Enjoy breakfast while connecting with old friends and colleagues. Be sure to stop by the WoW Activation booth to capture a group photo – Join the excitement, snap a pic, and make sure the fun is forever cherished!

Marketing | Building Community | Breakthrough Campaigns

Discover how today’s strongest retail marketing campaigns are being built on contemporary storytelling that sparks conversations. Learn to amplify your brand by engaging directly with your customer community, ensuring your message doesn’t just reach, but truly resonates. Dive into the essentials that make modern marketing click in an ever-evolving landscape.

Data & Analytics | Personalization | Privacy

Get to know your customers like never before using data-driven insights while also keeping privacy considerations front and center. Learn how combining various data streams — such as lifestyle preferences and favorite shopping destinations — can help you to truly tap into your customers’ desires. Environics Analytics’ Jan Kestle will explain her views on a collaborative approach to data, emphasizing the notion of ‘data for good.’ Explore practical and ethical ways to leverage data to build brands and boost sales.

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Want to use AI in your marketing without losing your brand’s special spark?  Explore how to keep your brand’s unique voice alive with AI-powered content. Learn the techniques to ensure your content resonates with your audience and still feels unmistakably ‘you.’ Get ready for a session filled with inspiration and practical insights!

Loyalty | Consumer Insights | Global Retail

In today’s interconnected and hypercompetitive global marketplace, customer loyalty has become a paramount focus for businesses across industries. Jemima Miller, Global Head of CRM with The Body Shop shares observations garnered from customer loyalty trends in international markets. Discover practical insights and original strategies that create opportunities to gain a competitive edge and unlock the key to long-term customer loyalty in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Omnichannel l Customer Experience l Unified Commerce

In an era where unified commerce is not just a trend but an expectation, marketers face the ongoing challenge of seamlessly blending online and in-person experiences. This lively panel discussion analyses into the strategies of today’s leading brands as they craft unforgettable, unified customer experiences. Get a firsthand look at how to conquer operational obstacles, integrate true omnichannel approaches, and utilize the cutting-edge technologies that are making the mark. Explore the next level of customer engagement and how to make it real for your brand.

Advertising | Privacy | Digital Strategy

Chart a bold course through the Canadian retail digital advertising terrain with perspectives from Sonia Carreno, President of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB). Uncover the vital trends in digital media, advertising tracking, and privacy regulations, and how they can all be woven into a comprehensive digital advertising strategy. Walk away with actionable knowledge to bolster your advertising strategies, accomplish your objectives, and stay relevant amid the fast-paced digital evolution.

Enjoy networking and refreshments with fellow attendees.

Explore the art of balancing print advertising with digital merchandising content strategies to highlight your best local savings and deals. Join Matthew Cheung, Managing Director of Solutions, and Adam Halim, SVP of Product & Marketing with Flipp, as they explore the methods used by Canada’s top retailers. Learn how these trailblazers have adapted their print strategies, introduced digital-first experiences, and achieved remarkable results.

Many brands today are missing out on harnessing the power of omnichannel media attribution to optimize ad spend. MIQ Digital profiles leading Canadian retailer Mejuri, sharing how they grew sales within just 4 weeks by seamlessly integrating branding and performance strategies through omnichannel media attribution. This session highlights a real-world success story, shedding light on proven tactics to enhance critical peak season campaigns. Discover how to optimize your ad spend, reshape your advertising strategies, and maximize results.

Connect with your fellow attendees and chat with speakers over lunch or attend the lunch and learn session. Be sure to visit the WoW Activation booth to capture a group photo.

Lunch and Learn

Print and Digital have often been presented against one another, but research shows that Canadians prefer to combine both in their pre-shopping experience. This session will explore the relationship between print and digital flyers and present the product innovations that will shape the future of the retail flyer.

Learn about the practical applications of A.I. as they apply to the most critical aspects of a brick-and-mortar retail operation, from efficient space allocation and inventory management to localized merchandising and increased personalization. We will also discuss the future possibilities and challenges of leveraging A.I. in retail, and what retailers can do today to prepare for the fast-approaching A.I. revolution. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable, actionable insights for your retail business.

In today’s hyper-competitive marketing landscape, nurturing customer loyalty is of utmost importance. Join Dan Howe, Chief Marketing Officer of Pattison Food Group, and Larissa Wasyliw, VP Ecommerce & Marketing at Ren’s Pets, in conversation with retail marketing expert Tara Conway. Discover how they are cultivating loyalty through customer-centric marketing strategies that enhance brand loyalty by placing a strong emphasis on the customer experience across all touch points. After this session, you’ll be invigorated with fresh insights on contemporary brand loyalty and inspired ideas on how to prioritize customer-centric approaches in your own marketing endeavors.

Enjoy networking and refreshments with fellow attendees.

Innovation | Leadership | Marketing

Want to ignite creativity within your team? Join Johnny Russo, author of ‘Mastering Mindful Leadership’, and Chris Parsons, Home Hardware’s Senior Director Omni-Channel Marketing & Strategic Insights and former host of the ‘Delivering eCommerce Podcast’, as they introduce novel and forward-thinking leadership techniques. Tailored for Canadian retail marketing teams, they’ll explore how to build an inspired workforce ready for the future.

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

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.

Consumer Insights | Social Media | eCommerce

Social shopping is not just a buzzword, it’s a vital part of modern eCommerce. Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle, and Jessica Lee, VP Influencer Marketing at Edelman Canada share the consumer insights that are shaping social buying and reveal where untapped opportunities reside in social media. By weaving together social media learnings and consumer behavior, you can craft strategies that resonate with shoppers and transform your online sales. Don’t miss this chance to better understand social shopping and how to leverage it for your retail success.

AI | Marketing Strategy | Retail Technology

AI is a transformative force in retail, affecting everything from marketing strategies to legal considerations. This session will navigate the dynamic landscape of AI, touching on customization, predictive analytics, content ownership, and even organizational values. An expert panel from diverse fields like marketing, legal, technology providers, and agencies will explore the readily available AI tools, future experimental trends, the development of AI principles, and the balance between innovation and ethical boundaries. Learn valuable perspectives into the short-term gains and long-term visions for AI in retail.

Stay for the networking cocktail reception to debrief the day with your fellow attendees and speakers. Be sure to make some new connections and capture this amazing moment with a group photo at the WoW Activation booth.