On May 16, we’re diving deep into the dynamic world of Retail Brand (private brand/private label), and we’re thrilled to announce our final packed Velocity Conference agenda for our historic return to in person events. The conference is overflowing with some of the biggest names and most exciting leaders in the industry. REGISTER NOW!
We’ll be joined by some of the biggest names and the smartest and most prescient people in the industry, including Alberto Galvan at Albertsons, Brenda Lord at CVS Health, Chris Skyers at Wakefern, Sarah Dodd at Lowe’s Home Improvement, Bob Himler at Rite Aid and Susan Sanderson -Briggs at Party City.
You’ll be able to find and engage with people from across the industry live and in person.
The Conference Rate at the official hotel the Westin Charlotte is $209 and expires May 24th
Our agenda showcases some of the powerhouses in the space, but also plenty of thought leaders that are redefining the future of Retail Brands. Check it out!
MONDAY, MAY 16
| 4:00 – 6:00 Crown Ballroom Foyer |
Registration |
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| 5:00 – 7:30 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Opening Cocktail Receptionpresented by Marketing by Design (MBD) |
TUESDAY, MAY 17
| 7:30 – 10:00 Crown Ballroom Foyer |
Registration |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Continental Breakfast + Networking |
| 9:00 – 9:10 Crown Ballroom |
WelcomeLaraine Durham, VP of Events & Marketing, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
| 9:10 – 9:30 Crown Ballroom |
Be Bold. The Future is Now!Christopher presents a vision for Retail Brand of the future and the groundbreaking plans for the Velocity Institute. Christopher Durham, President, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
| 9:30 – 10:00 Crown Ballroom |
Reinventing Wakefern BrandsLessons learned while reinventing and growing the Wakefern brand portfolio during the pandemic. Chris Skyers, VP Own Brands, WAKEFERNGlenn Pfieffer, Design & Packaging Manager, Own Brands, WAKEFERN |
| 10:00 – 10:30 Crown Ballroom |
5 Things I’ve Learned from Judging the Vertex AwardsMaria will take you inside her thoughts on the trends shaping Retail Brands, her experience judging and the changing industry. Maria Dubuc, President, MARKETING BY DESIGN (MBD) |
| 10:30-11:00 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Innovation Expo Networking BreakExplore the Innovation Expo exhibitors and network with industry peers. |
| 11:00 – 11:30 Crown Ballroom |
Let’s Get this Party Started – Building Brands at Party CityThe pair will present a look inside the specialty retailer and its development of consumer-focused relevant brands. Susan Sanderson -Briggs, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Brand & Marketing, PARTY CITYLinda Severin, Sr Director Brand Management and Communications Sr, PARTY CITY |
| 11:30 – 12:00 Crown Ballroom |
The Inclusion Imperative: The Mindset Shift to Innovation for Retail BrandsPresented by WISEIn this engaging session we will uncover why leading Retail Brands (private brands) see the imperative to apply an inclusion mindset shift to their DEI and overall business strategies. In the midst of one of the greatest social justice movements, the diversity among generations in consumers and employees, along with the lingering impact of Covid-19, savvy retailer brand managers have a sense of urgency to integrate inclusion as a means to innovation and engagement. You will walk away with 3 key steps that will help you no matter where you are in your journey. Erika Walker, CEO, THE WALKER THOMAS GROUPJudy Clark, CEO, FRESH TEXAS, Board Member WISE |
| 12:00 – 1:00 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Lunch & Networkingsponsored by JPG, Opal BPM & Contrast |
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1:00 – 2:00 Crown Ballroom |
Velocity Fast Track: 5 PitchesWatch as the Fast Track finalists present new ideas and products to retail leaders that can accelerate private label innovation. The final five will get their chance to pitch directly to retail senior executives on the Velocity main stage. If it all sounds a bit like ABC’s Shark Tank, that’s because the TV show helped inspire Velocity Fast Track. Beto Galvan, VP of Own Brands Innovation & Product Management, ALBERTSONSBrenda Lord, VP, Private Brands & Quality Assurance, CVS HEALTHBrandon Wehmeyer, Private Brands Category Business Manager, FAMILY DOLLARChristopher Durham, President, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
| 2:00 – 2:30 Crown Ballroom |
Building Brands: The Lowe’s Home Improvement StoryA fireside chat with Sarah Dodd, SVP Global Merchandising of Lowe’s Home Improvement, and Christopher Durham, President of Velocity Institute Sarah Dodd, SVP Global Merchandising, LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT |
| 3:00 – 3:30 Crown Ballroom |
Don’t Live With Innovation, Thrive With ItThe past two years have given retailers and their brands full permission to push innovation into new spaces. Join Katie to hear how to create a culture that inspires teams to thrive with innovation. Katie Kelly-Landberg, Vice President Management, PERISCOPE |
| 3:30-4:00 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Innovation Expo Networking BreakExplore the Innovation Expo exhibitors and network with industry peers. |
