Christmas shopping will be different this year with the arrival of Amazon in Australia set to revolutionise the retail sector and customer experience.

Manningham City Council is hosting a Melbourne east e-commerce conference designed to help local small businesses to make the most from this emerging economic platform.  

Nine local councils in Melbourne’s east have come together to present the conference with experts and industry leaders including keynote speaker, futurist Chris Riddell.

“With the mining boom over, Australia has to reinvent itself and the future is definitely in high-tech,” he said.

Chris said technology had broken down the limitations of borders and time, with customers more informed than ever before. 

“Those of us able to adapt will be the architects of the future,” he said.

Manningham City Council Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert said the municipality’s retail sector employed almost 5,000 people and generated more than $530 million in the local economy each year.

“It’s important local businesses embrace change and new ways of thinking to remain competitive,” she said. 

“This conference will feature a list of dynamic speakers discussing the latest trends and providing advice on how best to use technology to interact with customers and maximise business.” 

Amazon’s arrival in Australia provides a lot of opportunities for local businesses and Council believes its community is ready to adopt these changes. 

The E-Commerce Revolution conference will be held at the Manningham Civic Centre in Doncaster on Friday, 27 October from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. To register, please visit www.manninghambusiness.com.au/events/e-commerce-revolution. Bookings close on 5.00 pm Friday, 20 October.

Photograph and interview opportunities are available.