08-16-2017, 09:54 PM
The three-day event attracted sellers from all over North America for its mix of insights into eBay strategy, workshops, and advice for growing their businesses and driving profitability. They also had the opportunity to hear directly from eBay s senior leadership including CEO Devin Wenig, who told them eBay would be their partner leading them into a golden age of digital commerce .
Over 1,100 eBay sellers came together with employees and company leaders at the first ever eBay OPEN last week, to learn about how the company is executing its business strategy, to share tips and ideas for how to win online, and to network with the community.
The three-day event -- which was held in Las Vegas -- attracted sellers from all over the USA for its mix of insights into eBay strategy, workshops, and advice for growing their businesses and driving profitability.
Highlights included the opportunity for sellers to hear direct from eBay s senior leadership team. eBay CEO Devin Wenig told attendees that we are entering a golden age of digital commerce .
"This is going to be an exciting, tech-enabled, global marketplace, with billions of new shoppers. eBay will be there, we will be a leader, and we will be your partner taking you into that era, he said.
Hal Lawton, SVP eBay North America, said that a big part of the eBay OPEN celebration was the inaugural Shine Awards, recognizing the brightest and best of the eBay selling community.
The overall winner, selected from over 1,300 entries, was seller Laurie Wong whose store, Reflections of Trinity, has increased its revenue every year for the past five years, allowing her to open a food pantry. In 2015, she distributed more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to people in need in her community. (You can read more about her story here.)
One seller who made the trip to Vegas was Schad VanLeeuwen, who said he wanted to come to eBay OPEN because, "Being a small business owner, you re kind of on your own out there. It s nice to have someone to bounce questions off, and get real time feedback on your concerns and questions."
"I've noticed a huge change in the past couple of months with eBay really coming behind sellers. It s been awesome. We are a great partner with eBay," added Kyle Branham, who sells sporting goods on eBay.
Sellers had the opportunity to attend a range of sessions, including presentations by Chief Marketing Officer, Suzy Deering; Jill Ramsey, VP Merchandising, and Amit Menipaz, VP Structured Data, on how eBay is bringing the shopping experience to life in innovative new ways.
Workshops and presentations throughout the three days offered tips and tools on how to manage an eBay business; insights into trends in mobile and social media; advice on shipping and in-depth information on the post-transaction space.
