Thank you for making the 2016 ACRA Conference at Secaucus NJ a success! We are grateful for your contributions and support as volunteers, research authors, presenters, session presiders, panelists, research area chairs, workshop organizers, and ACRA Board members.

Thanks for sharing your photographs on our Twitter account @acraconf.

The winners of the 2016 ACRA Conference Digital awards are:

Bethan Alexander, University of the Arts, London

Michelle Childs, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Debra Zahay-Blatz, St. Edwards University

We would also like to remind you that you can still submit your full unpublished research papers to two special issues by May 31, 2016:

●      Special issue of Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing*

http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/call_for_papers.htm?id=6104

●      Special issue of Journal of Advancement in Marketing Education*

http://www.mmaglobal.org/publications/JAME/Call-For-Papers/JAME-Special-Issue-Teaching-Innovations-Retail-Education-Due-May-31-2016.pdf

http://www.mmaglobal.org/publications/jame/jame-submission-guidelines/

Please note that submitted papers will follow the journal's standard review process to be accepted for publication.

We are looking forward to meeting you at the 2017 ACRA Conference at Twin Cities, Minnesota!

Connect with other attendees and a chance to win a prize !

Kicking off the ACRA 2016 Conference

Welcome to the ACRA 2016 Conference ! It’s going to be sunny starting tomorrow and we are looking forward to the balmy 60 degree weather !

To help conference attendees interact and connect with each other, we have opened the ACRA 2016 blog http://acraconference2016.blogspot.com/ so all  ACRA members and conference attendees can share* your thoughts, comments, and reflections while the conference is underway.

This is an optional activity! We have sent you an invitation - if you want to contribute please accept the invite.

Please feel free to take pictures taken during the conference and upload. If you have a question for a particular presenter, but didn’t get a chance to ask, or suggest an extension of the research  this is a good platform to connect. If you want to volunteer to lead a group of attendees into exploring NYC or go to dinner - you can start here!

We will give three prizes in the following categories:

1)      Picture or a blog post that best captures the spirit of ACRA

2)      Picture or a blog post that best captures the Past Presidents’ Panel

3)      Picture or a blog post that best captures the Fashion Entrepreneurship panel

Winners will be announced on Saturday before the end of the conference. Looking forward to meeting everyone !

* Please keep the conversations pertinent to topics that would be of interest to ACRA members

Bio of Fashion Entrepreneurship Panelists

FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL 

We are excited about the Fashion Entrepreneurship Panel to be held on April 14 2016 5:00pm – 6:30pm at the Glasgow Caledonian University. Please see the conference program on the details about the bus that will take you to there. 

Please click here to find more information about the panelists. We hope to see you there and looking forward to a stimulating discussion about fashion, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. 

4 days to ACRA 2016!

Final Conference Program  is here!

The weather isn't our friend this weekend but weather.com predicts it will warm up next week here.
We recommend you get a light waterproof jacket and be prepared to go from sunny to rainy.

We will provide further updates as we get closer.

See you next week!

Suggestions for your NYC adventure by Dr. Barry Berman

New York City Suggestions

General Information:

Taxis are plentiful now that Uber is popular. They are metered and can take up to 4 people.

Subways and Buses are $2.75 each way. Busses accept cash--only quarters, you can also purchase MetroCards (smartcards) at any subway booth.

New York is easy to navigate as most midtown streets and avenues are numbered. 5th Avenue demarks East and West street addresses-- i.e, 10 East 53rd Street and 20 West 53rd Street are across the street (5th Avenue) from each other. Avenue of the Americas is 6th Avenue. The only unnumbered avenues are east of Fifth Avenue (Madison, Park and Lexington). 3rd Avenue is east of Lexington. Broadway is west of 7th Avenue at 46th Street.

Here are some things to do on our evening in NYC:

BroadwayBox.com --lists discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway show tickets. You can highlight your desired seat. If you require extra leg room I strongly suggest you get aisle seats.

Restaurants Near Times Square:

·       Limani., 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Greek, great atmosphere (there is a pool in the middle of the restaurant). Located at East 53rd Street west of Fifth Avenue. $39.50 price fixed dinner-- must be ordered before 6:30.Otherwise very costly.

·       Moluvos, 871 7th Avenue (between West 55th and 56th Streets). Greek. Also excellent food.

Restaurants Near Herald Square

(Herald Square is the central business district of NYC--containing Macy's newly renovated flagship store). Also near is the Empire State Building --that has an excellent observation deck-- about $25 per person). This is about a 1 mile walk from Times Square. Most of these are Michelin rated.

