Event Details
When:
November 2, 2017 5 PM - 9:30 PM EDT
Where:
Fashion Institute of Technology
Annual Consumer and Retail Conference
Believe it or not – now is a good time to invest in Consumer and Retail Companies
OVERVIEW:
The current record setting pace of store closings, has led many to think that retailers and consumer brands will be engulfed by the Amazon effect, as this behemoth gobbles up ecommerce market share and, with the acquisition of Whole Foods, is looking to enter and ultimately dominate the bricks and mortar channel in grocery, which is very under-penetrated in ecommerce in the US.
All is not lost however, for the savvy investor. Gross retail sales continue to grow, despite the media chant of Armageddon. The death of retail and consumerism is not supported by the data, its just that the rules of the game are changing, and changing faster than the millennial and Z generation can text on their ubiquitous mobile devices, soon to be augmented with Alexa and other AI devices.
Our speakers will share their insights on why the current disruption creates white space for astute investors who understand that the consumer is not dead, and new business concepts continue to sprout up and flourish.
The program will feature a groundbreaking keynote address “Painting the Digital Future of Retail and Consumer Goods Companies” by Chris Donnelly, Senior Managing Director in Accenture’s Retail Strategy Group. Chris will share with us how digital will be the key tool that these companies will use to transform themselves for the next decade and beyond.
This year's Fireside Chat will feature entrepreneur and business leader Aman Advani, one of the co-founders of Ministry of Supply, the innovative company that is redefining wear to work clothing for today's professional, Aman will share his journey building and leading the brand.
Rounding out the conference, we will have two panels of well known consumer/retail oriented Investment Bankers and Private Equity Investors who will discuss the challenges and opportunities they are encountering in their respective businesses.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Painting the Digital Future of Retail and Consumer Goods Companies
Chris Donnelly
Senior Managing Director, Accenture Strategy, Retail Lead, Accenture
Chris Donnelly has more than 23 years of retail experience with deep skills in the planning, design, and implementation of transformation projects with a particular focus on merchandising, benefits realization and shareholder value creation.
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Aman Advani
CEO, Ministry of Supply
Launched by MIT engineers, Ministry of Supply invents high performing, comfortable dress clothes for today’s professional.
Interviewed by Michael Appel, Founder, Appel Associates, LLC
Aman Advani is Co-Founder and CEO of Ministry of Supply, a clothing brand inventing a new category: Performance Professional dress clothes.The mission was to incorporate fundamental engineering and performance principles into dress clothing staples. Prior to co-founding the company in 2012, Advani spent 4 years in management and non-profit consulting with Deloitte and TechnoServe. He is a member of the Forbes under 30 list, and holds a BSIE form Georgia Tech and half an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management.
INVESTMENT BANKING PANEL:
Moderator, Josh Benn, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps Bio
William D. Busko, Managing Director, Consensus Bio
Alexander K. Chefetz, Managing Director, Cowen Bio
John Neuner, Managing Director, Harris Williams & Co. Bio
Matthew Tingler, Director, Baird LinkedIn
PRIVATE EQUITY PANEL:
Moderator, David Reynolds, Senior Director, Alvarez & Marsal LinkedIn
Jon Canarick, Managing Director, North Castle Partners Bio
Ron Frasch, Operating Partner, Castanea Partners Bio
Mark Grabowski, Partner, TPG Growth Bio
Annette Rodriguez, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus Bio
