group, Intel Corporation
* Amitabh Srivastava, Sr. VP, Server and Cloud Division, Microsoft
* Martyn Mallick, Sr. Director, Strategic Alliance, Research in Motion
* Gene Alvarez, Research VP, Gartner
* John Donahoe, President and CEO, eBay Inc.

For a full list of keynote presenters, CLICK HERE

To join in the conversation on Twitter, use the hashtag #ebaydc10 and follow @ebaydevcon for updates. Be sure to subscribe to the eBay Developers Program blog too!

eBay Dev Con 2010 Quick Links
For a full schedule CLICK HERE
For a full list of sessions CLICK HERE
For a full break down of registration deals, CLICK HERE
For hotel and travel information (including codes for discounted room rates), CLICK HERE

Who Should Attend?
* Savvy developers who want to create better, more profitable applications for eBay buyers and sellers
* Innovative entrepreneurs who want to learn how to use eBay to grow their businesses
* Anyone who’s interested in learning the future of eBay and e-commerce in general

Cheers!
RBH

From the INVITE:

After registering at eBay on Location in Dallas, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Friday, May 7th, from 4 to 7 p.m., join us at the Top of the Hyatt Regency Tower Ballroom, in the Ball!! Thanks to our sponsors eBay ProStores, eBay AdCommerce, Outright.com, Stamps.com and Kabbage.com admission is FREE and the first 100 who arrive get their first drink FREE! This event will have 3 cash bars for our attendees to enjoy!

So join us for a gorgeous sunset reception w/three fully stocked bars exclusively for our attendees and let’s welcome eBay on Location Staffers, Attendees, & Sponsors in style! See below for more details:

Hyatt Regency Wolfgang Puck Ballroom, at the top of the Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency Hotel, downtown Dallas, TX ~ 8 p.m. to 12 midnight

Cheers!
RBH

My interview with Lorrie was originally intended to air to an internal audience – I had planned on putting this video together for employees only – but thought that the conversation was timely and a good Q&A session for external folks too. I particularly liked Lorrie’s challenge to all eBay employees. I couldn’t agree more.

Cheers,
RBH

Enjoy!

Cheers,
RBH

Enjoy!

Cheers,
RBH