The Association of Coupon Professionals Marks 25th Anniversary at Annual Industry Conference

Online, June 7, 2012 (Newswire.com) - DREXEL HILL, PA - The annual Industry Coupon Conference, "Coupon Nation, Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future of Coupons," was held recently in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the Association of Coupon Professionals' (ACP) 25th Anniversary. The event featured keynote speaker Michael Sansolo, senior vice president of the Food Marketing Institute and editor of "Progressive Grocer" magazine.

This annual event is the only conference this year dedicated exclusively to coupons. It discussed the current industry landscape and future trends as well as changing consumer shopping habits and the impact of social networks.

The conference was presented by ACP in collaboration with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), GS1 US, Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) and the Promotion Marketing Association (PMA). The Conference Planning Task Force was led by co-chairs Val Stark of N.C.L. Graphic Specialties and John Irwin of Promotion Eyes, Inc.

The event serves as an ongoing look into important industry trends. "Consumer response to coupons continues to be strong, but it is changing," said ACP Executive Director John Morgan. "For the marketer, it is not deciding between traditional paper distribution or Internet print-at-home or digital coupon, it is traditional coupon, and Internet print-at-home and digital coupon."

Noteworthy industry issues were highlighted throughout the conference. These include: traditional coupons continue to grow; usage of Internet print-at-home coupons continues to evolve; GS1 Databar adoption is happening as retailers are reading them on their POS systems and manufacturers are releasing Data bar only coupons.. Coupon Counterfeiting is ongoing and retailers and manufacturers are using tools that are being developed to combat the issue.

As the keynote, Sansolo offered a diverse, in-depth and unique view of the changing nature of today's shoppers and employees, business competition and the wide-ranging impact of economic issues. Over the years, Sansolo has developed an excellent perspective on the changing nature of business today and the challenge of success tomorrow.

Google's Lisa Landsman presented how technology has enhanced the path to purchase, explaining the "Zero moment of Truth" and the journey to purchase decision incorporating innovative technologies and digital incentives such as Google Wallet, Offers and digital coupon platforms.

Other highlights included: Steve Horowitz, Coupons, Inc., who analyzed "Emerging Technologies" and how mobile apps, and digital coupons will impact the industry in a look at the latest technologies and paradigm shifts shaping the future. A unique consumer panel, offering feedback directly from shoppers, was moderated by "All You" magazine's Melanie Oliva Shambaugh. Josh Pringle from AOL shared research on "How Digital Coupons Influence Shopper Behavior".

ACP also conducted its annual business meeting and awards presentation. "Industry Impact" Award Winners were: Joanne Walk, Hormel; Ross Ely, ProLogic; and Ken Conrad, Pinpoint Data.

Members who were elected to the ACP board of directors include: Catalina Marketing Corp., Pam Samaniego; ICSB, LP, Naomi Ali; ProLogic Redemption Services; Ross Ely, Promotion Eyes, Mike Sonsthagen; Redemption Processing Reps, Ron Fischer; Unilever, Mary Ann Pindulic; and Winn Dixie, Stanley Wadford.

ACP has also announced dates for next year's event: April 23-25, 2013 in New Orleans.

For more information, contact John Morgan at 610-789-1478, [email protected], or visit www.couponpros.org.

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