B2B Breakthrough Podcast: Special Episode Summary Featuring Rah Mahtani on Wizards of Ecom - Navigating CoCreate 2024
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Introduction
In this special episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, hosted by Alibaba.com, Carlos Alvarez from Wizards of Ecom welcomes Rah Mahtani, the Head of Marketing for Alibaba.com North America. The discussion centers around the highly anticipated CoCreate 2024 event, designed for innovative e-commerce professionals seeking to elevate their businesses.
Meet Rah Mahtani
Rah Mahtani shares his journey with Alibaba.com, highlighting his role in building a robust North American marketing team aimed at fostering trust among buyers. He emphasizes the significant growth in new businesses in the U.S., citing that the last three years saw 16 million businesses formed—the highest in the country's history. Rah underscores Alibaba.com's mission to "level the playing field for small business owners," aligning with founder Jack Ma's original vision.
Notable Quote:
"Alibaba.com is really, really well positioned to help all of those folks."
— Rah Mahtani [03:07]
Why CoCreate 2024 is a Must-Attend Event
Carlos expresses his enthusiasm for CoCreate, distinguishing it from other generic conferences by its clear focus on actionable insights and strategic partnerships that directly contribute to business growth. Rah elaborates on this by outlining the event's unique offerings, including connections with global suppliers and a diverse attendee base comprising 48 million global buyers.
Notable Quote:
"We want to be the place to connect with global suppliers."
— Rah Mahtani [06:09]
Target Audience and Attendee Insights
The conversation delves into the primary demographics of CoCreate attendees. Rah indicates that the event predominantly attracts e-commerce sellers using platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Walmart, with 30% of last year's attendees generating seven-figure revenues. This year, there is a strategic push to attract more established business owners to focus on scaling and growth strategies.
Notable Quote:
"We really want to dive deep on effective strategies to grow and scale."
— Rah Mahtani [07:41]
Event Layout and Highlights
Rah outlines the comprehensive structure of CoCreate 2024, which includes:
- Keynote Stage: Opening with Alibaba.com's President, Quo, who will announce advancements in AI, logistics, and strategic partnerships.
- Masterclass Sessions: Featuring experts discussing scaling businesses across various marketplaces beyond Amazon.
- Vertical Category Breakout Rooms: Deep dives into specific industries like beauty and consumer electronics, led by category leaders.
- Alibaba Guaranteed Pavilion: An exhibitor area showcasing over 500 trending products from 30 global suppliers.
- Podcast Recording Labs: Real-time podcast sessions with buyers, executives, and media partners.
Notable Quote:
"We bring our suppliers actually there. You can browse different products and suppliers from around the world."
— Rah Mahtani [14:54]
VIP and Premium Ticket Benefits
The discussion highlights the exclusive advantages of VIP and Premium tickets, which include:
- Two Nights in Hotel: Complimentary accommodation to enhance the attendee experience.
- Sourcing Coupons: Credits worth $200 for sourcing products or logistics.
- Access to Exclusive Sessions: VIP-only Masterclasses and deep-dive sessions with industry experts.
- Gala Dinner: An intimate networking opportunity with successful business owners.
Carlos praises the value proposition, noting that the ticket package offers extensive benefits far exceeding the cost, making it a "no-brainer" for serious business owners.
Notable Quote:
"It's almost like you're saying, hey, we want to help you out with your business."
— Carlos Alvarez [12:32]
Networking Opportunities
Rah emphasizes the importance of networking at CoCreate, catering to both extroverts and introverts. The event schedules multiple coffee breaks, lunches, and a VIP gala dinner designed to foster meaningful connections without intrusive third-party pitches.
Notable Quote:
"It's really just business owners sharing and trading ideas."
— Rah Mahtani [25:15]
Focus on Female Entrepreneurs
Addressing feedback from the previous year, Rah outlines CoCreate's commitment to highlighting female business owners. The event will feature:
- Keynote Panel on Funding Women Entrepreneurs: Discussions with leaders from Entrepreneista and Bold Sky.
- Film Screening: "Show Her the Money," exploring the impact of funding female entrepreneurs on the U.S. economy.
- Success Stories: Presentations by female entrepreneurs like Jen Kennedy of Honeybug and Dr. Ronak Mehta, showcasing their achievements facilitated by Alibaba.com.
Notable Quote:
"We are really making efforts to focus on important things that impact female business owners."
— Rah Mahtani [19:44]
Interactive Sessions and Competitions
One of the standout features of CoCreate 2024 is the Pitch the Pros session—a Shark Tank-style competition where 15 business owners pitch their products to a panel of five judges. Winners will receive grants and prize packages, providing invaluable support to both established businesses and emerging inventors.
Notable Quote:
"We're calling it the Pitch the Pros... we'll award them grants in real time on stage."
— Rah Mahtani [21:03]
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Carlos and Rah conclude the episode by reiterating the unparalleled value of attending CoCreate 2024. They encourage listeners to secure their tickets early to take advantage of discounted rates and exclusive benefits. Rah assures attendees of Alibaba.com's commitment to accessibility and continuous improvement based on participant feedback.
Notable Quote:
"I look forward to seeing everybody there."
— Carlos Alvarez [31:40]
How to Register
Interested professionals can visit AlibabaCoCreate.com and use the promo code ALIPODCAST at checkout to receive a discount on tickets:
- General Admission: $199 (Early Bird)
- Premium Tickets: $599 (Early Bird) – Includes two hotel nights and a $100 sourcing coupon.
- VIP Tickets: $9.99 (Early Bird) – Includes all Premium benefits plus a $200 sourcing coupon and exclusive networking opportunities.
Promo Codes:
- General Admission: ALIPODCAST – 10% off
- Premium & VIP Tickets: ALIPODCAST – 20% off
Conclusion
This episode provides a comprehensive overview of CoCreate 2024, highlighting its strategic focus on actionable business growth, extensive networking opportunities, and a commitment to supporting both established and emerging e-commerce professionals. With Rah Mahtani's insights and Alibaba.com's robust support framework, CoCreate 2024 promises to be a pivotal event for those aiming to scale their businesses to new heights.
For more information and to register, visit AlibabaCoCreate.com and use the code ALIPODCAST for exclusive discounts.