Agenda
Day 01
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
- 9:00 AM
- 9:05 AM
- 9:45 AM
Dr. Russell J. Zwanka, director of the food marketing program and associate professor of food marketing, at Western Michigan University, and WMU student panelists Abbey Herrmann, Katelyn Wandel and Mary Raclawski will engage in an insightful and lively discussion on what GenNext wants and needs from the grocery sector, as well as what the younger generation of food marketers aim to accomplish in their up-and-coming careers. They will cover buying patterns, desires and the engagement needs of the fastest-growing generation in our stores.
- 10:25 AM
Nate Vollmer, a 2022 GenNext winner, is the director of human resources for the Minocqua, Wis.-based T.A. Solberg Co. Inc., which operates Trig's stores throughout central and northern Wisconsin. In this session he will review key elements to a successful workplace to improve retention and culture and discuss the associate experience that spans leadership, associate communication and associate welfare, among other aspects of the people part of the grocery business.
- 10:40 AM
- 11:20 AM
Progressive Grocer’s GenNext winner Reed Immer, director of sales and marketing for Chabaso Bakery and co-founder of CT Food Launch Pad, talks about the bigger picture in retail. He has driven significant growth at artisan bakery Chabaso will simultaneously launching a startup company that helps food entrepreneurs in Connecticut get their products on the shelf.
- 12:00 PM
Today’s customers expect their needs to be met whenever, wherever, however they want to shop. Delivering on those expectations puts a renewed focus on technology, a foundational element of the customer – and associate – experience. Hear from Retail Business Services’ Sid Konka and Juanita Londono about retail IT transformation trends and how Retail Business Services is evolving to help Ahold Delhaize USA brands win with their omnichannel customers – not only through systems and products – but innovative approaches and modern ways of working.
- 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
A luncheon and awards presentation featuring the 2022 honorees.
- 2:30 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 3:30 PM
Elizabeth Lafontaine, chief retail analyst at Retail Leader, provides a deep dive analysis to help leaders in the industry unlock the current state of the retail consumer while guiding them on how to prepare for the future. Retail consumers are facing more noise than ever in uncertain economic conditions, a dynamic retail market, and return to experiential spending. Making purchasing decisions that balance wants vs. needs has become even more challenging with increasing prices, lower supply and shifting consumer desires and routines in a post-pandemic world. Are we finally past the high point for pandemic spurred consumerism? How does the holistic retail industry need to re-engage with their target audience?
In this session, attendees will:
• Identify the key attitudinal changes of the retail consumer over the last year
• Pinpoint macro-economic factors most top of mind for today’s shoppers
• Learn about the balance of consumer demand for tangible products vs. intangible experiences
• Uncover innovations that may spur future industry growth.
- 3:45 PM
- 5:00 PM
* Agenda is subject to change.
Congratulations to all of our 2022 GenNext winners! The above agenda is brought to us in honor of your achievements.