On October 24, Portland is Ground Zero for the Retail Revolution. That’s because Retail Revolutionaries of all stripes - thought leaders, technology innovators, and entrepreneurs will all come together, joined by the next generation of business disruptors in the form of PSU business school students - to explore best next practices that will reshape the new customer-centric retail narrative. It will be a provocative afternoon of short-format talks, panel discussions, audience participation, hands-on demonstrations and podcasts ... all designed to expand your consciousness and give provide an action plan for a relevant and resonant future.

RETAIL REVOLUTION

Cosponsored by the Center for Retail Leadership,

Retail Tomorrow/GMDC and Kevin Coupe

11:00 -12:30 - Exhibitors, Networking, Tasting

Join us for a tasting experience outside of the auditorium curated by New Seasons. Featuring local bites from vendors like Hot Mama Salsa, Three Sisters Tortillas, and Honey Mama’s.

12:30-12:45 - Open/Welcome - Cliff Allen, Dean, PSU Business School

12:45-1:05 - Keynote - Justin Forsett, Founder & CEO Showerpill & NFL Running Back

1:05-2:00 - Startup Pod (see below) & Panel Discussion

The shape of retail tomorrow inevitably will be sculpted by startup companies with a unique view of how commerce will be conducted and consumers will be influenced.  In this session, we've pulled together three unique individuals to talk about their nascent companies - Trestle, which is enabling the application of social consciousness when making shopping decisions … Open Voice Network, which is looking to expand the smart speaker world pioneered by Amazon, Apple and Google and make it available to the broader retailing ecosystem … and Riff Cold Brewed, which is run by an experienced beverage team with a unique view of how to make in an impact in a crowded space.  Listen to them explain their unique business propositions, and then come together in a conversation, moderated by Angela Jackson, to talk about common and divergent experiences.

Jennifer Johnson, Founder, Trestle

Jon Stine, Open Voice Network

Steve Barham, Co-Founder, Riff Cold Brewed

Debbie Kim, Chief Business Officer, Booster Fuels

Moderator: Angela Jackson, Managing Director, Portland Seed Fund

2:00-2:30 - Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council: Store of the Future

Presentation - Michael Sansolo, Research Director of the North America Councils, Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council, made up of a rotating group of some of the nation's most ambitious and innovative retailers, recently did a deep-dive into what the store of the future is likely to look like, with an eye toward charting a variety of paths forward for food retailers.  This presentation by Michael Sansolo, research director of the North America councils, outlines many ways traditional retailers could employ artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality and even robotics to enhance the shopper experience.  The goal:  serve as a catalyst for conversation, change, evolution and even a bit of revolution.

2:30 - 2:45 - Break

2:45 - 3:15 - Craig Dubitsky, CEO, Hello Products

3:15 - 4:00 - Omnichannel Panel & Discussion

This conversation will start with a pointed question:  Is the term "omnichannel" obsolete - or at least inadequate - for a time in which consumers have so many choices, and retailers of all stripes in all venues are having to make revolutionary changes in their business models in order to compete?  We will talk with executives from companies that have taken the big view of the consumer landscape and have reinvented themselves in order to be both relevant (appealing to the mind) and resonant (appealing to the heart) to their customers.  In this conversation, moderated by MorningNewsBeat "Content Guy" Kevin Coupe, we will examine not just issues of technology and infrastructure, but also the cultural adjustments that brands need to make in order compete effectively in both the short-term and long-term futures.

Jillian Wendt, Director Trade Marketing, adidas

Karyn Wright, Sr. Director, APP, Nike (Nike digital, North America)

Luis Vargas, CEO and Founder, Modern Adventure

Moderator: Kevin Coupe, Founder and Content Guy, MorningNewsBeat

4:00 - 5:00 - Shark Tank-style pitches; Sign up to pitch your idea!

Confirmed Judges:

Jamie Schmidt, Founder of Schmidt’s Naturals, and Co-Owner and Investor, Color

Greg Parsons, Senior Director, Home and Product Development, General Merchandise, Kroger

Lori Hunter, Local Finds and Special Events Manager, New Seasons

Juan Barraza, Director of Student Innovation, PSU Center for Entrepreneurship

Laura Fischer, Business Analysis Manager, Branded Solutions, Starbucks/ Nestle

Moderator: Trey Holder, Executive Director of Innovation, Retail Tomorrow

5:00 - 5:20 - Keynote Heidi Dohse, Sr. Program Manager, Google

5:20 - 5:45 - Innovation in Retail: Wrap Up

In this closing session, Tom Furphy, CEO/Managing Director of Consumer Equity Partners, and MorningNewsBeat's Kevin Coupe will engage in a lively conversation that will bring together the themes and ideas expressed during the day.  The result - attendees will be able to leave with actionable innovation-centric concepts that they will be able to apply to their businesses, and a new understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the world of Retail Tomorrow.

Tom Furphy, CEO/Managing Director, Consumer Equity Partners

Kevin Coupe, Content Guy, MorningNewsBeat

5:45 - 6:00 - Wrap Up / Pinot Noir toast sponsored by Columbia Distributing

Note: Future of Retail exhibits and/or community exhibitor options available. Sponsorships also available.