Macy's, Bare Necessities, Michaels, El Corte Inglés to Lead Summit Workshops

Nov. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Senior retail executives are crafting a dynamic workshop agenda for RetailConnections Business Executive Summit Feb. 26-28, 2012 in Miami.

Business topics covered in these lively, unscripted group discussions are handpicked by the retailers facilitating the dialogue. “No two Summits are alike in this regard because we feature different workshop leaders who tackle topics they are most passionate about,” said Marc Millstein, president of RetailConnections. “The workshops are a popular component of the program because they are always fresh, always relevant.”

Summit workshop leaders include:
•   Tom DeCaro, EVP, Supply Chain, Michaels Stores: “Supply Chain Innovation: Top Strategies for Enhancing Profits”
•   Francisca Vicente, IT & Services, El Corte Inglés: “Technology Innovations & Cross-Functional Collaboration”
•   Pam Sweeney, SVP, Logistics Systems and Technology, Macy’s: “New Opportunities in RFID”
•   Jay Dunn, CMO, Bare Necessities: “Building the Brand with Facebook Ads & PR”
•   Bernie Brennan and Lori Schafer, co-authors, Branded! “Mobile, Social: Leading the Pack in Connecting with Customers”

In the weeks ahead, RetailConnections will add more workshops covering electronic commerce, customer engagement and mobile for a total of eight workshop discussions conducted on the Summit’s opening day, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at Turnberry Isle Hotel & Resort in Miami. In addition to workshop leaders, general session presenters include:

Brian Tilzer, VP, E-Commerce, Staples: “Leveraging E-Comm to Drive Multichannel Growth”
Dennis Hernreich, EVP, CFO, COO, Casual Male Retail Group: “The Ultimate Customer Experience”
Michelle Garvey, Global CIO, Warnaco: “Technology Innovations Panel”
Sunil Verma, SVP, CIO, The Children’s Place: “Technology Innovations Panel”
Tiffany Tocco, Divisional VP, Marketing, Bon Ton Stores: “Customer Analytics That Bridge Cross-Functional Gaps”
Katherine Bahamonde, VP, E-Commerce, Juicy Couture: “Cross Channel Collaboration: Defeat ‘Us Vs. Them’”
Ken Nisch, Chairman, JGA: “Store Design Excellence Panel”
Paul Calderon, SVP, Store Environment & Development, Kohl's: “Store Design Excellence Panel”
Christine Sturch, Midwest Interior Design & Branding Coordinator, Whole Foods Market: “Store Design Excellence Panel”
Dave Remer, CEO and Creative Director, Remer Inc.: “The Branded Retailer”

Now in its fifth year, the RetailConnections Business Executive Summit convenes an eclectic mix of senior retail professionals from across the executive suite. “We strongly believe that bringing together a diverse variety of executive titles — from merchandising and marketing to IT, finance, supply chain, e-comm, business development, store operations and more — generates some of the most provocative insights and unparalleled networking among peers,” Millstein said. “The upcoming Summit has attracted more retail companies than years past,” he added, “and more than half of registered retail executives are first-time attendees.”

2012 Summit attendees include VPs and CXOs from Coach, Nike, Lucky Brands, Staples, The Children’s Place, Juicy Couture, Escada, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Belk, Nordstrom, Kate Spade, Wakefern Food Corp., Danier Leather, Army & Air Force Exchange, Cavender’s Boot City, Casual Male Retail Group, Whole Foods Markets, Kohl’s, Warnaco, Roche Brothers Supermarkets, New Balance, Bon Ton Stores, Perry Ellis International, Rooms to Go, Helzberg Diamonds, El Corte Inglés, Macy’s, Jarden, Elie Tahari, Jimmy Jazz, Hess Oil, Michaels Stores, Hawes & Curtis (U.K.) Burlington Coat Factory, Cost Plus World Market.

Registration is now open to senior-level (VP and CXO) retail executives at www.retailconnections.com.  For information, contact Denise Power, (773) 573-3939 denise@retailconnections.com, or Marc Millstein, (914) 620-5947 marc@retailconnections.com  

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tia Potter, (917) 846-5185 tia@retailconnections.com or LuAnn Hallberg, (814) 516-4965 luann@retailconnections.com.

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RETAILCONNECTIONS serves senior retail executives by hosting events that provide exceptional learning and networking. We believe the value of establishing new business relationships in person far outweighs other forms of communication.