Forum Overview
RILA's Leadership Forum is an exclusive gathering of the top executives from the world's most successful and innovative retail and consumer products companies. This invitation-only event fosters dialogue and discussion around the critical business issues of consumer-facing companies, in a relaxed, informal setting.
The Leadership Forum is an invitation-only event and is open exclusively to top executives from RILA retail and product manufacturer members. Service suppliers - companies that sell to retailers and product suppliers that do not manufacture a consumer product - must be a"RILA Partner" in order to attend. The 2011 Leadership Forum will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida from January 16 – 18, 2011.
For more information, contact Jenny Keehan at (703) 600-2031 or jenny.keehan@rila.org
Registration to RILA's Leadership Forum is "By Invitation Only." If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Jenny Keehan, Executive Vice President, Member Services, at jenny.keehan@rila.org , or 703-600-2031.
These are just a sample of the industry leaders who have attended the Leadership Forum:
Alliance Boots plc (UK), Stefano Pessina, Chief ExecutiveAmerican Greetings Corporation, Zev Weiss, Chief Executive Officer AutoZone, William Rhodes, III, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Belk, Inc., Thomas M. Belk, Jr., Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerBest Buy Co., Inc., Robert A. Willett, Chief Executive Officer, Best Buy InternationalCVS Corporation, Thomas Ryan, Chairman, President & Chief Executive OfficerDollar General Corporation, Richard W. Dreiling, Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerDress Barn Inc., David Jaffe, President & Chief Executive Officer Energizer Holdings, Inc., Joseph McClanathan, President & Chief Executive Officer, Energizer Battery Family Christian Stores, Cliff Bartow, President & Chief Executive Officer FGX International, Alec Taylor, Chief Executive Officer Hastings Entertainment, John Marmaduke, Chief Executive Officer Home Hardware Stores Limited, Paul Straus, Chief Executive OfficerHy-Vee, Inc., Ric Jurgens, Chairman, President & Chief Executive OfficerInter IKEA Systems, B.V., Thomas Bergstrom, Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerJ.C. Penney Company, Inc., Myron E. Ullman, III, Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerJohnson & Johnson, Patrick Mutchler, Company Group ChairmanLowe’s Companies, Inc., Robert Niblock, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Kingfisher PLC, Ian Cheshire, Group Chief ExecutiveMeijer, Inc., Mark Murray, PresidentMichaels Stores, Inc., John Menzer, Chief Executive OfficerModell’s Sporting Goods, Inc., Mitchell Modell, Chief Executive OfficerNestle Purina PetCare Company, Terry E. Block, President, North American Pet FoodsNew Look Group, plc, Philip Wrigley, Chief Executive OfficerPETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., James Myers, Chief Executive OfficerPetSmart, Inc., Philip Francis, Executive ChairmanRobert Moran, President & Chief Executive OfficerProcter & Gamble Company, Alan G. Lafley, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Sally Jewell, President & Chief Executive Officer Save-A-Lot, Ltd., William Shaner, President & Chief Executive OfficerTarget Corporation, Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman, President & Chief Executive OfficerTuesday Morning Corporation, Kathleen Mason, President & Chief Executive Officer Unilever, Michael Polk, President, Unilever AmericasVF Corporation, Eric C. Wiseman, Chairman, President & Chief Executive OfficerWalgreen Co., Gregory D. Wasson, President & Chief Executive Officer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Mike Duke, President & Chief Executive OfficerWilkinson, Stuart Mitchell, Chief Executive OfficerWilliamson-Dickie Mfg. Co., Philip Williamson, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
The program for Leadership Forum 2011 is currently being developed. Please check back in the coming months for more details on next year's forum.
The Leadership Forum is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for personal interaction with top retail leaders. Only at RILA will you participate fully in this interactive meeting of select C-suite executives from the biggest and best retail and consumer goods companies. It is truly an exclusive opportunity for companies that value interaction with our influential audience.
Sponsoring the Leadership Forum is typically reserved for RILA Partners -- our top level ($100,000+) supporting sponsors. We do, however, offer a select few "entry-level" sponsorships.
