Jennifer Conrad

Senior Writer Inc. Magazine

Jennifer Conrad is a Brooklyn-based senior writer for Inc. She has written for Wired, Vogue, The Wire China, Time Out Beijing, and Newsweek.com. She has a master’s degree in China studies and economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and spent three years working as a writer and editor in Beijing.

Tuesday, February 24

9:35 AM Main Stage: Keynote Panel: Retail Resilience Unlocked: Lessons Learned from Navigating Tariffs, Market Volatility, and Industry Transformation

In a world rocked by tariffs, market upheaval, and lightning-fast industry shifts, retailers are confronting challenges unlike any before—threatening not just growth, but their very survival. Now more than ever, resilience is the game changer that separates those who thrive from those who falter.

During this keynote panel, visionary retail leaders reveal powerful lessons forged in adversity, unveiling bold strategies to adapt, manage risk, and unlock the resilience that fuels lasting success in today’s unpredictable landscape, including:

Implementing scenario planning and flexible strategies to proactively prepare for shifts in tariffs, market volatility, and global trade
Investing in digital platforms, integrated data, and AI to enhance agility, operational efficiency, and supply chain resilience
Rethinking cost structures, logistics networks, and supplier relationships to maintain profitability and adapt to disruptions
Strengthening customer relationships and brand loyalty through data-driven marketing, product innovation, and hyper-personalization

5:05 PM Track 5: Case Study: Design Meets Delivery: How Front-End UX and Back-End CX Leaders Unite to Elevate Retail Experiences

In today’s competitive retail landscape, the alignment of front-end user experience (UX) with back-end customer experience (CX) is crucial for creating seamless and satisfying shopper journeys. When UX designers and CX leaders collaborate, they connect the art of intuitive design with the science of operational efficiency, resulting in elevated retail experiences that delight customers at every touchpoint. Join this fireside chat with the CX and UX duo of Elin Floyd and Becah Artz as they describe how their partnership drives higher conversion rates, stronger loyalty, and a consistent brand presence across omnichannel environments by:

Unifying design and delivery teams to align front-end creativity with back-end precision, creating seamless, brand-consistent retail experiences
Bridging UX and CX insights to deliver connected digital journeys that elevate personalization, speed, and shopper satisfaction.
Integrating front-end design systems with back-end data intelligence to optimize omnichannel engagement and streamline operations.
Elevating total customer value by transforming handoffs between UX and CX functions into frictionless, insight-driven collaborations that boost loyalty and conversion

Wednesday, February 25

12:20 PM Main Stage: Keynote Panel: Living Out Loud: Answering the Call for Transparency and Authenticity in Retail

Today’s consumers demand more than products—they crave connections with brands that live out loud with bold transparency and genuine authenticity. In an era where trust is earned through openness and realness, retailers must step up and show their true colors to connect deeply with their audience.

During this keynote panel, fearless retail leaders share inspiring stories and actionable insights on answering the call for radical honesty—building trust, loyalty, and meaningful connections that stand out in a crowded marketplace through:

Embracing authenticity and simplicity for an entire product lifecycle
Expressing values throughout the customer journey to invite and build a community
Using meaningful messages to connect with value-driven customers
Assessing how to showcase your brand and value proposition, and which channels work best

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Jennifer.

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