LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Leading experts in the application of self-service technology, including representatives from Cisco Systems, Dell, Forrester Research and NCR, are scheduled to speak Oct. 17-18 at The Self-Service & Kiosk Show. According to a news release, the show, which is being organized by NetWorld Alliance - publisher of ATMmarketplace - will be held at the South San Francisco Conference Center.

"Our longtime leadership in self-service-related publishing enables us to bring together some of the most knowledgeable experts in the self-service and kiosk industry," said NetWorld senior vice president Greg Swistak. "Their presentations will include the latest research and strategies in self-service, targeted specifically to the needs and interests of businesses that are implementing self-service programs."

The keynote address, "Connected Commerce Drives Customer Satisfaction to a New All-Time High," will be presented by Cisco Systems vice president Mohsen Moazami, who will discuss connected commerce and its impact on traditional retailing shopping models.

The show's lineup includes 14 seminars that are focused on retail, grocer, financial, and travel and hospitality self-service.

Program speakers include:

• Brian Slaughter, retail brand manager of Dell Inc., who will present "Digital Signage - The Next Big Wave," to explore why 2005 is the year for digital signage and how retailers can find and fund solutions for their stores.
• Kerry Bodine, a senior analyst in Forrester Research's customer experience group, who will present "The Kiosk Environment: Strategies to Increase Kiosk Visibility, Foot Traffic and User Comfort." The session will summarize factors that help users find kiosks, get easy access to the machines and work comfortably once there.
• Peter C. Honebein and Roy F. Cammarano, authors of "Creating Do-It-Yourself Customers" will present "Four Pillars for Satisfaction When Customers Do the Work," which will focus on how leading companies create co-production experiences that increase customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty.
• Paul Barron, chief operating officer and co-publisher of QSRweb.com and FastCasual.com, will present "Self-Service Applications in QSR and Fast Casual Restaurants." The presentation focuses on cashless self service, gift cards, e-mail, guest relations marketing and kiosks, and the use of those options improves operations and creates more customer retail appeal.

Pre-show workshops include:

• A Kiosk Technology Primer by Greg Swistak.
• ROI: A Methodology for Determining the Investment Required to Deploy a Self-Service/Kiosk Program by Sylvia Berens, vice president, Apunix Computer Services.
• Best Practices in Customer Self-Service Applications by NCR Corp.'s Mark Krogh.
• An In Depth Look at Kiosk Systems and Integration by Doug Peter, president of St. Clair Interactive Communications.
• Understanding and Maximizing the Return on Your Self-Service/Kiosk Investment by Alex Richardson, managing director of Selling Machine Partners.
• Secrets of Design for Usability by Francie Mendelsohn, president of Summit Research Associates.

For complete show information, visit The Self-Service & Kiosk Show's Web site.