Delight Customers and Drive Innovation with AI

In today’s competitive market, a growing number of retailers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help transform their businesses.

Merchants worldwide are relying on the rapidly evolving capabilities of AI and machine learning to make better use of big data, which allows them to streamline their operations, manage their inventory and supply chain with greater efficiency, and create innovative new business models to help run their businesses more strategically.

With the insights AI provides, retailers are delivering the kind of personalized experiences and precision marketing that attract and retain customers, and building omnichannel environments to serve customers anytime and anywhere—in stores, online, and on the go.

Panelists:
• Dawn Dickson | Founder/CEO | Flat Out of Heels/PopCom
• Jeff Donaldson | Founder & CEO | Intriosity

Moderator:
• Christie Rice | Worldwide Digital Signage Segment Manager | Intel

Creating Synergy Between the Online and Offline World

For all the talk of omnichannel — with some people despising the word — we still have a long way to go. What customers do online (whether desktop or mobile) doesn’t always translate to the offline (in-store) world.

“Seamless” is the magic word to describe an experience where a customer can interact with a brand whenever, and wherever, they want and the brand can easily interact with the customer on its journey. What’s needed to create this synergy?

Panelists:
• Shannan Coghill | Global Experience Director | Michael Kors
• Ignaz Gorischek | VP of Architecture | CallisonRTKL
• Jennifer Moretti | Senior Manager, Marketing Research | Rent-A-Center

Moderator:
• Jonathan Rosen | SVP, Content, Strategy & Creative Services | | PRN, a STRATACACHE company

Meeting the Demand for Delivery and In-Store Pickup

With time-pressed schedules and the convenience it brings, home delivery is one of the hottest topics of the day. What started with Amazon has spread to all levels of the retail and restaurant industries.

In this session, we will discuss working with third-parties; handling order online, pickup in store and how to deliver great customer experiences when customers don’t go through a traditional buying experience.

Panelists:
• Amber Gadsby | Director of Digital Retail Experience | Domino’s Pizza
• Chris Petersen | Founder & CEO | Integrated Marketing Solutions
• Briton Smetzer | VP of IT Operations | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
• Tim Young | CEO | eatsa

Moderator:
• Elliot Maras | Editor | Kiosk Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Create the Future: Building an Innovation Lab

If you have an innovation lab, have thought about starting one or simply want to learn more, this session is for you. Labs can help make your innovation ideas a reality and can be started at a low cost. A primary benefit is to test and iterate new technologies in-house before rolling out system-wide.

In this session, we’ll talk about where to start, getting buy-in, how to be successful and lessons from industry professionals.

Panelists:
• David DiMeo | Co-Founder | Robo Retail
• David Kepron | VP, Global Design Strategies | Marriott International
• Tom Walsh | VP, Global Store Development | Under Armour

Interactive Technologies Disrupting the Store

Advancements in technologies available are both exciting and disruptive. In this session, we will talk about interactive and traditional digital signage and the role of technologies such as facial detection, BLE beacons, touch interactivity, analytics, AR/VR, mobile integration and more.

This will be a deep dive into the applications of the technology and the benefits for retailers to increase engagement and drive sales and experiences.

Panelists:

• Angela Gearhart | Vice President, Brand Experience | Sleep Number
• John Miller | Founder & CEO | CaliBurger
• Tori Peterson | Sr. Program Manager, Visuals & Experiences | Microsoft Stores

Moderator:

• Richard Ventura | VP, Business Development & Solutions | NEC Display Solutions of America

Top 10 Tips for Successful Pilot Projects

Before rolling out any large enterprise digital signage or kiosk deployment, it is vitally important to conduct a pilot test. We’ll address how to properly prepare and execute a pilot so that it produces measurable results with which you can make an educated decision whether to move forward with a full rollout.

Panelists:
• Charles Ogilvie | Head of Innovation | J. Walter Thompson

Moderator:
• Jeff Martin | President & CEO | Right Media Solutions

Tech-Enabled, Knowledgeable Associates Sell More Stuff!

Good employees are still at the heart of great customer experiences. In addition to training, what tools can we give our people to help them deliver on your brand promise? With the right person and the right technology, associates can help customers find the item they are looking for,learn more about the product, discover new products, obtain items even if they are out of stock, handle payment/checkout as well as returns. In the end, you have a satisfied, loyal customer.

Press Play: The Role of Audio in Store

Ba dum. Just two notes and we know it’s the theme from Jaws. Music and other forms of audio can have a significant impact on our experience. How should brands use audio in their venues to create the desired effect without driving employees batty? Done right, you can set the mood, convey important information and stimulate sales.

Panelists:
• Michelle Adams | Founder | Marketing Brainology
• Mitch Frazier | CEO | Reynolds Farm Equipment
• Chris Rivera | Co-Owner | Canton Car Wash

Moderator:
• Brent Oakley | CEO & Co-Founder | Vibenomics

Beating Amazon and Other Tech Giants at Their Own Game

What lessons can we learn from the e-commerce disruptors? Why are these disruptors opening brick-and-mortar stores?

E-commerce companies know their customers, know what customers are interested in, can bring the value of customer reviews, offer ease of ordering and an almost “endless aisle.”

Brick-and-mortar has the advantage of try before you buy, consultative selling, and ease of returns. Those who can leverage their stores effectively can develop a winning strategy.

Panelists:
• Jaime Bettencourt | SVP, Premier Sales & Account Management | Mood Media
• Becky Snider | GM, Mizuno Brand Experience Center | Mizuno USA
• Winston Wm. Wright | Brand Consultant

Moderator:
• Christopher Hall | Managing Director | ICX Association

When are Kiosks the Right Solution?

About 15 years ago, it seemed like kiosks were the technology solution for every challenge or opportunity. Fast forward several years and it appeared mobile was the universal solution. Now we realize that consumers won’t always download your app or use your kiosk.

This session will help identify when kiosks are the right solution and will look at case studies of kiosk success and lessons learned from trial and error.

Panelists:
• Paul Epperley | Director, Technology Portfolios | Sodexo
• Jason Raymer | Director of Sales | Bluegrass Cellular

Moderator:
• Jeff Pinc | Director of Sales | Panasonic USA

Hardware Focus: Touchscreens for Any Situation

You might be tempted to think you can walk into a local electronics store and pick up a couple of TVs or monitors for your project. Those with a little more experience will tell you that commercial grade screens are the only way to go.

This session will zero in on the hardware aspect of a technology rollout, in particular, the touchscreen. How do you determine which screen is the right one for the job? There are important considerations based on intended use, placement (indoor or outdoor), expected usage, etc. We’ll discuss situations in which to consider durability, brightness, readability, interaction (finger, gloved hand, pencil), determining the right size and type for your application as well as cost.

Panelists:
• Ron Bowers | SVP, Retail Technology Development | Frank Mayer & Associates
• Les O’Nan | Partner/President/CEO | Gaming Solutions Worldwide

Moderator:
• Robert Abou Jaoude | Sales Executive |  Betson Enterprises

Brand Experience: Thinking Differently About How to Engage with Customers

In this talk, Neal Berg will share a case study from AT&T on how the brand evolved from poor ratings by customers to a best-in-class experience by transforming the company and the way it expressed the brand.

One of the learnings was that great brand experiences don’t happen by accident; they are actively designed. With this new design thinking approach, starting with an experience mindset can lead to great results.

Speaker:
• Neal Berg | AVP UX Innovation & Brand Experience | AT&T

Moderator:
• Judy Mottl | Editor | Retail Customer Experience