Chairman's Reception and Dinner

RILA Board of Directors Meeting

Pre-Conference: Historic Palm Beach Bike Tour

Pre-Conference1: Scenic Mansion Tour

Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

The Retail CEO Forum will open with the themes that will drive RILA's work on behalf of the industry for 2019.

Speakers

Mary Dillon

Chairman, RILA; Chief Executive Officer

Ulta Beauty, Inc.

Brian Dodge

President

RILA

Responsible Retailing in an Era of Disruption

There is no doubt that we are living in a polarizing world. The ubiquity of technology has fostered the sharing of ideas and movements in moments. Topics such as climate change, #MeToo, and the global political landscape have dominated headlines. People have found their voice across all demographics; race, gender, age, sexual orientation and political parties. These “stakeholders” are impacting a “retailer’s” business with “their” dollars.

With the race to remain relevant in a disrupted industry like retail, how can retailers stay true to their purpose while still remaining profitable? Those retailers that are strategizing through the lens of responsibility in delivering value to their stakeholders are leading the future of our industry. Accenture calls this Responsible Retail.

Accenture will share research that shows that consumers are starting to shift their discretionary spending to support the responsible retail theory, and highlights of retailers that have adopted these practices and grown their business.

Resources:
Responsible Retail — Being Great Means Doing Good [Report]
The 100 Most Visible Companies [Axios + The Harris Poll]

Speakers

Cara Smyth

Founder, Fair Fashion Center

Accenture

Jill Standish

Senior Managing Director, Global Retail Consulting Practice

Accenture

Jim Vandehei

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Axios

Retail Spotlight: Dollar General

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for 80 years through its mission of Serving Others. Dollar General’s incredible growth over the past decade is a testament to their culture and leadership. In a fireside chat setting, CEO Todd Vasos will share more about Dollar General’s story, their growth strategy, the company's digital journey and his views on what it takes to be a leader today.

Speakers

Brian Dodge

President

RILA

Todd Vasos

Chief Executive Officer

Dollar General

Leading Executive Teams with Radical Candor

Kim Scott uses her experience as a senior executive at Apple and Google and coach of many Silicon Valley chief executive officers to create her management philosophy, dubbed Radical Candor, which explores how to be a great boss without losing your Humanity. Ms. Scott will share her views on the personal relationship that leaders must develop with their teams in order to effectively provide candid input, and facilitate a discussion with attendees about individual approaches to leading effective teams, including inviting debate, reaching decisions, implementing strategy and reviewing and refining actions.

Executive Luncheon

The Evolution of America at Work

For centuries, societal changes and new technologies have shaped work in America. Looking ahead, automation promises to once again transform how and where Americans work. Given retailers’ place in the economy, now is the time to consider this evolution and the economic transition that will result. Walmart Foundation President Kathleen McLaughlin will share insights from their 2019 report, America at Work: A National Mosaic and Roadmap for Tomorrow and how retailers and other stakeholders can prepare for this important transition.

Speaker

Kathleen McLaughlin

EVP & Chief Sustainability Officer, President, Walmart Foundation

Walmart Inc.

Build, Buy or Partner: A Case Study in Acquiring Cutting-Edge Technology

In March 2019, McDonald’s announced it was acquiring AI-based personalization engine Dynamic Yield for an estimated $300 million, its largest acquisition in 20 years. McDonald’s said it will use this technology to create a drive-thru menu that can be tailored to things like the weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The acquisition was noteworthy for many reasons, including the fact that Dynamic Yield's technology is not just powering new McDonald's offerings, but also many retailer experiences. Join the Founder and CEO of Dynamic Yield and the SVP of Marketing Technology at McDonald's as they discuss how the partnership first came about, why McDonald's made the decision to acquire the technology provider, and how the two companies are working together to create groundbreaking new personalized experiences.

Speakers

Liad Agmon

Co-Founder & CEO

Dynamic Yield

Bob Rupczynski

Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology

McDonald's

Zia Daniell Wigder

Chief Global Content Officer

Shoptalk

The Equal Opportunity Political Inquisition

Chris Wallace is typically the one asking questions, here he will be the one answering them. Former Counselor to President George W. Bush and 2017 candidate for Governor of Viginia Ed Gillespie will turn the table on Fox News Sunday Host Chris Wallace in an interview about the state of media and the business of covering politics and policymakers today. This candid conversation gives attendees an inside look at Washington from the point of view of this veteran journalist who, as described recently by The Hill newspaper, "has carved out a reputation as a tough but fair interviewer who has gotten the best of members of both parties."

Speakers

Ed Gillespie

Renowned GOP Strategist

Chris Wallace

Anchor

FOX News Sunday

Night on the Boardwalk

Breakfast

Welcome Day Two

Retailers, Investors and ESG

Investors are increasingly using Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria to evaluate company performance. What does this mean long-term for retailers? How can retailers anticipate and prepare for the evolution of ESG expectations?

Speakers

Katherine Collins

Head of Sustainable Investing

Putnam Investments

Drew Hambly

Executive Director, Corporate Governance

Morgan Stanley

Christina Maguire

Managing Director, Governance Policy & Operations

BNY Mellon

Teresa Roseborough

Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

The Home Depot

Leadership and Risk Management: Taking Command

Admiral William H. McRaven will share highlights of his exceptional leadership experiences, exploring today’s geopolitical environment and a look forward to America’s place in an ever-changing global community. His principles of leadership and risk management are applicable to any organization and he emphasizes the necessity of preparation, order and discipline, knowing that they are naught without a distinct and meaningful purpose or goal. He shares impactful narratives, lessons and insights on authority amidst turmoil and instability, the force of teamwork and personal initiative, resilience in the face of opposition, and the unconditional importance of never giving up. He challenges us to accept responsibility, be creative within the rules, take control of our circumstances, and maintain focus during times of conflict, as he inspires us to apply his diligence, courage and risk management strategies.

Speaker

ADM William H. McRaven USN (Ret.)

Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations

Forum Wrap-Up and Book Signing