For more information, contact Suzie Squier at 703-600-2020 or suzie.squier@rila.org
The Leadership Forum 2010 - A New Era for Retail
This year’s RILA Leadership Forum focused on retailing in a new era, one created by a restructuring of the economic order that has fundamentally changed the business landscape. Tomorrow's landscape will be different, no doubt, from today's. But it is no less rich in possibilities for those companies and executives who are prepared. Top industry executives discussed key issues facing the industry, networked with their peers, and learned-both from invited experts and from one another. They gained historical perspectives on the time-tested qualities of leadership that are of growing importance in today’s world. And they took stock of a changing economic landscape and the fundamental political issues facing business and society. Retail and product manufacturing companies who participated in the Leadership Forum 2010 included: 4R Systems, AutoZone, Inc., Best Buy Co., Inc., British Retail Consortium, Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Convergys Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Inc., DJM Realty, Dollar General Corporation, Energizer Holdings, Inc., Exel, FGX International, First Quality Enterprises, Inc., GameStop Corp., Gap Inc., Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hy-Vee, Inc., IBM Corporation, Intertek, Knights Apparel, Inc., Kurt Salmon Associates, Lion Brand Yarn Company, Loeb Associates, Inc., Lowe's Companies, Inc., Michaels Stores, Inc., Movie Gallery, Inc., Nestlé Purina PetCare, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., PetSmart, Inc., Radio Systems Corporation, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), SAP Retail, Save-A-Lot, Ltd., Sears Canada Inc., Sears Holdings Corporation, Shurtape Technologies, LLC, ShurTech Brands, LLC, Target Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Time/Warner Retail Sales and Marketing, Unilever, VF Corporation, Walgreen Co., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Whole Foods Market, Inc., Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd. SELECT PRESENTATIONS FROM LEADERSHIP FORUM 2010 Tomorrow Starts Today - AccentureClick here to view Accenture's presentation given at Leadership Forum 2010 The Class of 2025: Making America More Competitive - Erik PetersonClick here to view Erik Peterson's presenation given at Leadership Forum 2010 LEADERSHIP FORUM 2010 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Click here to view a pdf of the Leadership Forum 2010 Program 2010 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Pre-Events -- Saturday, January 16 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.Board of Directors Reception & Dinner(Open to Members of the Board, their spouses, and invited guests only.) Pre-Events -- Sunday, January 17 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting (Open to Members of the Board only) 10:30 – 7:30 p.m. Registration & Information Desk Open 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Retail and product manufacturing companies who participated in the Leadership Forum 2010 included: 4R Systems, AutoZone, Inc., Best Buy Co., Inc., British Retail Consortium, Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Convergys Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Inc., DJM Realty, Dollar General Corporation, Energizer Holdings, Inc., Exel, FGX International, First Quality Enterprises, Inc., GameStop Corp., Gap Inc., Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hy-Vee, Inc., IBM Corporation, Intertek, Knights Apparel, Inc., Kurt Salmon Associates, Lion Brand Yarn Company, Loeb Associates, Inc., Lowe's Companies, Inc., Michaels Stores, Inc., Movie Gallery, Inc., Nestlé Purina PetCare, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., PetSmart, Inc., Radio Systems Corporation, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), SAP Retail, Save-A-Lot, Ltd., Sears Canada Inc., Sears Holdings Corporation, Shurtape Technologies, LLC, ShurTech Brands, LLC, Target Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Time/Warner Retail Sales and Marketing, Unilever, VF Corporation, Walgreen Co., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Whole Foods Market, Inc., Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd.
SELECT PRESENTATIONS FROM LEADERSHIP FORUM 2010
Tomorrow Starts Today - AccentureClick here to view Accenture's presentation given at Leadership Forum 2010
The Class of 2025: Making America More Competitive - Erik PetersonClick here to view Erik Peterson's presenation given at Leadership Forum 2010
LEADERSHIP FORUM 2010 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Click here to view a pdf of the Leadership Forum 2010 Program
2010 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Pre-Events -- Saturday, January 16 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.Board of Directors Reception & Dinner(Open to Members of the Board, their spouses, and invited guests only.)
