Alibaba.com e-Business Champions of the Year 2008 - North America
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18 June 2008 - CHICAGO, IL - Alibaba.com hosted its inaugural e-Business Champions Award Ceremony for North America on 18 June, 2008 at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center. Co-sponsored by the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business Asia-Pacific Group, this award celebrates innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Master of Ceremony, Cliff Hsia of Alibaba.com
"This is a very special landmark for Alibaba.com," commented Kelly Sang, General Manager for Alibaba.com’s US International Business Development & Management team. "For the first time, regional winners from North America will be participating in the AliFest Global e-Business Champion Competition. We feel that our winners exemplify the combination of entrepreneurial innovation and community service that makes each of them a role model for the entire e-Business community. This award recognizes and honors each of them for their achievements."
Keynote Speaker, Arthur Chang, Alibaba.com, VP of Global Sales
Keynote speaker, Arthur Chang, Alibaba.com's VP of Global Sales predicted, "In 5 years, we may not have this event because e-commerce will become part of the everyday practices of every business." He added, "Small businesses realize the value of e-commerce. E-commerce helps businesses find and expand into new markets and reduce the time to source products and supplies. More importantly, e-Commerce puts the small and medium-sized business on the same level as the large multinational corporations."
Speaking at the event, Brandon Dupsky of OnFair.com agreed with Mr. Chang. "E-Commerce is critical for any business today. Online retail is growing four times faster than traditional retail right now." Glenn Williams of Bell Performance, speaking on behalf of winner Gene Rumley, said, "Alibaba.com actually produced more qualified leads for us than all the other services we tested combined. That's a great return on investment."
Meet the 2008 E-Business Champions-North America
Arthur Chang, Glenn Williams, VP, Bell Performance, Inc. (representing Gene Rumley), Kelly Sang, Alibaba.com (from l to r.)
Gene Rumley
Rumley decided to tap into Alibaba.com after he received high quotes from domestic translation service providers for his fuel and oil treatment products company, Bell Performance, Inc., in Lake Mary, FL. Originally a company with all domestic buyers, Rumley decided to look beyond American boundaries to access a worldwide base through the resources at Alibaba.com. As a member since 2006, he has since started using the online marketplace as a resource for personal projects as well.
Kelly Sang, Brandon Dupsky, Owner and CEO, OnFair.com, Arthur Chang (from l to r.)
Brandon Dupsky
As owner and CEO of OnFair.com, Dupsky used the power of technology and e-business to launch his Lincoln, NE, company in the global market. OnFair.com, an online retailer specializing in consumer electronics and surplus inventory, has a projected 2008 revenue of $1 million. Creating relationships with international suppliers and buyers through Alibaba.com, Dupsky was able to have a more competitive and profitable supply channel for his online business. Previously sourcing domestically in the United States, he was no longer able to compete in the global market because of the added expense. Alibaba.com linked him directly to international manufacturers, which allowed him to pass the savings on to his consumers, ultimately revitalizing his business.
Kelly Sang, Phil Weil, Co-Owner and VP, Decobreeze.com, Arthur Chang (from l to r.)
Phil Weil
Before Weil decided to go into the fan business in San Diego, CA, he used Alibaba.com to find the right manufacturers for his products. Decobreeze.com, a manufacturer and distributor of decorative, home décor products, started as collection of fans. After some time, Weil decided if he wanted to grow his business he needed to adapt to his customers’ specific needs. So he started developing new items for the retailers and distributors and again sourced the products through Alibaba.com for quick and effective factory contacts in a variety of product types. Weil describes Alibaba.com as the "a tool that takes us mere mortals and transforms us into superheroes by the click of the mouse."
Arthur Chang, Jane Ivanov, Founder and CEO, Eve Alexander, LLC, Kelly Sang (from l to r.)
Jane Ivanov
Founder and CEO of Eve Alexander LLC, located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivanov has been an Alibaba.com member since 2004. While she was pregnant with her first son, she realized it was very difficult to find attractive lingerie for pregnant women. She set out to change that with EveAlexander.com, maternity and nursing lingerie and apparel. Before launching her new business, Ivanov utilized Alibaba.com to find the right manufacturers to produce her product line at a reasonable cost.
Kelly Sang, Elena Neitlich, Co-Founder and CEO, MomsOnEdge.com, Arthur Chang (from l to r.)
Elena Neitlich
As a solution to her child’s sleeping problem, Neitlich, co-founder and CEO of MomsOnEdge.com, created new products to elicit peace, quiet and good behavior in children. Neitlich' s company, located in Osprey, FL, fills an untapped niche in the children’s market – parenting tools that reduce stress and improve family time. Working on a tight budget, she needed manufacturers that were willing to make only a small quantity of goods. She found the perfect match through Alibaba.com. Neitlich's games and toys have become a hit with children, and are quickly attracting the attention of parents everywhere.
A Fun Night of Networking
17 Jul 2008 01:50
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