Program

Last Year's Program

  • Saturday Jan 27, 2024
  • Sunday Jan 28, 2024
  • Monday Jan 29, 2024
  • Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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

Elevated Dinner and Wine Experience

Pre-event dinner and wine experience for CEOs and their spouse/partner.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Executive Committee Meeting and Lunch

Private meeting and Lunch of the RILA Executive Committee.

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Board of Directors Meeting

A private meeting of the RILA Board of Directors.

4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Welcome Reception

Kick off the Retail CEO Forum at the RILA Gastropub. Join us for a casual opening reception, where you can meet and reunite with fellow Forum participants, watch the NFL Playoff games, indulge in some local Arizona cuisine, and enjoy the beautiful Sonoran sunset. Come and go as you please. Resort attire is encouraged.

7:15 AM – 8:00 AM

Breakfast

Please join us for breakfast and networking before the programming day begins.

8:00 AM – 8:20 AM

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
Corie Barry
Chief Executive Officer, Best Buy
Chairwoman, RILA
Brian Dodge
President
RILA
8:20 AM – 9:00 AM

Generative AI in Retail: Year in Review and Plan for the Future

Reflecting on the first year of Generative AI in retail, this conversation will explore its impact on customer experiences, business operations and technological evolution and the lessons learned from the early applications adopted by forward-thinking retailers. The session will differentiate Generative AI from traditional AI/ML technologies, not as a competitor but as a complement, enhancing and working in tandem to achieve business value across retail roles and tasks and look ahead to the next phase of Gen AI's influence in retail.

Speakers
Brett Leary
Managing Director, Generative AI Transformation – Global Retail Lead
Accenture
Jill Standish
Retail Senior Managing Director
Accenture
Teresa Tung
Cloud First Chief Technologist
Accenture
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

9:20 AM – 10:00 AM

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
Brian Dodge
President
RILA
Ken Hicks
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
Academy Sports + Outdoors
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

10:20 AM – 11:00 AM

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
Erik Nordstrom
Chief Executive Officer
Nordstrom
Courtney Reagan
Senior Retail Reporter
CNBC
Russell Weiner
Chief Executive Officer
Domino's
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM

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
Ann Davison
City Attorney
Seattle City Attorney's Office
Lisa LaBruno
Senior Executive Vice President, Retail Operations
RILA
Leesa Manion
Prosecuting Attorney
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Jeff Reisig
District Attorney
Yolo County District Attorney's Office
12:00 PM – 1:20 PM

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

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
Meg Ham
President
Food Lion
Anthony Hucker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Southeastern Grocers
David Sinclair
Partner
OC&C Strategy Consultants
Pamela Stewart
Chief Customer Officer – Retail North America Operating Unit
The Coca-Cola Company
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

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
Eric Pliner
Managing Director, Global Lead for Leadership & Culture, Accenture
Chief Executive Officer, YSC Consulting, Part of Accenture
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM

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
Timothy Baer
Partner
TRB Partners
Anne M. Mulcahy
Lead Director
Johnson & Johnson
Courtney Reagan
Senior Retail Reporter
CNBC
Dona D. Young
Chair, Board of Directors
Foot Locker
4:00 PM – 4:20 PM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

4:20 PM – 5:30 PM

State of Retail in 2024

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
Ted Decker
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
The Home Depot
Tim Ingrassia
Co-Chairman, Global Mergers & Acquisitions, IBD
Goldman Sachs
Dave Kimbell
Chief Executive Officer
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Vishaal Rana
Managing Director, Cross Markets Consumer Retail Group, IBD
Goldman Sachs
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Sonoran Starlight Dinner

Join us for an unforgettable evening beneath the Sonoran desert sky. Enjoy a delicious dinner inspired by regional flavors, play Glow Golf under the stars, savor live music, and conclude the night with captivating star gazing. This celestial celebration offers a unique mix of gourmet delights and cosmic insights, promising an exceptional desert experience.

8:15 AM – 9:00 AM

Breakfast

Please join us for breakfast and networking before the programming day begins.

9:00 AM – 10:05 AM

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
Elise Crumbine
Chief Investment Officer
Interval Partners: Stormborn Fund
Janet King
Executive Director
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Michael Lasser
US Equity Research Analyst - Consumer Hardlines
UBS Financial Services
Hal Lawton
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tractor Supply
10:05 AM – 10:25 AM

Executive Connection

Enjoy some lite fair and refreshments while you connect with other executives.

10:25 AM – 11:15 AM

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
Corie Barry
Chief Executive Officer, Best Buy
Chairwoman, RILA
George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States & Founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Attend the can’t miss event for retail executives!