·       Cafe China, 13 East 37th Street (between 5th and Madison Avenues). Very reasonably priced Michelin rated authentic Chinese restaurant. Crowded.

·       Keens, 72 West 36th Street  (between 6th and 5th Avenues). A great steakhouse. Contains a notable collection of smoking pipes. Order the mutton chop or a porterhouse steak. You should ask for the tavern menu for smaller portions. Ask for a quiet table. Great combination of food and ambiance.

·       Francia, 12 Park Avenue between East 34 and East 35th Streets. Vegetarian Korean food. Very reasonably priced. A Japanese teahouse atmosphere.

·       Hangawi, 12 East 32nd Street. Korean food served by waitresses in traditional Korean garments. Great combination of food and ambiance. Michelin rated.

·       Gaonnuri, 1250 Broadway. 39th Floor. Korean barbecue with a knock-out view of New York City. Great combination of food and ambiance. Michelin rated

·       El Parador Cafe, 325 East 34th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Excellent Mexican food, Michelin rated. Very reasonable.

·       2nd Avenue Deli, 162 East 33rd Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues). Probably NYC's best deli. A lot of food. Try the half a sandwich and cup of soup combo. Also try a knish. Michelin rated.

I strongly suggest making reservations if you are considering Limani. Molyvos, Keens, Hangawi or Gaonnuri.

You can make reservations and see current menus and pricing on www.opentable.com.

Barry Berman

Transportation to conference hotel, Embassy Suites- Secaucus.

Conference Hotel: Embassy Suites Hotel Secaucus-Meadowlands, 455 Plaza Drive, Secaucus NJ 07094

Closest airport - EWR - Newark Liberty Airport
Taxi to Embassy suites costs USD 65

Other airports: Taxi to Embassy suites costs USD 145+ depending on traffic.

La Guardia  Airport (LGA) mostly domestic flights

JFK International Airport (JFK)

Driving:  remember parking is free for guests staying at the hotel.
Hotel shuttle: complimentary for hotel guests, 2 mile radius. Call +1-201-864-7300 with reservation/suite number


Public transport options:

320 Bus stops at/very close to Embassy Suites - Secaucus. Schedule : https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0320.pdf 

Greater Meadowlands Transit Guide: http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/MeadowlandsGuide.pdf

Train: Closest station - Secaucus Junction  2-3 miles from hotel (hotel shuttle for guests).
7 minutes $2 from Newark Penn station on NJ Transit, 10 minutes from newark Airport for $5 one-way
Uber available but not welcome at most airports in the area.

New York City Transit subway riders can transfer to Hoboken-bound PATH trains at 33rd Street and then board the Meadowlands Service at NJ Transit's Hoboken Terminal. Or, simply connect with NJ Transit trains at Penn Station NY.

We hope this helps!

Have you discovered an alternate mode? 

Want to found out others with similar arrival times at EWR so you can share a taxi?

Please use the comments to share your information with others.

Only 5 days left to book your ACRA Conference Hotel accommodations by March 17!!

Please note that the ACRA conference hotel rate of $189/night + taxes will be available till Thursday March 17, 2016 ET if you use this customized URL http://tinyurl.com/acra2016-hotel

After March 17 the rates will increase and availability of accommodations at the conference hotel is not guaranteed.

Why stay at the conference hotel: Embassy Suites?

1.)  Free breakfast and evening reception. This is NJ/NY! You will need tickets to enter the breakfast and reception area. If you do not stay at the hotel, you will have to purchase tickets. The conference fee will cover the venue costs, coffee breaks, bus transportation and Fashion Entrepreneurship Panel at NYC, venue/conference room and equipment costs, two sit-down and boxed lunches.

2.)  Free shuttle to Secaucus train station and 2 mile radius to the outlet malls.

3.)  Free wifi throughout the hotel

Please note that all guests at Embassy Suites should check their tickets for made-to-order breakfast and reception (snacks and one alcoholic drink) for each day at the time of checkin. Please make sure you indicate how many guests will stay with you (spouse, children, co-authors, students, etc. up to 4/6 people in some suites) when you make the reservation. If you don’t, you will get tickets for only one person.

If you have already registered and did not report all guests that will stay with your room OR you are having trouble with your reservation please contact Ange Rosario at Ange.Rosario@hilton.com, Direct: 201-809-4147 with the correct number of guests for your reservation.

Hello everyone !

