Speakers

Jim Donald

"You can never be bigger than the front line," was the advice Sam Walton, CEO of Wal-Mart shared with Jim Donald when he handpicked Donald to help lead the expansion of Wal-Mart and the development of its Super Center concept.

With over four decades of experience, Donald knows the ins and outs of retail and foodservice operations well. He began his career as a trainee with Publix Super Markets, Inc.; progressed at Albertson’s to become head of operations in Phoenix, Arizona; and has since served as President of Safeway; Chairman, President and CEO of Pathmark; CEO of Starbucks; and CEO of Haggen Food & Pharmacy.

Donald rose through the ranks in part by being accessible to people who run the gamut of a corporation, from Starbucks Chairman Howard Shultz, to front -line clerks at the more than 130 Safeway stores Donald managed. Through these varied leadership roles, Donald focused on innovation, quality, service, social responsibility and most importantly, strong relationships. From his years spent watching, listening, learning, leading, Donald offers witty and wise lessons from retail—lessons they just don’t teach in business school. In this session, Jim Donald distills the wisdom he’s gained from working for some of the most successful companies in the world to highlight the critical importance - and impact - of creating powerful connections with employees and customers.

Bryan Silbermann

In today's increasingly complex supply chain, we are experiencing a fundamental shift in the way our world works, our industry operates, and our customers think. As we become more connected, as suppliers and competitors are more global, and communications more viral, new trends and innovations erupt around us. Customer preferences change as quickly as they are captured. And while these changes give rise to challenges, they also yield tremendous opportunities.

To keep up requires continuous engagement and new sources of insight so you can be prepared to seize opportunity. In this session, you will hear from PMA President & CEO, Bryan Silbermann, and other leaders throughout our global community, as they anticipate and evaluate trends and innovations, while discussing the implications for our industry and your company's growth. This session will provide the information and insight to help your company stand out in a complex world.

Terry Jones

It's a new world out there ... A world where 'the office' is anywhere and communication is constant; where the pace of change is staggering, the 'wired generation' is entering the work force, and shoppers have limitless options. As Charles Darwin observed, "those most adaptive to change will survive.'" Terry Jones, Web pioneer, founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com, Chairman of Kayak.com and CIO of Sabre, Inc. has a proven track record of leading companies whose innovations revolutionized the travel industry.

Jones helps companies keep up with this rapidly changing world. By giving audiences first-hand knowledge on how to build loyalty for a brand, thrive in changing markets, and use technology for competitive advantage, Jones illustrates proven techniques for building lasting relationships with customers. Always mind-expanding, Jones also challenges participants to think differently about leadership, with actionable strategies on how to adapt and apply the principles of good leadership in today's technology-driven, wired world.

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