| 4:00 – 4:30 Crown Ballroom |
How to build a more successful, sustainable retail brand through supplier collaborationModerated by David Orgel Lisa Robinson-Davis, VP of Quality, Process Management & Compliance, PETSMARTJames Butcher, Director, SUPPLY PILOT (formerly S4RB)Chandi Gmuer, VP Consumer Research and Product Testing, CONSUMER SCIENCEDavid Orgel, Consultant + Editor, DAVID ORGEL CONSULTING |
| 4:00 – 5:00 INNOVATION EXPO Crown Ballroom |
Vertex Awards Ceremony & InterviewsSee the best Retail Brand package design as the 2022 winners accept their awards live on the Velocity main stage. Best of Show, Retailer of the Year, Agency of the Year and Publishers Choice winners will be interviewed. |
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5:30 – 7:00 INNOVATION EXPO |
Winner’s Circle Cocktail Party in the NASCAR Hall of Famepresented by EquatorJoin us among racing legends to network, engage and win at the Winner’s Circle Happy Hour. Velocity attendees will walk across into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The high-tech venue. designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop, and the NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio |
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
|
8:00 – 9:00 INNOVATION EXPO |
Continental Breakfast + Netkaworking |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:10 Crown Ballroom |
WelcomeLaraine Durham, VP of Events & Marketing, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
|
9:00 – 9:30 |
Insights for 2022 & BeyondChristopher Durham, President, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
|
9:30 – 10:00 |
Inviting Acceleration to DinnerStacie Sopinka, VP Own Brands at Canadian grocer Sobeys, will discuss how retailers and their brands can effectively respond to changing consumer behavior dynamics and supply chain uncertainty. Stacie Sopinka, VP Own Brands, SOBEYS |
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10:00 – 10:30 |
Packaging Design Reimagined: Thinking Globally, Executing LocallyWith the rapid growth of e-commerce, packaging design has become interconnected, with global trends influencing local design more than ever before. In this segment, Daymon’s global design agency will unveil 5 key was to continue building excitement within your Private Brand Packaging program, uncovering the benefits of bringing global design to the markets you serve. ANDRE LOMBARD, Global Executive Creative Director, DAYMON |
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10:30-11:00 |
Innovation Expo Networking BreakExplore the Innovation Expo exhibitors and network with industry peers. |
|
11:00 – 11:30 |
Viva IRL: An Experiential Evolution.There is no new normal, consumers aren’t interested in returning to the status quo, and retailers will need to respond accordingly. Retail owned brands (private brands) must evolve to meet the needs of modern consumers. Today’s consumers are experiencing a longing for fundamental, human connection and profound, intense sensory experiences —a yearning for the visceral rather than the virtual. Goodpaster and Pompilio will unpack a shift they are calling Viva IRL. The pair will explore the impact of the shift, new consumer types and the new opportunities this presents for modern private brands. Bryan Goodpaster, VP Foresight & Cultural Strategy, MARKSAnna Pompilio, Senior Cultural Strategist, MARKS |
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11:30 – 12:00 |
Collaborating to Innovate:
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1200 – 1:00 |
Lunch & Networking |
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1:00 – 1:30 |
Innovation & Collaboration – the Future of Retail BrandsA panel moderated by Christopher Durham that dives deep into the potential of collaborative innovation. Beto Galvan, VP of Own Brands Innovation & Product Management, ALBERTSONSHeather Corkery, Executive Director Store Brands, CVS HEALTHKara Miencier, Sales Executive, PARAMOUNT ROASTERSZane Adams, CO CEO / CMP, FEDUP FOODSChristopher Durham, President, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
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1:30 – 2:00 |
How Retailers leverage sustainability to drive loyaltyWith the sustainable shopping sector on the rise, Tolbert will share what consumers are looking for from private brands and share examples of how Retailers can leverage sustainability to drive brand engagement. Lauren Tolbert, Partnership Development Manager – Retail & Food Services, FAIR TRADE USA |
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2:00 – 2:30 |
If You Love Them, Set Them Free: Accelerating Change to WinThe market waits for no one. Accelerate the scope of brand transformation required to meet the needs of new consumers in a constantly changing world, even if it means saying goodbye to the brands you’ve loved. Bob Himler, Vice President Own Brand Development, RITE AID |
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2:30 – 3:00 |
5 Takeaways & RaffleChristopher Durham wraps it up wit five key takeaways. Make sure to stay to the end of the event to be eligible for Conference Raffle and win free event tickets, electronics, etc. Must be present to win! Christopher Durham, President, VELOCITY INSTITUTE |
About the Author: Christopher Durham
