“The War at Work” | Keynote Address
Wednesday, 8:15am-9:15am | AIA CES Approved: 1.00 LU
Grand Ballroom
 
How will retailers and other business leaders find success and win the war at work? By anticipating challenges and breaking free of obsolete mental models that limit success. Workforce strategist and management trend-spotter Seth Mattison will take attendees on a leadership journey, where freedom, trust and experimentation are embraced, and best practices are built toward competing and winning.
Presenter: Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer, FutureSight Labs
A Supplier-Only Workshop: “The Sales Revolution”
Wednesday, 9:30am-10:30am
Broadway/Carnegie
 
A power shift has occurred in the world of customers and clients today. No longer do institutions and authority figures hold the keys, but, rather, power is shared between customers and sales professionals. How will you respond?
 
Seth Mattison follows his morning keynote with a sales workshop tailored to non-retailers. All X/SPECS sponsors who are not presenting in the Solution Theatre series from 9:30-10:30 on Wednesday morning may attend this one-hour hands-on session led by Seth.
Presenter: Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer, FutureSight Labs
Store Design in the Age of “I” | General Session
Wednesday, 11:30am-12:15pm | AIA CES Approved: 1.00 LU
Grand Ballroom
 
Innovation, individualization and immersion are all shaping the future of retail — and becoming the main ingredients needed to attract and retain loyal shoppers. Retailers that can find a way to use these elements to tailor the store-level experience are sure to lead the pack going forward.

Innovator and authority on information-enabled retailing, Gary Hawkins will discuss how these customer engagement strategies will continue to redefine retailing, and enable brands to develop more personalized store-level experiences.
Presenter: Gary Hawkins, Founder and CEO of The Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART)
"Tech 2020: The Latest (and Coming) Technologies, Trends, Services and
Tools Every Retailer Needs to Know” | Keynote Address
Thursday, 8:15am-9:00am | AIA CES Approved: 1.00 LU
Grand Ballroom
 
2020 will bring new sets of technologies, services and tools – as well as a number of power trends – that may well change the way retailers do business. Business trends columnist and tech consultant Gene Marks outlines what’s new and what’s on tap for 2020 – and provides you with actionable tips to put what you learn into action.
Presenter: Gene Marks, columnist, author, founder of Marks Group PC
A Supplier-Only Workshop: “Sales and Marketing Techs That Will Increase Your Sales In 2020"
Thursday, 9:15am-10:15am
Broadway/Carnegie
 
Directly connecting with customers has never been more important; however, technology is changing the “rules of engagement.” Following his Thursday morning keynote, Gene Marks will unveil the latest and most powerful sales and marketing technologies and talk about how these innovations can help generate leads, sell and service customers, and build customer loyalty. Open to all X/SPECS sponsors who are not presenting in the Solution Theatre series from 9:15-10:15 on Thursday morning.
Presenter: Gene Marks, columnist, author, founder of Marks Group PC