CASRO

The “Premier Event” for leaders of survey research companies. In line with the conference theme - "Anticipating Trends; Creating Your Future", sessions throughout the conference will focus on identifying market forces and positioning research businesses for future success. Attendees will also benefit from an unparalleled exchange among the industry’s top strategists and learn from the experiences of their peers in all areas of business. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with dozens of exhibitors showcasing a variety of services and technologies. Networking opportunities include meals, cocktail hours, and session breaks. You can also participate in a variety of recreational activities including golf, deep-sea fishing, tennis, and shopping.

Registration
Pre-registration is required for all attendees and is open through Thursday, October 9. Walk-in registrations are not permitted. If you register by August 22 you will receive the early bird discounted rate and automatically become eligible for a drawing to win a free weekend at The Breakers (nights of Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, room and tax only).

The Breakers, Palm Beach
One of the most renowned luxury oceanfront resorts in the world, The Breakers was built in 1926 on 140 acres on the island of Palm Beach, Florida, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Created in the Italian Renaissance-style, inspired by the magnificent Italian villas of the 1400s, The Breakers’ timeless atmosphere reflects the elegant comforts and personalization of a grand residence. Amenities include two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 20,000-square-foot luxury spa with ocean-view fitness center, Mediterranean-style beach club overlooking one-half mile of private beach, five swimming pools, a variety of water sports, 10 tennis courts and an extensive program of family and children's activities. The resort also features a selection of eight restaurants and an array of on-site boutiques with distinctive merchandise.
Address: One South County Road, Palm Beach, Florida, USA 33480
Telephone/Room Reservations: (561) 655-6611
Tour the Breakers Online

Room Reservations/Deadlines

CASRO has reserved a limited number of sleeping rooms at The Breakers at a rate of $305 plus tax, per night for the nights of Sunday, October 12 through Friday, October 17. Contact Room Reservations at the Hotel directly at (561) 655-6611 and reference CASRO to receive this rate. The hotel room/rate reservation deadline is Friday, September 26, 2008, however, this rate is only guaranteed as long as rooms are available in the CASRO room reservation block, so we suggest making your room reservation early. If the room block is full, or it is after September 26, the hotel will take reservations on a rate and space availability basis only.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information
The exhibit space is a six-foot table exhibit. Full booths, including pop-ups, are NOT permitted. A maximum of two retractable banner stands will be permitted but can only be placed behind your table. The total width of both 33rd Annual Conference: “Anticipating Trends; Creating Your Future” banner stands cannot exceed six feet. The exhibit fee includes the exhibit space and conference registration for two people as well as wireless Internet in the exhibit area. Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities for CASRO's 33rd Annual Conference are limited and sell out quickly. Reserve your place and ensure proper exposure for your company now. Click here for more information.

About Palm Beach

Palm Beach County is known as the 'Golf Capitl of America' and presents "The Best of Everything®" – from a multitude of accommodations, including more than 200 hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses, world-class shopping, 47 miles of pristine beaches, distinctive attractions and an assortment of cultural venues to top-notch festivals and edge-of-your-seat sporting activities. This sub-tropical paradise is rich in diversity and home to warm, friendly people. Climate: Due to its close proximity to the Gulfstream, Palm Beach enjoys a sub-tropical climate noted for year-round breezes and moderate temperatures ranging from 75-85 degrees. In mid-October, the average daily high is 78 degrees and the average daily low is 72 degrees. Click here for more information about Palm Beach.

Air Travel to Palm Beach

The Breakers is located only six miles from Palm Beach International Airport, 42 miles from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and 72 miles from Miami International Airport. All major car rental firms operate at these airports and taxi and limousine services are also available. Both Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike provide easy access to South County Road (via Okeechobee Boulevard), which leads to the entrance of The Breakers.

33rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

6:00 p.m. – Welcome Cocktail Reception
Meet Wednesday’s Keynote Speaker, Mark J. Penn
Mark, Worldwide President and CEO, Burson-Marsteller, President of Penn Schoen Berland, and author of Microtrends: The Small Forces Changing the World, will be available to discuss his thoughts on how smaller currents and discreet demographics—not megatrends—are creating social niches and driving unique patterns of change in politics, business and society. A copy of his book will be given to each attendee during this book signing and reception

7:30 p.m. – Dinner on your own
Contact the hotel concierge directly for more information.