Here is the preliminary program for the ACRA 2016 conference. Please let us know if you have any questions. Preliminary Program

*Please note that author affiliations will be added soon.

Thanks

Patrali and Archana

If you have NOT registered for 2016 ACRA yet: deadline extended to Feb. 19, 2016

In response to multiple requests we are extending the 2016 ACRA Conference registration deadline to Fri. February 19, 2016

Please note that at least one author on record for each paper MUST register and pay by February 19, 2016 for the paper to be on the program – which will be available on the 2016 ACRA conference blog http://tinyurl.com/acra2016-news

Please note there will be no additional extensions because we have to commit payments to the conference hotel early next week.

Please note that acceptance emails were sent to the corresponding author only - please notify/forward acceptance and registration email to co-authors.

Registration Procedure:

1.) Download, fill out 2016 ACRA Conference Registration Form at http://www.acraretail.org/2016-acra-conference-registration-forms.html.

It is PDF-fillable file so please download it, save it, fill it out and then

email the completed registration form to Dr. Robert Jones at rjones@uttyler.edu

2.) Pay conference fee and 2016 ACRA dues (if you haven't already) at http://www.acraretail.org/store/c6/Conference_Registration.html. Please select Non-member rate ($525.00) if you haven't already paid 2016 ACRA dues already

3.) Fill out and email ACRA membership form to Dr. Susan Fiorito at sfiorito@business.fsu.edu

Please note that after February 19, 2016 conference registration fees will increase to $525.00 (+ 2016 ACRA dues)

Please follow ACRA 2016 updates on the blog http://tinyurl.com/acra2016-news.

We are looking forward to meeting you at the conference!

What are planning to do - Thursday, April 14 2016 evening in NYC?

Please note that there are no scheduled events after 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 14 2016 evening in NYC. There are many entertainment options in NYC and we wanted every attendee to enjoy and experience it their way.
Please feel free to use the COMMENT feature of this blog post to post your ideas, ask questions and find others who might join you for whatever you are planning to do!!

Broadway shows anyone? Discounted tickets at http://www.broadwaybox.com

Applying for Graduate Student Scholarship?

Procedure:
Student provides required information in the 2016 ACRA registration form.
The student registers and pays doctoral student ACRA and 2016 conference dues by the deadline February 15, 2016.
If selected for the scholarship; student will be notified and presented with a check during the award ceremony at the 2016 ACRA conference.

6 days to 2016 ACRA Registration deadline!

There are 6 days left for the 2016 ACRA Conference registration deadline - February 15, 2016!
Please note that at least one author on record for each paper must register by February 15, 2016 for the paper to be on the program.

Please note that acceptance emails were sent to the corresponding author only - please notify/forward acceptance email to co-authors.

Registration Procedure:

1.) Download, fill out 2016 ACRA Conference Registration Form at http://www.acraretail.org/2016-acra-conference-registration-forms.html . Please email the completed registration form to rjones@uttyler.edu


2.) Pay conference fee and 2016 ACRA dues (if you haven't already) at http://www.acraretail.org/store/c6/Conference_Registration.html. Please select Non-member rate ($525.00) if you haven't already paid 2016 ACRA dues already

3.) All done!

2016 ACRA CONFERENCE - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Please note that research presentations, workshops will be on the schedule if at least one author registers for the conference by the February 15, 2016 deadline. This schedule is tentative and is subject to change. We are looking forward to having a fun and productive conference!

2016 ACRA CONFERENCE - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 13
5:30 – 7:30 PM	Registration
5:30 – 8:00 PM	Opening Reception
Thursday, April 14
7:15 – 8:30 AM	Breakfast
8:30 – 12:00 AM	Research Presentations, Coffee Break
12:00 – 1:30 PM	Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 PM	Research Presentations
3:15 – 4:15 PM	Bus to SoHo
4:30 – 6:00 PM	Fashion Entrepreneurship Panel @ Glasgow Caledonian University, Boxed Snack	64 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012
	Dinner and evening at NYC on your own
Friday, April 15
7:15 – 8:00 AM	Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 AM	ACRA: Past, Present and Future; A View from Past Presidents
9:15 – 12:30 PM	Research Presentations, Coffee Break
12:30 – 1:30 PM	Lunch
1:30 – 5:00 PM	Meet the Editors, Research Presentations, Coffee Break
Saturday, April 16
7:00 – 8:00 AM	Breakfast
8:00 – 1:00 PM	Research Presentations, Coffee Break
1:15 PM	Boxed Lunch
	End of Conference