CEO of Local Online Company Selected as Speaker at EC Valley 2000
September 28, 2000

For media inquiries, please contact: Nancy Lipkin, Marketing & Public Relations First Impressions (agency for MerchantsBay LLC) 385 Kings Highway North, Suite L2 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 nlipkin@merchantsbay.com p. 856.667.4882 f. 856.321.1108 MT. LAUREL, NJ – September 28, 2000 - Last week, industry leaders and top government officials gathered in Philadelphia for a one-day conference to examine emerging technologies and business strategies that will shape how business is conducted in the future. The EC Valley 2000 was held September 21 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia. It was coordinated by The Delaware Valley EC/EDI Roundtable, Inc.; Internet Business Alliance; The Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies; and The West Chester Electronic Commerce Resource Center. Troy Pappas, CEO of MerchantsBay.com, a South Jersey-based online company, was selected as one of the speakers. He discussed specific customer service challenges that web businesses face. In order to succeed, he explained, e-commerce must incorporate high tech with high touch. E-business has been concentrating too much on customer acquisition, instead of customer retention, said Pappas. Fast response, easy-to-use self-help, and a toll free phone number to reach the company are all crucial elements to a successful retention strategy. Other panelists included executives from QVC and StonebridgeBank.com, along with leading internet consultants from Lunar Tide Communications, Intermedia Marketing Solutions and Keane Consulting. MerchantsBay.com is a leading online specialty merchandise e-channel. It is the only online company with a novel patentable web application which allows them to sell successfully to a variety of markets (business to business, business to business to consumer, and business to consumer). They have volume-dependent, interactive, real-time price negotiations, streaming video product presentations, and a large selection of quality goods and services. MerchantsBay.com is located in the Burlington County College High Tech Incubator.