Bayshore Grand Foyer

Come early to enjoy the food, connect with old friends and colleagues and make new connections. Be sure to explore the diverse group of exhibitors offering state-of-the-art solutions.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Michael LeBlanc Senior Retail Advisor at Retail Council of Canada welcomes attendees to Retail West Conference 2023 and shares an update on how we are supporting members. Retail West will be hosted by Michael LeBlanc, host and producer of North America’s leading retail podcast, The Voice of Retail Podcast.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Kit & Ace is shaking things up with an exciting vision for one of Canada’s most iconic and talked about retail brands. Under the experienced retail leadership of David Lui (ESPRIT, The North West Company, SportCheck and KORITE) as the CEO, and the creative genius Joe Mimran, known for Club Monaco, Joe Fresh among many other, they’re gearing up for a game-changing move. David Lui talks about how Kit & Ace can win in a crowded apparel market, and advice on the strategies that matter for retailers of all sizes today, tomorrow and beyond.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Discover how MEC’s unwavering commitment to People, Purpose, and Planet has shaped their journey from cooperative to private company, leading to remarkable success and a lasting impact on the outdoor community. With captivating stories and invaluable insights, Adam Ketcheson, Chief Commercial Officer, shares how MEC navigated the rugged terrain of transformation, while embracing the Western Canadian spirit of the mountains and showing resilience and triumph. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools to carve your own path to success while leaving a positive impact on the world we adventure in.

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

With increasing consumer expectations and new digital channels, competitive retailers thrive on having high quality, reliable data for reporting and predictive model accuracy. In this session see how retailers are leveraging the MicroStrategy analytics solution to access real-time data and cross-functional adoption of critical dashboards that are essential to measuring KPIs.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Frank Monteleone, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at Rexall Pharmacy Group will discuss the journey that Rexall took to incorporate DEI principles into the company’s DNA, and why this purpose-driven culture is changing retail employment.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Join Stephen Van Xavier, Manager of Consumer Insights and Analytics for London Drugs and Kevin Lacey, Senior Vice-President of Consulting Services at Environics Analytics, as they discuss how retailers in Western Canada can leverage multicultural insights—grounded in geography—to inform local activation that will maximize trips, volume and market share.

Bayshore Grand Foyer

Enjoy networking and refreshments in the exhibit hall with fellow attendees and connect with exhibitors to learn more about how they are supporting the industry.

Salon A

AI is revolutionizing marketing, ushering in enhanced personalization and streamlined processes. Yet, its power comes with concerns, leading some brands to set boundaries or even sidestep its use. In this session, discover how to masterfully tap into AI’s strengths while safeguarding your brand’s essence. Learn to wield AI for marketing triumph, always keeping your brand’s integrity front and center.

Salon B

This session explores how cultivating the right relationships and building a strong network can be the cornerstone of your business’s growth. Patrice Mousseau, CEO and Founder Satya Organic Skin Care and Joy Mauro, CEO, Turnabout share inspiring success stories of how they harnessed the support of their community to facilitate growth and what the signals were that change was needed to enable continued growth. Uncover the profound impact of collaboration, trust, and collective wisdom on your business’ growth strategy no matter the size and scale.

Bayshore Grand Foyer

Connect with your fellow attendees and chat with speakers over lunch in the exhibit hall or attend the lunch and learn session in the ballroom.

Salon A

Every retailer must consider the influences of new horizons like AI, retail media, ESG, and integrated omnichannel experiences. But what’s critical to retail marketing success are the over-arching principals you use to take maximum advantage of these game-changing events. Prepare to reshape your strategic framework to managing your brand and developing successful marketing campaigns!

Salon B

In an era of increasing environmental awareness and sustainability imperatives, retailers are at the forefront of change. This session will bring together innovative retail and industry leaders to share insights on how circularity can enhance profitability, reduce waste, and meet the evolving demands of conscious consumers.

Bayshore Grand Foyer

Enjoy networking and refreshments in the exhibit hall with fellow attendees and connect with exhibitors to learn more about how they are supporting the industry.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

At a time of increasing uncertainty and change across the retail industry, the Ebeltoft Group conducted a global leadership study on behalf of the World Retail Congress. Join Lisa Hutcheson, Managing Partner, at J.C. Williams Group, the exclusive Canadian partner of the Ebeltoft Group, to explore the findings and insights. The Global Retail Executive Study serves as a compass for navigating this dynamic industry. It provides valuable insights, trends and analysis based on the perspectives of retail executives from around the world.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

In a sea of economic pressures and shifting market dynamics, insightful retailers are discovering pathways to growth and resilience. This session unveils practical strategies and insights that empower retailers to navigate disruptions, optimize efficiency, and uncover hidden growth potentials. Join us to enlighten your strategic response and transform challenges into stepping stones for sustained success.

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Generative AI is a gateway to unparalleled efficiencies, innovative customer interactions, and accelerated innovations. But the starting point can seem elusive. In this presentation, Marc Low, Ignition Vancouver Lead at KPMG demystifies the initial steps, explore the transformative opportunities, address potential pitfalls, and introduce practical strategies to keep you ahead in the competitive landscape.

Bayshore Grand Ballroom

Step into a world where marketing conventions are challenged and reimagined! The retail environment is pulsating with new strategies, pushing boundaries to capture consumer attention and distinguish brands from the pack. It’s time to look beyond the ordinary with guidance from experts who are reshaping the retail marketing paradigm and winning.

Bayshore Grand Foyer

Stay for networking cocktail reception to debrief the day with your fellow attendees and speakers. Be sure to make some new connections and discover new business solutions provided by our exhibitors.