As organizations continue to invest heavily in AI, the challenge now lies in effectively integrating these technologies across the business to drive tangible results. Streamlining AI use cases requires overcoming common hurdles such as lengthy deployment cycles, fragmented workflows, and inefficient tools. This keynote panel will explore practical strategies for optimizing AI implementation, focusing on how to accelerate deployment, enhance collaboration, and ensure that AI solutions align with core business objectives to maximize impact and efficiency. Expect to hear how our panelists are: 

• Identifying key areas where AI can drive efficiency and enhance decision-making across your operations
• Ensuring seamless integration by aligning AI tools with existing systems and workflows
• Focusing on automating repetitive tasks to free up resources for more strategic initiatives
• Continuously evaluating AI performance and adapting to evolving technologies for ongoing optimization

Fostering an innovation mindset is critical to accelerating technology implementation and maintaining competitive agility. This panel will explore strategies for embedding adaptability and creativity into organizational culture, from leveraging agile methodologies to break down implementation barriers to fostering cross-department collaboration and open innovation. Attendees will gain insights into balancing iterative development with strategic governance, using automation to streamline processes, and empowering teams to embrace risk-taking and continuous learning—ensuring faster, more impactful tech adoption. Panelists to discuss:

• Navigating tech project management and optimizing timelines
• Identifying common execution challenges and causes of delays
• Evaluating tech vendors to streamline workloads and prioritize progress
• Assessing opportunities for outsourcing to complement internal teams

The tech landscape in eCommerce today is overwhelming. There are so many vendors making so many promises, but how do you evaluate what products are right for your business and your customers. Join this panel to hear about how a group of retail executives are picking the right vendor partners for their business. Expect to hear how panelists:

• Aligning vendor selection with clear business goals and tech requirements, focusing on scalability, integration capabilities, and cultural fit to ensure long-term partnership success.
• Conducting thorough evaluations through market research, RFPs, and reference checks, emphasizing product quality, pricing transparency, support responsiveness, and proven industry experience.
• Prioritizing vendors with strong API integrations and cloud-native technologies that seamlessly complement your existing eCommerce tech stack and support agile collaboration.
• Building transparent, collaborative relationships with vendors, ensuring flexible contracts and ongoing communication to adapt to evolving business needs and drive sustained growth.

Tiktok Shop has completely changed the social commerce game. It is the perfect place to be in touch with you consumers from discovery to point of sale and has wide ranging opportunities for retailers. Join Cat and Hay from Mary Ruth’s as they walk us through how they’ve set up their TikTok shop.

• Optimizing product listings with clear titles, detailed descriptions, and high-quality visuals
• Creating authentic, trend-driven videos to showcase products and drive engagement
• Partnering with influencers to expand reach and build trust with audiences
• Using TikTok tools like live shopping and shoppable ads to boost conversions