PLEASANT RIDGE, Mich., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ePrize is optimizing the 2011 FutureMidwest conference for maximized attendee engagement through a mobile-optimized website and location-based check-in. The conference will take place at Eastern Market in Detroit, April 28-29.  

With growing demand for real-time, location-focused content, FutureMidwest attendees will not be at a loss for insights into to their surroundings and ways to share with their social networks. The ePrize team built and sponsored FutureMidwest's mobile-optimized site and location-based check-in via Foursquare and Facebook Places to provide an additional interactive experience for attendees. According to JWire, 63 percent of mobile users said they frequently use apps that require location information to receive informational content.

"It is a great opportunity for ePrize to participate in the FutureMidwest conference and offer our location-based services for the event," said Sara Kowal, vice president of innovation at ePrize. "Location-based mobile features are a great way to engage with consumers for small and large brands alike. Larger brands can develop specific applications to meet their objectives, while small brands can leverage the concept through sites like Groupon, LivingSocial and other location-aware marketing services."

Josh Linkner, former CEO of ePrize, kicks off the conference program with a Thursday morning keynote on creativity. In addition, Sara Kowal, vice president of innovation, and Matt Kates, vice president of strategic services, will be presenting a general session.

"It's an honor to have Sara, Matt and Josh speak at such a keystone event for the Midwest," said Matt Wise ePrize CEO. "We look forward to both sharing our expertise in the multi-channel engagement and learning from other digital business leaders."

In the session "Activate & Motivate: When, Where and How," Kowal and Kates will discuss best practices in loyalty and promotion strategies to engage audiences and how to combine the power of key outlets such as Facebook, SMS messaging, smartphone apps and microsites to maximize impact while appealing to consumer's evolving preferences. They also will be sharing brand examples in the marketplace to demonstrate how to execute successful campaigns across multiple media outlets.

"We're very excited to have ePrize on board for the 2011 FutureMidwest conference," said Adrian Pittman, co-founder of FutureMidwest. "The commitment ePrize has shown to the region, both in terms of innovation and contributions to our local economy, is admirable and it is exactly the type of enthusiasm we look to promote at the conference. ePrize will demonstrate their top-notch talent through the implementation of a mobile-optimized site and location-based check-in via Foursquare and Facebook Places to keep our attendees engaged throughout the conference on the platforms they prefer."

For more information, see http://eprize.com/solutions/mobile-marketing.

About ePrize, LLC:

ePrize creates one-to-one relationships between advertisers and their customers by rewarding engagement across digital channels. With a focus on motivating specific consumer behavior, campaigns range from online sweepstakes to global points-based loyalty programs, mobile and social media apps and management. Since 1999, ePrize has successfully launched more than 7,000 campaigns in 44 countries for 76 of the top 100 brands including Coca-Cola, General Motors, The Gap, HSN, Miller/Coors, Yahoo!, P&G, Microsoft and AT&T. Professionals across the country are dedicated to delivering extraordinary service, along with immediate and measurable results. Headquartered in Detroit, the company also has offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta. For more information, visit www.eprize.com.

About FutureMidwest

FutureMidwest is the Midwest's largest digital business conference.  Initiated in 2009, the two-day conference is designed for executive management and decision makers from corporate, small and midsized businesses, entrepreneurs, brand managers, marketing, communication professionals, students and professionals in the digital/technology spheres, offering advice on implementing digital strategies to engage their audiences and boost the profitability of their companies.  FutureMidwest conferences focus on the impact of technology in five areas:

• Integrated marketing — How to integrate digital platforms into a well-rounded marketing mix
• User experience — How to create an engaging experience across a variety of digital media
• Mobile — How it's impacting information exchange and user access and how to utilize it
• Business Intelligence/Analytics — How to define metrics that matter most and apply them
• Regional growth — How the Midwest is participating in the Information Age

The conference offers basic and advanced information in separate sessions that incorporate presentations, group breakouts, networking with professionals, and engagements with influencers who are redefining business in the digital age. For more information, please visit: www.futuremidwest.com.

Media Contacts:
Megan Soule
Airfoil PR for ePrize
248.304.1428
soule@airfoilpr.com

SOURCE ePrize