DAY I - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 – “Creating Trends”

7:30 a.m. - Registration opens; Continental breakfast with exhibitors
8:30 a.m. - Conference Welcome
Chet Zalesky, 2008 CASRO Board Chair, CEO, CMI
Diane K. Bowers, President, CASRO
Annual Conference Committee Co-Chairs
Kevin Menk, Managing Partner, Strategic Resource Partners, L.L.C.
Lynnette Cooke, CEO, The Ziment Group

9:00 a.m. - Keynote Address: "Creating Trends" sponsored by
Less than a month from the U.S. Presidential election, "Master of the Message" (Time magazine) and "King of the Polls" (London Times) Mark Penn provides insights while drawing from his extensive background in survey research and from his bestseller Microtrends.
- Mark Penn, CEO of Burson-Marsteller, President of Penn Schoen Berland

10:30 a.m. - Break with Exhibitors

11:00 a.m. - Session I: "Cutting the Cord"
"Research 2.0" techniques and technologies have come of age. This panel discussion will center on emerging areas such as mobile applications – what topics make sense for mobile surveys, as well as what technologies and techniques can optimize results? Researching the power of word of mouth – not simply the content, but the impetus, sequence and source. What are non-users asking? What are users saying? How do customers actually persuade their friends to use a product? And finally, the research implications of “the wisdom of crowds” - touching on the central theory in James Surowiecki's seminal 2004 book, that a diverse collection of independently deciding individuals is likely to make certain types of decisions and predictions better than individuals or even experts. How can researchers tap into this wisdom and present it in ways beneficial to clients?
- Andrew Morrison, Chairman and CEO, Market Strategies International, Session Moderator
- John M. Boyle, Executive Vice President, Abt SRBI: "Mobile Device Research"
- Ed Keller, CEO, Keller Fay Group: "Tracking Word of Mouth"
- Theo Downes-Le Guin, Senior Vice President, Market Strategies International: "Wisdom of Crowds Research Implications"

12:30 p.m. - Lunch (Provided) sponsored by

1:45 p.m. - Session II: "Finding and Creating Value"
Concurrent Sessions - choose two of the following sessions:

A. Brainstorming: “Finding the Next Big Idea”
How to facilitate a brainstorming session

Making the most of this effective ―interactive communications‖ tool to stimulate group engagement and creative thinking. Learn how to prepare participants, involve people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, omit criticism and encourage involvement.
- Cindy Diamond, Principal Strategist & Facilitator, IGNiTE, a member of Strategic Resource Partners

B. Scenario Planning: “Expecting the Unexpected”
How to facilitate “what if” scenario planning

It’s a technique proven successful in the war room and the board room. Scenario planning enables strategists to learn about the future by crafting a series of diverging stories and extrapolating uncertain and heavily influencing driving forces. Learn how to facilitate scenario-planning sessions based on various anticipated trends that will guide your future strategy and help you anticipate hidden weaknesses and inflexibilities in your organization.
- Karyn Schoenbart, President and Chief Operating Officer, The NPD Group, Inc.

C. Financial & Compensation Survey Mining: “Stats Don’t Lie”
Finding value in your annual CASRO survey data

What trends in business operations, management, and investment are revealed in CASRO’s industry financial surveys? What key data tables provide the most insight for your business’ strategic planning? How does the financial survey help you understand emerging industry services and business trends? Answers to these questions and many others regarding our industry can be found in CASRO's industry statistics. Gain insight on how you can best utilize these valuable industry benchmarks to track the efficiency and progress of your business.
- Michael Mitrano, Principal, Transition Strategies Corporation

D. Contract Negotiating: “Managing the Nightmare Contract”
How to manage contracts and procurement

Closing the deal may not be cause for celebration if the resulting contract is littered with pitfalls. Navigating the procurement process and wading through the legalese of agreements will try anyone’s patience. Watch and participate in an interactive mock contract negotiation. Get some expert legal advice on where you can push back and when you should just walk away. Learn how to successfully negotiate the most difficult contract to the benefit of client and research company.
- Duane L. Berlin, CASRO General Counsel, Principal, Lev & Berlin, P.C.
- Peter Milla, Chief Information Officer, Survey Sampling International, L.L.C.
- Mike Slotznik, Legal Counsel, Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group

2:45 p.m. - Session III: Finding and Creating Value – Concurrent Sessions continued

3:30 p.m. - Break with Exhibitors

4:00 p.m. - Annual Business Meeting

For CASRO members only, this session includes the Board Chair’s Report, President’s Report, and other reports on CASRO activities and initiatives
- Chet Zalesky, 2008 CASRO Board Chair
- Diane K. Bowers, CASRO President
- Andrew Morrison, 2009 CASRO Board Chair

4:45 p.m. - Open Forum

5:45 p.m. - Adjournment Day I

6:15 p.m. - Cocktail Reception sponsored by
7:30 p.m.- Dinner on the Ocean Lawn

7:45 p.m. - Cocktails on the Ocean Lawn sponsored by

Day II - Thursday, October 16, 2008 - "How to Thrive in a Shrinking World"

7:30 a.m. - Breakfast (provided)
Meet Thursday’s Keynote Speaker, Terri Morrison
Terri, President, GTC and author of Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands - Your passport to international business protocol, will be available to discuss her book and ideas about doing business in a global marketplace. A copy of her book will be given to each attendee.

