A Dynamic Forum for Tackling Supply Chain Challenges

By [ Caroline Niery ]
01/15/2024

Dallas, TX – The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)’s annual conference for retail’s leading supply chain executives – LINK2024: The Retail Supply Chain Conference – will meet February 25-28, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. The event comes amid the emergence of fresh obstacles and evolving consumer demands that require modern supply chain leaders to navigate a host of complex challenges.

“Supply chain strategies that were standard practice five to ten years ago are obsolete. The foundation on which most retailers have built their supply chains is shifting, undeniably, because of economic tensions, evolving trading relationships, prolonged wars, climate change, and more. As retailers, we can’t ignore how these trends impact how we get goods to our customers,” said RILA President Brian Dodge. “Our objective with LINK2024 is to bring the entire retail supply chain ecosystem together under one roof for incomparable benchmarking opportunities, technology discovery, and best-in-class educational offerings that will equip and prepare retailers’ supply chains for resiliency and success in the long term.”

In addition to diving deep on how today’s geopolitical challenges impact retail, LINK2024 will address the most critical issues within the supply chain ecosystem, including automation; innovation; omnichannel and end-to-end supply chain; distribution, fulfillment, and last mile; sustainability and ESG; transportation and logistics; talent attraction and retention, and more.

“For retailers to maintain successful supply chain operations and compete in today’s environment, the ability to simultaneously navigate a host of complex challenges – ports slowdowns, labor shortages, major geopolitical challenges – is table stakes. And we’re covering it all at LINK2024,” said RILA Vice President for Supply Chain Jessica Dankert. “We’re building one of our best programs yet, bolstered by a truly all-star lineup of speakers, from data science pros to customs experts to sustainability champions – and yes, a Super Bowl champion, too. For retail supply chain leaders, LINK2024 is simply the place to be to stay on top of industry trends, build relationships with retail peers, and equip your team with the knowledge and solutions to meet the next demand with confidence.”

Featured speakers:

New England Patriots Head Coach and General Manager Bill Belichick
Former President of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haas
IKEA US Chief Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quinones
The Kroger Co. Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Gabriel Arreaga
Nordstrom Inc. Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer Alexis DePree
Abercrombie & Fitch, Co. Executive Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement Larry Grischow
Walmart Inc. Senior Vice President, End to End Delivery Jennifer McKeehan
Advance Auto Parts Executive Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer Steve Szilagyi
The Neiman Marcus Group Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer Amanda Martin
REI Chief Supply Chain Officer Sylvia Wilks
Gap Inc. Chief Supply Chain officer Sally Gilligan
The Container Store Chief Logistics Officer, Tom Clement
TJX Brands Chief Supply Chain Officer Raina Avalon
Hyer Founder and CEO Dave Dempsey
BNSF Railway President and Chief Executive Officer Katie Farmer

RILA’s trade and supply experts will also be on site for interviews. A full list of speakers and the conference agenda is available here.

Who: Over 2,000 leading retail supply chain experts, suppliers and solution providers, including over 50 heads of supply chain from leading retailers and brands.
What: LINK 2024: The Retail Supply Chain Conference
When: February 25-28, 2024
Where: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas, Texas

RSVP: All general sessions are on the record and open to press. Breakout sessions are “off the record” only. Reporters can attend breakout sessions for educational purposes and may follow up with speakers and attendees for on-the-record comments. Please email Caroline Niery at caroline.niery@Rila.org to obtain press credentials.

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.