As we approach the end of 2016, some in the digital world are already looking past Christmas to the really big annual event: the International Consumer Electronics Show, held every year in early January in Las Vegas. If CES is the digital mecca for new and cutting-edge consumer technologies, the same could be said of the National Retail Federation’s annual flagship event for retail professionals — Retail’s BIG Show in New York City.
Credit: National Retail Federation
With 33,000 retail companies attending and more than 300 speakers, the 2017 Retail’s BIG Show, which takes place from January 15 to 17, is a “can’t miss” event for retailers. This year’s expo boasts several high-profile keynote sessions, bringing together some of retail’s best known visionaries and personalities. The featured keynote will be given by Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel, who will share his expertise about how big data and connected technology can help retail businesses transform their operations and engage customers. His talk will be followed by the CEOs of two retail giants — Macy’s and Walmart — will meet onstage and discuss strategies and stratagems for attracting and retaining retail talent. Sir Richard Branson, who successfully built a series of disruptive businesses in multiple sectors and has long been considered a top branding expert, will also speak at Retail’s BIG Show, focusing on how retailers can capture the heart and soul of today’s consumers.
As shoppers increasingly show a preference for socially-responsible businesses, Retail’s BIG Show 2017 is dedicating a keynote session to exploring how retailers can bring values and causes into their customer outreach.
Credit: tristanpollock.com
Tristan Pollock, venture partner of 500 startups; Christopher Gavigan, founder of The Honest Company; and Lars Petersson, President of IKEA USA, will be sharing how brand authenticity has helped them drive product innovation and ultimately improve their bottom line.
A nationally recognized event of this scale wouldn’t be complete without a celebrity presence. To energize attendees, the National Retail Federation picked none other than Captain Scott Kelly. The history-making U.S. astronaut and Expedition 46 Commander will look back on his journey in space and discuss the determination and leadership that helped him make it happen.
Other retail influencers speaking at the event include Carrie Ask, president of global retail at Levi Strauss & Co.; Michael E. McNamara, EVP and chief information officer at Target; Erwin Hinteregger, CMO of Aldo Group; and Meg Lustman, CEO of Hobbs.
Register here: http://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/register