Forrester’s Consumer Forum  is a very special place for me, because it's where the ideas for Groundswell were launched in 2007. It was your warm and positive reaction that gave us the confidence we were on track.

At the 2009 Forrester event, our analysts will present research on how evolving consumer online behavior demands that firms step up efforts to engage them, and executives from major companies will share their companies' best practices for creating breakthrough multichannel relationships.

If you haven't been to one of forums, you'll see that we do things a little differently. The two Forrester presentations, which lead off each of the two days, are distilled for maximum value (we put a lot of effort into getting only the best, newest research into these presentations and them delivering them with a little panache). And the industry speakers, while they are just the people you want to hear from, spend more than half of their time answering questions from our analysts and vetted questions from the audience. That makes sure the attendees get their money's worth.

We'll also be presenting the results of the Forrester Groundswell Awards. Together with the rest of the Groundswell team, we've completed our review of all the entries, and the winners have demonstrated some impressive accomplishments. For the first time, this year, you'll be able to meet the winners at a party right after they receive their awards.

This year's outside speakers include:

• Brad Brooks, Corporate Vice President, Windows Consumer Product Marketing, Microsoft
• Michael Darviche, Chief Marketing Officer, Acxiom
• Prasanna Dhore, Vice President, Hewlett Packard
• Barry Judge, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Best Buy
• Bob Kraut, Vice President, Marketing Communications, Pizza Hut
• Michael Menis, Vice President, Global Interactive Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Sophia Stuart, Executive Director, Mobile, Hearst Magazines Digital Media
• Virginia Suliman, Vice President, Web Design & Development, Hilton Hotels Corporation
• Paul Vienick, Senior Vice President, Long-Term Investing and Customer Experience, E*TRADE

The Forrester speakers include

• Julie A. Ask, Vice President, Principal Analyst
• me,
• Bill Doyle, Vice President, Principal Analyst
• Henry H. Harteveldt, Vice President, Principal Analyst
• Carrie Johnson, Vice President, Research Director
• Harley Manning, Vice President, Research Director

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the experts — see Forrester.com for more information. If you’ve already signed up, here are some great ways to maximize your experience:

• Follow us on Twitter as we plan and launch the Event.
• RSVP on our Facebook Event page, and network with other attendees.

See you in Chicago.