DM: Workshop on Data Mining in Economics Marketing and Finance

[George Paliouras]

=====================================================================

                          ***  CALL FOR PAPERS ***
       Workshop on Data Mining in Economics, Marketing and Finance

                      MACHINE LEARNING AND APPLICATIONS
          Advanced Course on Artificial Intelligence 1999 (ACAI'99)

                       5-16 July 1999, Chania, Greece
               (http://www.iit.demokritos.gr/skel/eetn/acai99)

     European Coordinating Committee on Artificial Intelligence 
(ECCAI)
                              (http://www.eccai.org)
                    Hellenic Artificial Intelligence Society (EETN)
                       (http://www.iit.demokritos.gr/skel/eetn)

=== Workshop Background ===
In recent years there has been a huge increase in Economic, Marketing
and Finance databases with examples including Government surveys,
supermarket sales information and minute by minute stock prices.
The common denominator for these examples is that the amount of data 
is
overwhelming for the typical user and specialized tools are needed to 
aid
in an analysis. Data Mining is the process of analyzing databases to
discover and extract knowledge in a more automated way than with 
classical
techniques. The process is "data driven" in the sense that less 
emphasis
is put on prior hypotheses than is the case with classical statistics.
By approaching an analysis as a search for knowledge, rather than to 
test
a hypothesis, previously unknown relationships in the data can be
discovered.

Examples of the questions that Data Mining can help answer include:
     Based on personal and demographic attributes together with
     purchasing history, which consumers are most likely to respond 
to a
     particular product or advertising campaign ?
     Given data on whether a customer has purchased product A, B, and
     C, who is likely to purchase product D ?
     Using stock market data, what are the past patterns that proceed
     price turning points ?
     Which population subgroups will react negatively to specific
     macroeconomic policy changes ?
     Using supermarket databases, what are the characteristics of
     "bargain seekers" ?

Experience over the past years has proved the usefulness of Data
Mining as an important new way of gaining knowledge. As it is still a
relatively new research area, it is important to continue to bring
theorists and practitioners together to exchange ideas and results.

=== Workshop Objectives ===
The workshop has two main aims: to present the current trends in Data
Mining as a research area and to link this with the experience gained 
by
practitioners.
Topics could include:
     New techniques/algorithms
     Success/failure case stories
     Comparisons between different tools
     New ideas for future research
Data Mining has its roots in practical problem solving. So although
technical topics are encouraged, the main focus will be on Data 
Mining as
a tool for applied research. Active discussions are welcome and in
particular the views of users.

=== Organizing Committee ===
Prof. Hans Amman, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dr. Chris Birchenhall, University of Manchester, UK
Dr. Hans Jessen, Millward Brown, UK
Dr. Costas Koutroumbas, National Telecom. Organisation, Greece
Prof. Gholamreza Nakhaeizadeh, DaimlerChrysler, Germany
Dr. George Paliouras, NCSR Demokritos, Greece

=== Submission ===
Interested authors are requested to submit a paper, of no more than 10
pages, before *** 1 March 1999 *** Authors of accepted papers will be
asked to provide a camera-ready version of their paper before 1 April 
1999.
The Workshop Proceedings will be published as a technical report in
collaboration with the ACAI-99 organization committee.
*** Papers submitted to the workshop will also be considered for
publication in a special issue of the international journal of
Computational Economics. ***
Submissions should be sent by email to:
     Dr. Hans Jessen
     Millward Brown
     Olympus Avenue, Tachbrook Park, Warwick CV34 6RJ, UK
     Tel: +44 1926 826100, Fax: +44 1926 833600
     Email: hans.jessen@uk.millwardbrown.com

=== Organisational Issues ===
The workshop will take place during an afternoon session of ACAI-99,
from 14:30 to 18:00. The exact date of the workshop will be announced 
by the ACAI-99 organizing committee. Anyone registered for the main 
ACAI-99 event can also attend all the workshops. For the workshop 
participants who will not be registered for the whole ACAI-99 there
will be a fee of 100 Euro.

=== Important Dates ===
     1 March, 1999 Deadline for paper submission
     15 March, 1999 Notification of acceptance
     1 April, 1999 Deadline for final camera ready papers
     5-16 July, 1999 ACAI-99