Schedule
9:00 am: Registration- Spotlight Tables... see exciting new local products!
9:30 am: Network of Executive Women forum ($30) Networking event and key note speaker Jen Mueller Speak Sports. Talk Business. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a recent sports convert or just don’t get what all fuss is about, Jen Mueller will show you how to approach sports conversations as a business development tool that will advance your career.
11:30 am: Student-Industry Connection Luncheon (Free to attend)
Meet our Students! Find out what interests them about the industry and offer advice!
We will also honor our student of the year at this lunch! Don't miss it!
1:00-5:00 pm: Executive Forum afternoon agenda ($75.00 to attend sessions)
"Forces of Change in Food Retailing" Michael Sansolo Economic turmoil, demographic shifts and major changes in personal technology are all powerfully impacting consumer behavior and raising new concerns for the food industry. Join us for a fast-paced review of the challenges and opportunities created by this climate of change with thoughts for how companies need evolve to survive and thrive.
"How brick and mortar can thrive in a retail world exploding with digital shopping"
Retail Stores continue to feel extreme pressure to grow comp sales while Companies are forced to cut costs and reduce labor, limiting their ability to execute. Ironically, this is happening in the face of consumers who not only have higher expectations of in store customer service, but now have new options on where and when to shop outside of stores. These intersecting forces could ultimately lead to the need for new brick and mortar operating models that go well beyond the store as a distribution center for on-line purchasing. In this panel, we will discuss some of these forces at work and offer up ideas on how stores can not only survive, but flourish with the “new consumer” and the explosive growth of mobile shopping. This will include what retailers/stores can do today to leverage what they are inherently good at while preparing for retail technologies that could redefine the in store experience. Panelists include, Herb Sorensen, Jack Buller, Simpactful Consulting Executive and a retailing expert with over 35 years focused on store processes and execution, and Syd Hannigan. Discussion Moderated by Todd Ruberg
"Follow The Money"
The Washington Post recently reported that venture capitalists are finding lots of opportunity within the food business, believing that it is a business segment “ripe for disruption” at a wide variety of levels and and "one of America’s most promising growth industries." In this provocative panel discussion, we'll look at what the opportunities are, where the smart money is placing its bets, and what the impact could be on competition, the supply chain, technology, and consumers. Among the panelists: Tom Furphy of Consumer Equity Partners (and formerly of Amazon.com). Moderating the discussion: Kevin Coupe, MorningNewsBeat.com's "Content Guy," and a member of PSU's adjunct faculty.
"The James Beard Public Market: Oregon’s Market"
Portland’s reputation as an exceptional food town is thanks in large part to the culinary community’s ability to draw on the bounty of Oregon’s lands and waters. The state boasts countless farms, vineyards, breweries, farmers markets and restaurants, but one key element has been missing for decades: a flagship public market to showcase the best of Oregon in one location. That void is about to be filled by the James Beard Public Market, a daily, year-round, indoor-outdoor marketplace. The market, named in honor of the Oregon-born “dean of American cookery,” will be located at the west end of the Morrison Bridge in downtown Portland, and will feature more than 50 permanent vendors, 40 day tables, full-service restaurants, a teaching kitchen and event space.
5:00-8:00 pm: Reception and Dinner, With Keynote speaker Bob Miller, Executive Chairman, Albertsons/Safeway ( $249.00)
