Program
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Optional pre-conference social activities begin on Saturday, January 27th. Join us for a pre-event hiking experience for CEOs and their families/partners led by an REI expert guide to explore the Sonoran Desert's landscape.
Conference programming begins with our opening welcome reception on Sunday, January 28th. Executive Leadership Sessions begin Monday morning and are led by thought leaders in retail, media, finance, and government. They'll showcase different perspectives, leadership strategies, and a forward-thinking approach followed by in-depth breakout discussions. If you have any questions about the schedule or related conference activities, don't hesitate to contact Kelly Foelber.
- Saturday Jan 27, 2024
- Sunday Jan 28, 2024
- Monday Jan 29, 2024
- Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
- 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
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REI Guided Hike through the Sonoran Desert
Join us for a pre-event hiking experience for CEOs and their families/partners led by an REI expert guide to explore the Sonoran Desert's landscape. REI's guided tour will showcase the breadth of how retailers engage with customers and ensure an exceptional day of hiking and exploration. - 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Elevated Dinner and Wine Experience
Pre-event dinner and wine experience for CEOs and their spouse/partner.
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
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Executive Committee Meeting and Lunch
Private meeting and Lunch of the RILA Executive Committee. - 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Board of Directors Meeting
A private meeting of the RILA Board of Directors. - 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Welcome Reception
Kick off the Retail CEO Forum at this casual opening reception, where you can meet and reunite with fellow Forum participants. Dress casually for a relaxed evening of fun and networking.
- 7:15 AM – 8:00 AM
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Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the programming day begins. - 8:00 AM – 8:20 AM
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Welcome to the RILA Retail CEO Forum 2024
RILA Chair and Best Buy CEO Corie Barry and RILA President Brian Dodge kick off the Retail CEO Forum 2024.- Speakers
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Corie Barry
Chief Executive Officer, Best BuyChairwoman, RILA
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Brian Dodge
PresidentRILA
- 8:20 AM – 9:00 AM
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AI and Retail: The Next Inflection Point
Leading retailers are experimenting with practical use cases for Gen AI. This conversation will explore the lessons learned from the accelerating use of Gen AI and LLMs and the strategic considerations smart CEOs will undertake as they invest in evolving operations and training their teams for the future.- Speakers
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Lan Guan
Chief AI OfficerAccenture
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Brett Leary
Managing Director, Generative AI Transformation – Global Retail LeadAccenture
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Jill Standish
Retail Senior Managing DirectorAccenture
- 9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 9:20 AM – 10:00 AM
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CEO Leadership Spotlight: Ken Hicks, Executive Chairman, Academy Sports + Outdoors
It’s not about the leader, it’s about the team. That’s been Ken Hicks’ view since he was a young army officer. For the entirety of his career, Ken has measured his success based on the advancement of those around him. In this session, Ken will share his reflections on leadership and the management skills that stand the test of time.- Speakers
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Brian Dodge
PresidentRILA
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Ken Hicks
Executive Chairman of the Board of DirectorsAcademy Sports + Outdoors
- 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 10:20 AM – 11:00 AM
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Delighting Customers in a Rapidly Changing World
Customer expectations are always evolving and fed by experiences within and well beyond retail. Panelists will share how they have built a culture capable of delivering excellent services in the face of changing customer expectations and workforce turnover.- Speakers
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Erik Nordstrom
Chief Executive OfficerNordstrom
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Courtney Reagan
Senior Retail ReporterCNBC
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Russell Weiner
Chief Executive OfficerDomino's
- 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM
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Vibrant Communities Initiative: Unveiling Early Learnings
To address safety concerns of employees and consumers, RILA launched a partnership among public and private stakeholders focused on identifying and tackling issues that contribute to the increase in crime, violence, vagrancy, and blight in and around retail environments, business districts and communities across the country. Hear the initial learnings from two pilot communities and a preview of a national playbook.- Speakers
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Ann Davison
City AttorneySeattle City Attorney's Office
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Lisa LaBruno
Senior Executive Vice President, Retail OperationsRILA
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Leesa Manion
Prosecuting AttorneyKing County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
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Jeff Reisig
District AttorneyYolo County District Attorney's Office
- 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM
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Executive Luncheon
Getting to know your peers in the industry is a key opportunity of the CEO Forum, and this informal networking lunch is a perfect setting to meet and connect. - 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM
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Recruiting the Right Talent to Power the New Retail
Building a retail workforce with the right blend of talent and skills to serve customers across channels is a key challenge for leading retailers. This conversation will provide specifics about how to compete with the gig economy to win the workforce to power the new retail.- Speakers
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Meg Ham
PresidentFood Lion
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Anthony Hucker
President & Chief Executive OfficerSoutheastern Grocers
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David Sinclair
PartnerOC&C Strategy Consultants
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Pamela Stewart
Chief Customer Officer – Retail North America Operating UnitThe Coca-Cola Company
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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Executive Leadership Conversations
The unique Retail CEO Forum audience will turn toward their peers to engage in facilitated executive leadership conversations to prepare, develop, and energize inspired leaders and solutions for the future.- Speaker
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Eric Pliner
Managing Director, Global Lead for Leadership & Culture, AccentureChief Executive Officer, YSC Consulting, Part of Accenture
- 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM
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Perspectives from the Boardroom
Corporate Boards are faced with a new set of challenges navigating a more turbulent future. This conversation will feature insights about the pressures on today’s directors and observations on how to maximize the value of the board-management relationship.- Speakers
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Timothy Baer
PartnerTRB Partners
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Anne M. Mulcahy
Lead DirectorJohnson & Johnson
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Courtney Reagan
Senior Retail ReporterCNBC
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Dona D. Young
Chair, Board of DirectorsFoot Locker
- 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 4:20 PM – 5:30 PM
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Economy and Retail
During this live podcast recording, panelists will share their views on the state of the consumer and the economy in the New Year, and how they make decisions in such complex times.- Speakers
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Ted Decker
Chairman, President and Chief Executive OfficerThe Home Depot
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Mary Dillon
President and Chief Executive OfficerFoot Locker
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Tim Ingrassia
Co-Chairman, Global Mergers & Acquisitions, IBDGoldman Sachs
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Vishaal Rana
Managing Director, Cross Markets Consumer Retail Group, IBDGoldman Sachs
- 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
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Monday Night Dinner & Entertainment
End the day with an informal dinner and entertainment – another casual and fun networking opportunity.
- 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM
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Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the programming day begins. - 9:00 AM – 10:05 AM
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Wall Street’s View of Retail in 2024
Investors are typically the ones asking the hard questions, in this session the tables are turned. These investors and analysts will share their views on retail in the year ahead, as well as a bit about their craft and how leaders can successfully engage with stakeholders on Wall Street.- Speakers
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Elise Crumbine
Chief Investment OfficerStormborn Capital Management
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Janet King
Executive DirectorJ.P. Morgan Asset Management
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Michael Lasser
US Equity Research Analyst - Consumer HardlinesUBS Financial Services
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Hal Lawton
President & Chief Executive OfficerTractor Supply
- 10:05 AM – 10:25 AM
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Executive Connection
Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives. - 10:25 AM – 11:15 AM
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Conversation with President George W. Bush
From geopolitical change to economic challenges, the 43rd President of the United States navigated every aspect of the country’s most difficult job. Join President Bush and Best Buy CEO Corie Barry for a conversation about leadership, politics, and legacy.- Speakers
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Corie Barry
Chief Executive Officer, Best BuyChairwoman, RILA
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George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States & Founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center