8:30 a.m. – Keynote Address sponsored by

Call her the etiquette consultant to the business world. Terri can teach anyone to behave appropriately in practically any situation in any country around the globe. She’s trained staff members of NATO, American Airlines and dozens of other leading international organizations and now she’s here to help you. Terri will identify cultural issues involved in doing business in virtually any country, while comparing different negotiating styles, concepts of time, decision-making processes, and protocol. On this global excursion you’ll be entertained by examples of cultural blunders and successes, and will walk away with guidelines to help close a deal in any far-off land.
- Terri Morrison, President, GTC

9:30 a.m. - Session V: International Game Plans from All-World Players

How do research corporations build and enhance an integrated international program? Find out from an executive who travels the globe to ensure his company’s mission is being fulfilled in every business segment on every continent. Hear firsthand the challenges of managing a global research business and multi-country research projects and learn from the CEO’s checklist for consistent, multi-nation management and implementation.
- Eric Salama, Chairman and CEO, Kantar

10:30 a.m. - Break with Exhibitors

11:00 a.m. - Session VI: “Near Sighted/Far Sighted: Bringing Offshoring Into Focus”
Client Perspective: Hear one research company discuss the details of their off-shoring strategy. What led to the decision to partner with offshore suppliers? How did they go about selecting specific partners? What has worked and what has not? You’ll hear the answers to these questions while learning how to frame your due diligence and avoid barriers.
- John Tapper, CEO, Ziment Custom
- Mihir Kittur, Chief Operating Officer, Ugam Solutions
- Madhav Mirani, Chief Marketing Officer, Ugam Solutions

Offshore Supplier Perspective: Understanding the viewpoint of the offshore supplier is crucial to building a long-term, effective relationship. Discussion will involve cultural and business issues that impact a successful partnership. Learn what you should and should not expect from your international partner.
- Ugam Solutions

Exhibitors & Sponsors

12:00 p.m. - Adjournment Day II
Golf, Tennis, Deep Sea Fishing Trip, Shopping Trip

Time on your own: Recreation

Take some time to enjoy the world-class amenities at The Breakers including the tennis courts, pool, oceanfront beach and luxurious spa. Golfers can join the outing at The Breakers Reese Jones Course. Sea lovers can venture out on an exciting deep-sea fishing excursion. You may also enjoy the high-end shopping districts of Palm Beach with our free shuttles.

12:05 p.m. – Golf Outing: The Breakers Rees Jones® Course sponsored by

12:45 p.m. – Deep-Sea Fishing Trip

1:00 p.m. – Shopping: City Place/Antique Row Shopping (Free Shuttle Service)

1:15 p.m. – Tennis at The Breakers courts

12: 05 p.m. – Shuttle departs for CASRO Golf Outing

The Breakers Rees Jones® Course is acclaimed as one of the premier golf experiences in the southeast U.S., reflecting the incomparable new-classic style of eminent golf course architect Rees Jones. The 7,100+ yard, par 72 layout caters to every level of golfer and provides multiple options thanks to challenging water carries, varied pin positions and large landing areas from all tees. The shuttle to the course leaves The Breakers at 12:05 p.m. Estimated time to the course is 10 minutes. Lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. and all golf foursomes will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a shotgun start. The estimated time to play the course is 5 hours. The cost of $355 includes transportation to and from the hotel, all fees, and a lunch upon arrival at the course. Register through CASRO, not the course. More information about the course can be accessed here.

12: 45 p.m. – Shuttle departs for Deep-Sea Fishing Trip

Enjoy fishing in Sailfish Alley, the closest point to the Gulf Stream in Florida. Among countless other species, Kingfish, Wahoo, Pompano, Dolphin, Amberjack, and of course, Sailfish flourish in these waters. Each fully equipped boat holds a maximum of six guests, complete with a captain and crew. The shuttle to the dock leaves The Breakers at 12:45 p.m. The estimated time to the dock is 15 minutes. The four-hour excursion includes dry snacks, beer, soda and water, license, gear, and live bait. The cost of $280 includes transportation to and from the hotel and all fees. Lunch is not included. The shuttle will return to the hotel by 5:15 p.m.