Pre-Events -- Sunday, January 17
7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
(Open to Members of the Board only)
10:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Registration & Information Desk Open
Lunch & Golf Tournament
(Open to all pre-registered attendees and spouses.)
Honoured in 2008 as Condé Nast Traveler's number one golf resort in Southern California, Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club offers superb golf facilities.
The course is sculpted around natural topography, with water hazards positioned as visual extensions of the lagoon. The club includes a 32,000-square-foot (3,000-square-meter), two-story Spanish colonial clubhouse with a complete golf shop.11:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Lunch & Hiking(Open to all pre-registered attendees and spouses.)Guests are invited to enjoy a day of hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve. This state park is located within San Diego city limits and yet remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast.Don't miss this opportunity to explore one of the most scenic natural wonders in Southern California.
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
The first opportunity for Leadership Forum attendees to meet and reconnect at this relaxed cocktail reception.
Day 1 -- Monday, January 18
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
7:45 – 8:00 a.m.
Welcome
Sandy Kennedy, President, Retail Industry Leaders Association
Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, AutoZone, Inc.; Incoming Chairman of the Board, Retail Industry Leaders Association
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Opening Dialogue: Tomorrow Starts TodayJanet Hoffman, Global Managing Partner – Retail, AccentureRetail is facing arguably its most challenging environment in half a century. But while some companies struggle to survive, others will emerge even stronger. In this session, attendees will explore the future of retailing, examine some of the innovative practices occurring today, and discuss how the industry will evolve in the coming years. Groups will also consider the actions retailers should be taking today to ensure success tomorrow.
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
CEO Spotlight – Greg Wasson, Walgreen Co.
Greg Wasson, Chief Executive Officer & President, Walgreen Co.
Each year, the Leadership Forum features a prominent CEO from the retail and consumer products industry to give us the “inside story” on his/her company, what drives their business and success, leadership secrets, and more. This year, hear from Walgreens’ recently appointed chief executive Greg Wasson on his mission to reinvent Walgreens, his commitment to America’s health and wellness, and his vision of corporate leadership in today’s world.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Industry Panel: Innovation in the New Era
Moderator: Tobin Smith, Fox Business Analyst & New York Times Best-Selling Author
Panelists: Dean Erlandson, President, Mass Customers, Hallmark Cards, Inc. Eric Wiseman, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, VF CorporationFrank Maione, U.S. President & Chief Customer Officer, Consumer Sales, Johnson & Johnson
Innovation is not achieved randomly, through a single act of genius or unpredictable brilliance. Businesses today must master innovation if they want to remain relevant and achieve sustainable growth. Yet it is one thing to recognize the value of innovation but quite another to make it happen. This panel will examine how businesses can become incubators for innovation through creating corporate cultures that embrace change, through standardizing processes around innovation, and identifying and eliminating barriers to innovation and creativity.
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Luncheon & Business Break
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Racing to the Future: Making America More Competitive
Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President, Center for Strategic and International Studies
What are the key challenges that business leaders and policy makers will face in the years leading to 2025 and beyond? Erik Peterson, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and director of the Global Strategy Institute will offer Leadership Forum participants a glimpse into the future in areas such as energy trends, technological innovation, population growth and the economy. Benefit from his discoveries on the “seven revolutions” of change that affect companies globally and learn how to promote forward thinking by considering what these changes will mean for leadership around the world. Listen as he delivers his underlying message - we can either enact real, positive change or sit on the sidelines and risk the consequences.
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion: Making America More Competitive
Facilitator: Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Take this opportunity to discuss the issues raised by Erik in the previous session with your Leadership Forum peers. Roundtables will take on some of the topic and deal with how the retail industry can have a positive impact on America’s competitive landscape.
