Overview
Launched in 2010, Retail Connect features industry experts and thought leaders addressing challenges and innovations shaping the retail landscape. This annual fall forum also actively connects industry professionals with retail merchandising students and each other to network and discuss the ideas presented through pre-event networking activities and throughout the event. Retail Connect is free and open to the public and also provides scholarships to recognize leadership and foster inclusion in retail education thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Learn about sponsorship here.
Save The Date
RETAIL CONNECT 2024
Retail Product Design: From Concept to Consumer
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
5:45 PM Registration Opens, 6:00-8:00 PM Networking & Program
McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall
200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55455
The journey of a product from concept to retail is one with many twists, turns, and considerations. Please join us for an engaging discussion with our panelists who will take you through the path of product concept and design, to production, marketing, and then to launch. Our panelists will lend their expertise in both design and retail in an informational and inspiring way.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments, Q&A with the speakers, and ample time to network with industry pros and University of Minnesota students during this free, annual event.
Speakers
Sponsorship and Support
Sponsorship
These events are made possible with the support of dedicated volunteers and industry partners. Gifts of sponsorship allow the University to host this high-quality event that showcases new ideas and builds industry connections. The program fosters growth, networking, and diffusion of innovation amongst retail professionals and students - all while building awareness of the University’s Retail Merchandising Program and Center for Retail Design & Innovation. Most importantly, our Signature, Diamond, Platinum, and Gold level event sponsorships allow us to present student scholarships and awards. As a new initiative, launched in 2023, 50% of the funds raised after expenses will go to the College of Design's Design Justice fund to help advance anti-racist design approaches and design justice initiatives including courses, programs, scholarships, events, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in design education.
Support Retail and Consumer Studies
Contact Carrie Harberts, review the Retail Connect sponsorship letter and the event FAQs for more information, and/or make a gift online.
Retail Connect is presented annually by the University of Minnesota Retail and Consumer Studies Program and Advisory Board, Center for Retail Design and Innovation (CRDI), and College of Design Alumni Relations Office, with support from the College of Design Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel and our program sponsors.
2024 Retail Connect Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Past Events
2023
Retail Connect 2023 | The Power of Sustainable Retail: How We Make a Difference
Speakers
- Scot Case, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability, National Retail Federation
- Amanda Nusz, Senior VP of Corporate Responsibility, Target
- Carolina Alegria, US Head of Marketing, Vestiaire Collective
- Moderator — Barry Kudrowitz, Department Head and Professor of Product Design, University of Minnesota
This panel discussion explores innovative approaches to reducing negative environmental impact and promoting ethical practices in the retail industry. Discover how leading retailers are integrating eco-friendly initiatives into their businesses, implementing circular economy models, adopting sustainable packaging practices, and more, to meet the growing demand for socially responsible products.
Scot Case (National Retail Federation) also gave a brief presentation which is not included in this recording due to sound issues, however, he shared these blog posts, which address key content from his presentation.
2022
Retail Connect 2022 | Digital Culture + Metaverse + Today's Influencer
Speakers
- Anne Mezzenga, Co-CEO of Omni Talk, Retail Podcast Host
- Wim Stocks, Commercial & Partnerships Lead of Belong Gaming & Vindex
- Chris Walton, Co-CEO of Omni Talk, Retail Podcast Host
- Houston White, Influencer, Entrepreneur, Change Agent of Houston White
Redefining retail experiences, the metaverse represents a broad and sometimes speculative shift in how we interact with technology connecting brands and consumers in an immersive digital environment. Join us to learn more about retail in the metaverse and the impact of influencers in this evolving space.
2021
Retail Connect 2021 | Space Evolution: E-Commerce & In-Store Innovation
E-commerce Speakers
- Moderator — Gena Fox, Senior Vice President, Target
- Panelist — 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
2019
Retail Connect 2019 | THE CRYSTAL BALL OF RETAIL: Where Data + Science + Experience Collide
Speakers
- Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Advisor — Retail, 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, 3M Research & Development, Supply Chain Operations, Business Transformation & IT, 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, Deluxe; creator/host of Hulu and web-based series Small Business Revolution on Main Street
- Panelist — Dale Nitschke, Founder and CEO, Ovative Group
- Panelist — Ben VandenWymelenberg, Founder and CEO, Woodchuck
- Panelist — Wesley Uthus and Michele Henry, Co-Founders, 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
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
Speakers
- Robyn Waters, trendmaster and author
2012
Retail Connect 2012 | Who's Minding the Store?
Speakers
- Caitlin Kelly, author, 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, Digital River
- Moderator — Jena Brown, Territory Manager of University Relatinos, Kohl's
- Panelist — Don Wortley, Digital Marketing Group Manager, Best Buy
- Panelist — Peter Riley, Vice President, Regional Manager, Kohl’s
2010
Retail Connect 2010 | Succeeding in an 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
- Panelist — Roberta Bonoff, CEO & President, Creative Kidstuff