1: 00 p.m. – Shuttle departs to CityPlace and Antique Row

We have arranged for free shuttle bus service to and from these popular shopping areas. Antique Row: Journey through this charming shopping district with over 45 antique stores offering an impressive selection of 17th to 20th century antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco and modern furnishings. Heralded as one of the east coast's premier antique districts and considered the "antique design center" of Florida. CityPlace: Reminiscent of an Italian town center, CityPlace is one of the top visitor destinations in Palm Beach County with premier shopping, dining and entertainment. Featuring Macy’s, Muvico/IMAX, Barnes and Noble, Anushka Spa Salon and Cosmedical Centre, over 60 shops, 25 restaurants and regular live entertainment on the plaza in front of dancing water show fountains. Drop-off and pick-up times will take place continuously until 5:00 p.m. Lunch is not included.

1: 15 p.m. – Tennis at The Breakers Ocean Clubhouse

We have reserved courts at the hotel’s Har-Tru courts, voted one of the "top 50 tennis resorts" by Tennis Magazine. There is no cost, just send us an email to let us know if you want to play.

7:00 p.m. - Cocktail Reception with Exhibitors sponsored by

8:15 p.m. – Dinner and Awards sponsored by

9:30 p.m. – Cocktails & Cigars sponsored by

Day III - Friday, October 17, 2008

8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (provided)

8:45 a.m. - Session VII: Great Expectations: What Clients Want and How You Can Deliver

Honesty, proactive communication, and deliverables that make them look like heroes are among the criteria research executives seek in their relationships with agencies. Other key attributes in building strong bonds is the ability to solve problems in unique ways and a capacity to distill complex data sets into practical action items. Be ready to answer these demands. Think like a strategic partner, better understand your client’s business, and provide more dynamic insights and richer knowledge. Listen to our client’s vision of agency relationships in our changing global environment.
- Jim Nyce, former Senior Vice President, Global CIS, Kraft Foods
- Rakesh Sheth, Vice President, Marketing, HSBC Finance (A subsidiary of HSBC North America)

9:45 a.m. - Financial Highlights & Projections
A members only review of CASRO’s annual financial and compensation surveys; forecasting.
- Robin B. Arnold, CEO, The Gilmore Research Group

10:00 a.m. - Financial/Compensation Survey Breakouts
Breakouts for in-depth review of financial and compensation surveys by company size and type; for CASRO members only.

11:00 a.m. - Break with Exhibitors

11:15 a.m. - Session VIII: “Feasting on Feedback: Respondent Insights You Can't Ignore”
The Voice of the Respondent: You may not consider respondents as customers, but you need to. Face it, without respondents we can’t do surveys. Their satisfaction is paramount to the success of each survey and ensures higher participation rates in the future. You also might gain some valuable knowledge that can improve survey design and delivery.
- Jacqueline Lorch, Vice President, Knowledge Management, Survey Sampling International, L.L.C.

Improving Respondent Engagement in Online Surveys: Reminders, incentives, survey design, flash applications - there are many variables researchers can tinker with to make the survey-taking process more appealing. What methods have proven most effective?
- Dan Fitzgerald, Vice President, Americas, GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.)

12:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks
- Kevin Menk, Managing Partner, Strategic Resource Partners, L.L.C.
- Lynnette Cooke, CEO, Ziment Group
- Chet Zalesky, 2008 CASRO Board Chair

12:45 p.m. – CONFERENCE ADJOURMENT Text Box:

Registration Information/Fees (all fees in US Dollars)

Pre-registration is required - walk-in registrations are not permitted. Registration closes on Thursday, October 9, 2008. The registration fee includes lunch on Wednesday, breakfast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, all breaks on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, cocktail receptions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and the dinner receptions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Thursday afternoon has been set aside for recreation. Wireless internet will be provided to each registrant in the exhibit area at no cost. Cancellations on or before October 3 will be charged a $175 cancellation fee. Cancellations after October 3 and no-shows will forfeit the entire registration fee, but substitutions can be made at any time. Please contact CASRO at (631) 928-6954 if you need to make a substitution.

CASRO Member Fees (all fees in U.S. Dollars)

Early Bird (registration and payment received on or before September 12, 2008)
$995: First registrant from member company/organization
$925: Additional registrants from member company/organization

Regular registration (registered and/or paid after September 12, 2008)
$1,150: First registrant from member company/organization
$1,075: Additional registrants from member company/organization

ABEP (Brazil), AMAI (Mexico), ESOMAR, MRIA (Canada), and MRS Member Fees:

If you or your company is a member of these organizations, this rate applies:
Regular Registration
$1,150: All registrants (CASRO member rate)

Non-Members Fees:

$1,395: All registrants
(If your company applies for membership by December 1, 2008, CASRO will refund the non-member surcharge for the conference.)

Guests/Spouses - Evening Cocktail Reception and Dinner:

Wednesday and/or Thursday Evening
$125: Each night
This registration only includes the cocktail reception and dinner for one or both nights. Spouses and guests may not attend any other conference session/meal unless they register separately as a conference registrant and pay the full registration fee.

Printable Program

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