Program at a Glance
Explore the schedule for the Retail CEO Forum, where retail’s most influential leaders gather for strategic conversations, industry insights, and meaningful connections.
The Most Interesting Room in Retail™
A strategic retreat for the industry’s top leaders.
The Retail CEO Forum is RILA’s most exclusive event—an invitation-only experience for chief executives shaping the future of retail. Held January 30 - February 2, 2027, in Palm Beach, FL, the Forum is designed for clarity, connection, and candid conversation. Over three days, retail’s top CEOs step away from daily demands to reflect, recharge, and engage on the issues that matter most.
Attend the can’t miss event for retail executives!
Our Speakers
Meet Our Featured Speakers
Featuring CEOs, global experts, and senior leaders bringing their perspectives and expertise to this year’s Retail CEO Forum.
Boney Poovan
Investment Analyst
Monday February 1, 2027
2:10 PM - 2:50 PM
| A Story the Market Believes
Brian Dodge
President & Chief Executive Officer
Monday February 1, 2027
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
| Purpose That Moves the Needle: How Retail Can Advance Science, Serve Customers, and Earn Trust
David Petraeus
General, U.S. Army (Ret.); Partner, KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute;
Tuesday February 2, 2027
8:35 AM - 9:15 AM
| When the World Reorders: Conversation with David Petraeus
Donna McKay
President & CEO
Monday February 1, 2027
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
| Purpose That Moves the Needle: How Retail Can Advance Science, Serve Customers, and Earn Trust
George Mrkonic
Board Director, AutoZone
Tuesday February 2, 2027
9:15 AM - 9:55 AM
| What the Board Sees
Gregory Fowlkes
Managing Director
Gregory G. Fowlkes, managing director, is an analyst in the U.S. Equity Group covering the retail sector. An employee since 2005, Gregory was previously a co-manager in the Large Cap Core strategy and prior to that he covered retail and apparel as an analyst in the U.S. Equity Research Group. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Morgan Stanley as a senior research analyst covering broadlines and specialty retail, and as buyer in the retail industry. Gregory earned a B.A. in religious studies from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
Tuesday January 23, 2018
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
| Retail, Wall Street, Valuations & Metrics in the Age of Disruption
Kecia Steelman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Monday February 1, 2027
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
| Purpose That Moves the Needle: How Retail Can Advance Science, Serve Customers, and Earn Trust
Lizanne Kindler
Chief Executive Officer
Monday February 1, 2027
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
| Purpose That Moves the Needle: How Retail Can Advance Science, Serve Customers, and Earn Trust
Mary Winston
Board Director
Tuesday February 2, 2027
9:15 AM - 9:55 AM
| What the Board Sees
Matt Harrington
Executive Vice Chairman
Monday February 1, 2027
8:30 AM - 9:10 AM
| The State of Trust: What the Pressured Consumer Believes Now
Melinda Whittington
Board Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer
Nicholas Whittall
Managing Director, Strategy, Talent & Organization
Nicholas is a Managing Director within Accenture Strategy, Talent & Organization. He has extensive experience assisting clients in the development and management of their most complex talent, leadership, culture and change transformations. Nicholas has been at the forefront of partnering with some of the world’s largest organizations to determine how they rethink the future of work and the workforce. He’s helped to design new business models that leverage technology to expand the concept of the workforce, and used data to predict where the biggest disruption to the workforce might occur. Nicholas leads Accenture’s Future Workforce practice globally, with a focus on partnering with our clients to future-proof their talent strategies in the face of automation, AI, emerging workforce models and new talent pools enabled by digital platforms. Nicholas is based in Minneapolis, but has also lived and worked on projects for Accenture in Africa, Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.
Wednesday February 17, 2021
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
| The State of Remote Work: Balancing Culture, Productivity & Wellness
Peter Gleason
President & CEO
Tuesday February 2, 2027
9:15 AM - 9:55 AM
| What the Board Sees
Phil Daniele
Chief Executive Officer, AutoZone
Simeon Gutman
Managing Director
Monday February 1, 2027
2:10 PM - 2:50 PM
| A Story the Market Believes
Ted Dysart
Managing Director
Tuesday February 2, 2027
9:15 AM - 9:55 AM
| What the Board Sees
Inside the Retail CEO Forum
Discover how the Forum creates a private space for top executives to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and build lasting relationships with peers.
Speakers & Thought Leaders
Hear from leading CEOs, economists, and global experts discussing the trends shaping retail, leadership, and innovation.
Who Attends
Join an invitation-only community of retail leaders who gather each year to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships across the industry.
Spouse & Guest Activities
Guests are invited to enjoy curated social experiences and leisure activities designed to complement the Forum and create shared moments throughout the weekend.
Eau Resort & Spa
The Retail CEO Forum takes place at a world-class destination designed for reflection, connection, and executive engagement.
Industry Perspective
The RILA Retail CEO Forum is a great opportunity for senior retail leaders to connect with peers, share insights and learn from leading experts on a wide range of topics including the economy, world affairs and politics. The relaxed environment provides a perfect backdrop to have genuine and meaningful conversations on the opportunities and risks that are impacting our stakeholders – from employees to customers to our industry – and ultimately shaping the world around us.
Corie Barry
CEO
- Best Buy Co., Inc.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor
Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company helping businesses, governments, and organizations build their digital core, optimize operations, and accelerate growth. With 738,000 people across 120+ countries, we combine deep industry expertise, advanced technology, and strong ecosystem partnerships to deliver measurable outcomes. Our services span Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X, and Accenture Song—driving 360° value for clients and communities worldwide.