By Joseph Grove
This article originally published in Self-Service World magazine, Jul/Aug 2006.
San Antonio is beloved for its RiverWalk and revered for its famous landmark, the Alamo. Organizers of The Self-Service & Kiosk Show believe that after their Sept. 28-29 event, plotted just a couple blocks from the storied mission, the Texas town will attach to show attendees with one more emotion: enthusiasm for technology that helps consumers help themselves.
"We are really excited to bring The Self-Service & Kiosk Show to San Antonio," said Terry Thompson, director of shows for NetWorld Alliance, which owns the event (and publishes this magazine). "What a fantastic mix: Technology leading the self-service revolution displayed so close to a key site for the Texas Revolution."
The show, held in previous years in Boston, San Francisco and Orlando, is expected to be the biggest yet — befitting the enormity of its host state. So far, almost 60 exhibitors are committed, and speakers from the self-service industry as well as end-market deployers will conduct five preconference workshops, 18 seminars, two general sessions and one keynote address. About 600 attendees are expected to attend.
In addition, however, the show is expanding with several new features.
The IBM Store of the Future will showcase all of IBM's store-related solutions, including:
- Self-checkout units
- Bottom of the Basket, a self-checkout add-on that uses a camera to detect items under a shopping cart. An automated voice then reminds shoppers of the items and can add them to the shopper's bill. IBM is deploying the solution in partnership with Lane Hawk.
- Anyplace kiosks, including deli-ordering and product-lookup applications.
- Health Zone kiosks, developed with partner Virgin Life Care.
Photo Kiosk Gallery, sponsored by Photo Marketing Association International, will feature a lineup of photo kiosks from various manufacturers, enabling show attendees to make side-by-side comparisons.
C-store Zone will feature c-store-specific applications, including Apunix's pump-side deli-order kiosk.
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| T.Scott Gross will be the keynote speaker at The Self-Service & Kiosk Show. |
IBM is the show's platinum sponsor, Telpar, its silver. Anchor partners include KIOSK Information Systems, Nanonation, PDNB, Source Technologies and St. Clair Interactive.
For more information about the show, visit www.selfservicekiosk.com.
