Overview
About Retail Connect
Retail Connect is the University’s signature retailing conference. Launched in 2010, Retail Connect features industry experts and thought leaders addressing challenges and innovations shaping the retail landscape. The forum also actively connects industry professionals with retail merchandising students and each other, to network and discuss the ideas presented. This annual event is held each fall semester and it is free and open to the public thanks to the support of our sponsors.
Get Involved
Contact Peggy Lord, review the Retail Connect sponsorship letter for more information, and/or make a gift online.
Make a Gift Online
Past Retail Connect Events
2021
Retail Connect 2021 | Space Evolution: E-Commerce & In-Store Innovation
E-commerce Speakers
- Moderator—Gena Fox, SVP, Target
- Panelists—Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, Co-founders, Who What Wear
In-store Innovation Speakers
- Moderator—Nancy Carruth, EVP, Kohl’s
- Panelist—Deborah Yeh, Chief Marketing Officer, Sephora Americas
2020
Retail Connect 2020 | BE A CATALYST FOR CHANGE: Leadership Lessons to Navigate Retail in Transformative Times
Speakers & Panelists
- Allison Peterson, Chief Customer Officer, Best Buy
- Mark Irvin, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, Best Buy
- Greg Cunningham, Chief Diversity Officer, Senior Executive Vice President, US Bank
- Alissa Montbriand, CEO/Proprietor, Pacifier
2019
Retail Connect 2019 | THE CRYSTAL BALL OF RETAIL: Where Data + Science + Experience Collide
Speakers
- Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Advisor—Retail, The NPD Group
- Julie Guggemos, Senior Vice President, Owned Brand Product Design and Management, Target
- Cece Lee, Vice President of Revenue, Trendalytics
2018
Retail Connect 2018 | Innovation and Leadership in an Era of Disruption
Speakers
- H. C. (Hak Cheol) Shin, Vice Chair and Executive Vice President of 3M Research & Development, Supply Chain Operations, Business Transformation & I.T., Business Development & Marketing-Sales
2017
Retail Connect 2017 | Entrepreneurship: Risk and Growth in a Global Economy
Speakers
- Moderator—Amanda K. Brinkman, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Deluxe and creator/host of the Hulu and web-based series, Small Business Revolution – Main Street.
- Panelist Member—Dale Nitschke, the Founder/CEO of Ovative/group
- Panelist Member—Ben VandenWymelenberg, the Founder/CEO of Woodchuck
- Panelist Member—Wesley Uthus and Michele Henry, Co-founders of Primp Boutiques
2016
Retail Connect 2016 | Retail is Human Business
Speakers
- Shari Ballard, Senior Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Retail, Best Buy
2015
Retail Connect 2015 |The Purpose Driven Business: How to Leverage Guest Centric Strategy and Design to Deliver Deeper Meaning
Speakers
- Amanda Nusz, Vice President General Merchandise Manager, Baby Essentials/Hardgoods/Newborn and Kids Apparel
- Nadine Steklenski, Design Director, Apparel, both from Target Corp.
2014
Retail Connect 2014 | Staging Retail Experiences
Speakers
- B. Joseph Pine II, speaker, consultant and author
2013
Retail Connect 2013 | Piecing Together A New Retailing Paradigm
2012
Retail Connect 2012 | Who's Minding the Store?
Speakers
- Caitlin Kelly, author of Malled: My Unintentional Career in Retail
2011
Retail Connect 2011 | Going Mobile, Getting Social: Shopping with Today's Consumers
Speakers
- Keynote speaker—Jim Wehmann, senior vice president of global marketing at Digital River
- Moderator—Jena Brown, Kohl's
- Panelist—Don Wortley, manager of Best Buy's Digital Marketing Group
- Panelist—Peter Riley, vice president-regional manager of Kohl’s Department Stores
2010
Retail Connect 2010 | Succeeding in an u\Unpredictable Marketplace
Speakers
- Moderator—Joann Grabau, Buyer, Macy's North
- Panelist—Vickie Abrahamson, Co-founder, Panoramix Global
- Panelist—Mike Dervos, Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Stores, Macy's North Region
- Panelist—Roberta Bonoff, CEO & President, Creative Kidstuff
