"What captivates us now is special stuff, stuff that only a few of us can get, stuff that stands for something or symbolizes something. And, more attractive than stuff, are experiences -- events, trips, places, sights, sounds, tastes that are out of the ordinary, memorable in their own right, precious in their uniqueness and fulfilling in a way that seems to make us more than we were... Some describe this phenomenon as 'the experience economy.' "

(Richard G. Barlow in "The Net and loyalty marketing" Advertising Age, April 17, 2000)