MAY 13-15, 2024

SHERATON HOTEL + CONFERENCE CENTER

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

REGISTERED RETAILERS

SEE WHO’S SPEAKING

Here’s a preview of some of our featured speakers at the event!

Check back often as we add new speakers.

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PRESENTATIONS

Check back often as we add more.

From Worst to First: The Master Class Re-branding of The Fresh Market

Kevin Miller, CMO, The Fresh Market

What do you do when business is negative and you’ve just been ranked “The Worst Company in America to Work for” by Glassdoor? Find out what went into the turnaround and how anchoring the turnaround in The Fresh Market’s brand promise has resulted in The Fresh Market being voted the #1 Best Supermarket in America for three consecutive years.

Connecting with Purpose: The Strategic Evolution of CVS Store Brands

Mike Wier, VP Store Brands, CVS HEALTH

Join us for an insightful exploration of the transformational journey of CVS Pharmacy-owned brands. Delve into their strategic evolution and discover how CVS is connecting with the purpose of enhancing the customer experience and driving brand loyalty.

Crafting Innovation: A Fireside Chat on Whole Foods’ Private Brand Revolution

Rachel Bukowski, Director – Research and Development, Private Label, Whole Foods
Christopher Durham, President, Velocity Institute

Join the pair for an insightful conversation about the journey that has propelled Whole Foods’ private brands to the forefront of design, innovation and excellence. From sustainable sourcing to sensational flavors, discover the ethos and passion behind each brand, and uncover the strategies that have shaped Whole Foods.

Insights and Innovations : Unlocking Success in Retailer-Owned Brands

Dan Muller, Senior Director, IGA Exclusive Brands, IGA
Marybeth Brejnick, Director Private Brands, Events and Strategic Partnerships, Navy Exchange
Julie Lassow, Owner & Principal, JHL Solutions

Dive into the heart of Retailer-owned Brands with this panel discussion moderated by Juli Lassow. Join industry luminaries Dan Muller of IGA, and Marybeth Brejnick of Navy Exchange as they share insights into the current landscape of private brand, collaboration, and consumer insights. Explore the dynamic interplay between innovation and consumer demand, and gain valuable perspectives on the future trajectory of Retailer-Owned Brands.

Designing for Differentiation: Strategies for Retailer-Owned Brand Success

Shannon Colamarino, Director of Brand Strategy, Giant Eagle
Charlene Codner, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Fish Agency
Andy Johnson, Commercial Director, Sun Branding
Matt Clemens, Managing Partner, Contrast
Julie Lassow, Owner & Principal, JHL Solutions

Embark on a dynamic exploration of the evolving landscape of Retailer-owned Brands and package design in this panel discussion moderated by Christopher Durham. Join industry experts Shannon Colamarino of Giant Eagle, Charlene Codner of the Fish Agency, Andy Johnson of Sun Branding, and Matt Clemens of Contrast as they dissect the current state of private brands and design. Gain valuable insights into the role of design in creating differentiation and fostering passionate loyalty among private brand shoppers.

Unveiling the Power of Private Brands: A Fireside Chat with Dan Fairbanks of PriceSmart

Dan Fairbanks, Vice President, Global Private Label at PriceSmart
Maria Dubuc, President, MBD

Join Maria Dubuc of MBD and Dan Fairbanks, Vice President of Global Private Label at PriceSmart, Inc., for a captivating fireside chat. Delve into the strategic world of private brands as they discuss how private brands have become a powerful differentiator for PriceSmart. Discover how leveraging buying power and a deep understanding of their core Hispanic shopper has propelled PriceSmart to success.

Beyond Private Brand: Unveiling the Potential of Retailer-owned Brands

Christopher Durham, President, Velocity Institute

In this presentation, Durham will delve into the dynamic landscape of Retailer-owned Brands, shedding light on their transformative power beyond traditional private labeling. Discover how these brands are reshaping consumer experiences, driving innovation, and revolutionizing the retail industry. Get ready to be empowered as Durham shares insights, strategies, and real-world examples that will propel your business forward.

The New Value Equation for Retailer-Owned Brands

Josh McCann, Head of HQ Client Delivery and Analytics, US Customer-Centric Retailing, SymphonyAI Retail

Retailer-owned brands face new pressures as price gaps with national brands have narrowed amid increased promotions and persistent inflation. To identify new growth opportunities in a dynamic market with shifting perceptions of value, SymphonyAI conducted a global study of shopper data involving 83 million households and 1.4 billion transactions. Join SymphonyAI’s Josh McCann for fresh perspective on the evolving role of retailer-owned brands and data-driven strategies to tap new opportunities.

Beyond the hype: the collision of brands, culture, creativity and technology.

Kurt Kretten, Chief Creative Officer, Marks

Advances in AI have born powerful creative tools that are beginning to change the way we design and build brands. Game-changing developments with mind-blowing capabilities are announced (what feels like) every day. Adapt or die, we’re told.

It’s no doubt that we’re at serious inflection point. What we’re seeing is frighteningly impressive, but AI is no magic bullet. The realities of what AI can deliver and the practicalities of adopting it fall miles short of the hype, particularly in the world of brand design.

Meanwhile, an emergent cultural backlash against AI is gathering momentum. Alarmingly deceptive content is on the rise, signposting towards a global breakdown in trust. What if soon, we can no longer believe our eyes?

Kretten, looks to unpack what this collision between tech, brands and culture really means for brands. Drawing on the perspectives and experiences implementing programs and campaigns using emergent technology for the world’s biggest brands and retailers, he’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of adopting AI in creative workflows – and the implications confronting private brands.

From Strategy to Struggle: The Reality of Private Brand Systems Dysfunction

James Butcher, Founder & CEO, Innoscope

In a world where time-to-market is paramount, James Butcher shines a light on the stark reality of North America’s lag in Retailer-owned Brand product launches compared to its global counterparts. Drawing from international Private Brand examples, he highlights common mistakes in sourcing and managing the innovation funnel and the too often mismatch between private label systems and strategy.

Butcher distills actionable takeaways to accelerate time-to-market for Private Brand products and deliver on strategy.

Private Brands in the Corrections Industry

Jen Linke, Vice President of Procurement Union Supply Group, a division of Aramark

Learn why private brands have flourished in the corrections industry and how product development is different than traditional grocery retail.

Understanding Your Workstyle and How It Impacts Emotional Intelligence SPONSORED BY WISE

Kevin Coale, Speaker and Executive Coach, Execuinsights

Most organizations recognize that the best teams leverage diversity to achieve long-term success. Many think about it in terms such as: gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and/or age. Sometimes they also consider organizational attributes, like function or rank. Yet there’s another kind of diversity that might be even more helpful: differences in work style — or the way in which we think about, organize, communicate, and complete tasks.

In this session, we will look at your workstyle and help you to understand what your underlying needs are so that you can be at your best and we’ll help you to see what stress looks like when your needs are not met. As you better understand your own workstyle you then will begin to understand how to flex to meet others’ needs ultimately growing your own level of emotional intelligence. This leads to a more inclusive environment for all.

Join us for this engaging, fun and informative session. You will leave with tools that you can use immediately in your work and personal life.