They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and for Ignite 2022 they’d be right.
While the venue was massive, the buzz for this year’s conference could barely be contained. CATAPULT® Retailers have been restlessly awaiting the opportunity to learn and network face-to-face since August 2019.
For those who made the investment to join us, thank you for your support. And to those who couldn’t make it, check out a few highlights below to see what you missed at Ignite 2022 in Dallas, TX.
Reunited and It Feels So Good
Opening Keynote: Harnessing Innovation with Sara Frasca
Directly following throwback, Dallas-themed intro video was innovation leader Sara Frasca, who outlined fresh approaches to growth, creativity, and transformation. Her inspiring keynote focused on the importance of creativity and how she employs a systematic approach to selecting and launching the ideas that best drive growth and innovation.
Keynote: Extracting Value from the Ignite Experience with Pete Catoe
In this informative presentation, ECRS Founder & CEO, Pete Catoe, charged retailers with intentionality during their time at Ignite. He opened with an ECRS company update and then shared exciting advancements in our product suite:
- CATAPULT Data Warehouse
- ECRS Self-Checkout Product Offerings
- Accelerated Checkout®
- WebCart Recommendation Service & Doordash Delivery
- Produce Recognition
- Our latest integration with SendGrid
Keynote: Building Tattoo-Worthy Customer Loyalty with Ken Schmidt
Former Director of Communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Ken Schmidt, welcomed retailers back on the final day of Ignite to discuss the importance of going beyond the basics to build a tattoo-worthy brand. He took attendees on a journey of branding and challenged retailers with ways to be competitive against today’s household names.
Valuable Sessions to Strengthen Your Skillset
With nearly 35 sessions in a variety of formats, Ignite 2022 participants had ample opportunity to satisfy their yearning for knowledge on key products and resources. Ignite delivered Success Workshops, Keynotes, Breakout Sessions, Round Table Meetings, Product Demos, and other exclusive events for all.
Pre-Conference Success Workshop Day
This year, over half of all retailer attendees registered for the Success Pass to attend our intensive Success Workshop Day. With a focus on CATAPULT WebCart, CATAPULT Reporting, Loyalty & Dynamic Promotions, and Made-to-Order, these Advanced Workshops proved to be the most popular content of the event.
Breakout Sessions
Session content for Ignite 2022 had a special focus on new products and retailer-led sessions. Nearly 30% of all sessions were led by retailers or featured retailer data and product experiences.
Among our diverse content offering, the following sessions made our list of “Top 3 Most Attended”:
- Breakout: Clean Data = Positive Customer Experience
- Breakout: Putting Your ECRS Resources to Work
- Breakout: WebCart’s Recommendation Service
Networking: The Meetings that Matter Most
It had been nearly 1,100 days since the last in-person Ignite – a gap of time that was evident by the explosive energy and excitement during this year’s networking events.
- Monday: Opening Reception in the Product Lab
- Tuesday: Annual Conference Party at the Glass Cactus
- Wednesday: Casual Closing Event at the Texan Station
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here’s a few highlights from our networking events at Ignite 2022.
Conference App & Activity Feed
Another fun way to connect was through the Ignite 2022 Conference App. Back by popular demand, this resource gave retailers a way to stay connected, build schedules, and learn more about products and sponsors.
Celebrating Retailers & ECRS Milestones
Annual Award Ceremony
Caroline Catoe and Pete Catoe returned to the stage to host this year’s Ignite Award Ceremony, highlighting outstanding CATAPULT retailers and their achievements over the past year. See the full award recipients list below:
- Ignite 2022 Award: Redner’s Markets
- Golden Ambassador Award: Adams Fairacre Farms
- True North Leader: North State Grocery
- “One of Us” Awards: Marlon Osborne, Twin Liquors & Mitchell Nol, Harvest Health Foods
- Lighthouse Award: Pepi Foods
- CATAPULT Community Champions: The Briar Patch Co-Op & Tyler Daines, LaBonne’s Markets
- Lifelong Learner Award: MaryLu Martis, Cmart
Ignite 2022 Raffle
Congratulations to Adams Fairacre Farms for winning the Ignite 2022 Raffle during the Award Ceremony on Wednesday morning. Given the choice between an AutoScale and CATAPULT Cash, they chose a new AutoScale to add to their arsenal.
Ignite Click Game: Photo Scavenger Hunt
Competition was fierce as attendees went head-to-head to capture the best moments of the conference. New to Ignite was the “Click” photo scavenger hunt where attendees were challenged to take pictures of key elements of the conference, including keynotes, selfies with sponsors, and search for the elusive CATAPULT Kitty.
Looking Ahead
Words can’t describe how happy we are to be back in-person for Ignite. The amount of focus, effort, and passion that went into this event was unparalleled. ECRS staff could see it, attendees could feel it, and everyone left with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. ECRS has reflected on this event, proud to serve such a collaborative and positive community of retailers just looking to be better.
We hope you’ll join us next year as we continue our mission to leave the communities we serve better than we found them.
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to get updates on Ignite 2023.