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
The Economy 2010: Lasting Effects of the Great PanicDavid Wessel, Economics Editor, The Wall Street Journal, Author, "In FED We Trust: Ben Bernanke's War on the Great Panic"David Wessel, Wall St. Journal's Economics Editor and best-selling author of In Fed We Trust, looks at what lessons we've learned from the Great Panic – including the housing meltdown, credit freeze, stock market crash and economic slump -- about markets, about regulation, and about human nature. Wessel argues that the U.S. narrowly averted a depression that could have rivaled what the nation saw in the 1930’s, the effects of which will be many and lasting. He takes a look at how the financial regulatory system, the SEC and the Federal Reserve will change as a result, and predicts where the economy will go from here.
4:15 - 4:45 p.m.Book Signing
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
An Evening of Dining & Entertainment with Shawn Colvin
Day 2 -- Tuesday, January 19
7:15 – 7:45 a.m.
Retail Story: GameStop
Paul Raines, Chief Operating Officer, GameStop Corporation
GameStop is the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, operating more than 6,200 retail stores worldwide. Learn from GameStop chief operating officer, J. Paul Raines, how the company has managed to thrive during difficult economic times and appeal to wide-ranging audiences by focusing all of its activities on the one thing that matters most: customer satisfaction.
Financial Panel: Retail Industry OutlookModerator: Tom Schoewe, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.Panelists: Neil Currie, Managing Director, UBS Investment ResearchRobert Ohmes, Managing Director, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Adrianne Shapira, Managing Director, Retail Analyst, Goldman Sachs & Co.
This interactive panel, moderated by a seasoned retail CFO, will feature retail analysts discussing the state of the retail industry, including principles and practices that drive effective retail performance. Hear their views on the importance of strategy, culture, operations and revenue management to value creation. Learn what the latest economic news – on new legislation, the housing market, credit, oil prices, consumer confidence, inflation, financial markets – means for retail from a Wall Street perspective.
Closing General Session: Lessons on Leadership
James Bradley, Author, "The Imperial Cruise"James Bradley, scholar of World War II and New York Times #1 bestselling author of Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys, draws upon his vast research into the Pacific War and addresses the mindset it takes to achieve success - both in combat and in life. Bradley cites examples of challenges that experts deemed "impossible" and dramatically illustrates how ordinary people did the impossible by thinking outside the box. He explores not only how victory was achieved, but also what the victory cost, in terms of human life and suffering. Bradley challenges audiences to understand and remember the example that earlier generations have set, and to move beyond the "impossibilities" in their own lives. His latest book, The Imperial Cruise, is a startling look at the events that set the stage for World War II, the Chinese Communist Revolution, and the Korean War.
11:30 a.m.
Wrap-Up & Book Signing
Leadership Forum 2011 will take place January 16-18, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida.
Hotel Information: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota1111 Ritz-Carlton DriveSarasota, Florida 34236P: 941-309-2050F: 941-309-2053
Forum attendees may make reservations at the Ritz-Carlton by calling (800) 241-3333. Please mention you are part of “RILA’s Leadership Forum” to take advantage of our special group rate of $285+ tax. Please make reservations prior to the cut-off date of December 10, 2010. Rooms are available on a first-come, space-available basis.
Recreation: Registered Leadership Forum attendees and their spouses may choose to attend a golf tournament or an activity to be announced.
Spouse Program: RILA welcomes spouses to participate in the Leadership Forum at no additional cost. Spouses are invited to attend all Leadership Forum executive educational sessions. In addition, a separate interactive/educational spouse events held during the forum. Detailed information will be sent out to the registered spouses in care of the attendee.
Conference Transfer & Cancellation Policy:Transfer Policy: This invitation to The Leadership Forum is non-transferable. If there are others in your company you would like to invite, please contact Jenny Keehan at jenny.keehan@rila.org.
Canellation Policy: All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations received by December 31, 2010, will be refunded in full. Cancellations received on or after January 1, 2011, are non-refundable. For more information, contact Sarah Wellman at sarah.wellman@rila.org or (703) 600-2052.