Navigating the treacherous waters of today’s rapidly expanding global economy is no easy task. The challenges facing the retail industry are manifold and require creative and dynamic leadership to ensure success. Argyle Executive Forum, in association with the alumni clubs of HBS, Wharton, and Stanford, is pleased to invite you to our “Leadership in Retail” forum, an opportunity to visit with fellow senior executives in the retail industry and discuss the unique set of challenges facing leaders in the industry today.

We are proud to present you with an outstanding roster of speakers. The day begins with a keynote presentation by Richard W. Dreiling, the Chairman, President and CEO of Duane Reade Corporation, who will speak on the topic of implementing a turnaround plan and positioning a company for growth. Dreiling will be followed by a panel lead by Lee Greenspoon (VP Corporate Development, Novator) and featuring top executives from Novator, Mercador, Bazaarvoice, and Channel Intelligence. The panel, titled “Sell More in the Emerging Hyper-Channel Universe,” will explore the many possibilities that the emerging virtual markets offers to established retail chains. Brian Dunn, the President and COO of Best Buy Company will follow with keynote presentation that explores the importance of building great customer relationships.

After a coffee break and networking opportunity hosted by RPE, Arthur Zaczkiewicz (Senior Editor, Women’s Wear Daily), will lead off the late morning sessions with a panel titled “Opportunities and Challenges in the Retail Space,” featuring representatives from Jones Apparell Group, bebe stores, inc., and The Carlyle Group. They will be followed by a fireside chat in which David Jaffe, the President and CEO of dressbarn, inc., and Antony Karabus, the CEO of Karabus Management will engage in a high level discussion on the tactics that dressbarn has employed in its ongoing transitions.

Following a lunch hosted by UBS, George Jones, the President and CEO of Borders Group, Inc., and Jeffrey Trachtenberg, the News Editor of the Wall Street Journal, will kick off the afternoon with a fireside chat discussion on trends in retail leadership. Immediately following, Patrick J. Fodale (Managing Director, Laughlin Meghi + Company) will lead a panel entitled “Deal Making in Retail: A Discussion of Mergers and Acquisitions,” featuring speakers from Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, Goode Partners, Evercore Partners, and the former CEO of Toys “R” Us. Jim Hagale, the President and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, will round out the early afternoon sessions with a keynote presentation on the struggle for market shares.

The late afternoon session will begin with a keynote presentation by Kevin Monogue, the President of DKNY Jeans. John Schnatter, Founder and Executive Chairman of Papa John’s International, Inc. and Arthur Zaczkiewicz, the Senior Editor of Women’s Wear Daily, will close the day with a fireside chat that touches on the experience of building a retail chain from the ground up.

It is truly our pleasure to bring such a world-class group of experts together. We hope you can join us.

This event is by invitation only, and an invitation code is required. If you did not receive an invitation but would like to inquire about attendance, please click here

*The press policy for this event has not yet been finalized. Please note the press policy is set at the individual session level. Some sessions may be open to press, while other sessions may be closed. Please consult the event’s agenda, which will indicate which sessions are closed to the press.

Keynote Presentations By:

Peter Boneparth
Former President & CEO
Jones Apparel Group

Richard W. Dreiling
Chairman, President & CEO
Duane Reade, Inc.

Brian J. Dunn
President and COO
Best Buy Company

Jim Hagale
President/CEO
Bass Pro Shops

Sandra Horbach
Managing Director
The Carlyle Group

David Jaffe
President and CEO
dressbarn, inc.

George Jones
President & CEO
Borders Group, Inc.

Kevin Monogue
President
DKNY Jeans

John Schnatter
Founder and Executive Chairman
Papa John's International, Inc

Greg Scott
CEO
bebe stores, inc.

*Argyle Executive Forum's receptions are by invitation only. Argyle Executive Forum reserves the right to review and approve all attendees.