Known as The Retail Supply Chain Conference, the 2020 Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) LINK show gathers leading retail players for an event that goes far beyond networking. The annual RILA/LINK conference will be held from Feb. 23-26, 2020, at the Gaylord Texan Resort, one of the premier conference centers in Dallas.
The conference boasts a global and domestic attendee presence consisting of exclusive RILA members, executive keynote speakers and supply chain professionals in search of the latest and greatest innovations, resources and partners. More than 1,800 attendees are expected so far.
Participants can anticipate more than 300 solutions providers, 155-plus leading retailers, dozens of breakout sessions and more keynote speakers than one can count on their hands. Among the speakers currently lined up include Levi Strauss & Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh as a keynote speaker and seminar leader, educator and business guru Dr. Dale Henry as a general session speaker.
Innovation, industry disruptors, retail up-and-comers, economic growth, environmental sustainability and competition are among the RILA focus areas and are part of the topics anticipated for the conference to address.
Hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe will showcase the latest innovation, retail and supply chain solutions and expertise at the show. Among the big names to look out for include: Descartes Systems USA, Amber Road, APL Logistics, Approved Freight Forwarders, Bastian Solutions, BluJay Solutions, CN, FedEx Corp., Georgia Ports Authority, Port Everglades, Port Tampa Bay, Port of Baltimore, Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and many more. DHL serves as the Title Sponsor for the 2020 conference, following suit from last year’s event in Kissimmee, Florida.
LINK 2019 put a spotlight on many of the issues retail and supply chain players are still learning to navigate to this very day. Of these issues, trade tariffs, customer relations and innovation remain high on the list of significant disruptors showing no signs of going away. The retail ecosystem is continuously evolving without warning. The customers of yesterday are greeted with new and competitive offerings to gain their loyalty and without the knowledge of experts and peers, it seems nearly impossible to keep up.
Jennifer Safavian, RILA executive vice president of Government Affairs, issued a firm statement in a recent press release from the association, commenting on the current situation in the trade war and how it continues impacting industry players and customers by taking actions one step further. The following announcement is being attributed for ultimately delaying the imposition of President Trump’s proposed tariffs for another month:
“The damaged caused by the trade war is escalating. Economic indicators continue to signal a slow-down in growth. Investors are skittish, markets are volatile and uncertainty over tariffs is stalling business investments and job creation. Consumer confidence is the one pillar of strength in the U.S. economy, and the president’s tariff strategy is threatening that as higher prices will be imposed on consumer goods with increased tariffs.”
As the retail sector changes, RILA and its 200+ members of retailers, manufacturers and suppliers are ready and prepared for the next step in ensuring success and establishing a competitive edge. Furthermore, the executive team at RILA is ready to stand up on behalf of global retailers. If your company is involved in supply chain logistics or retail in any way, RILA’s 2020 LINK Conference is a no-brainer. Registration is now open, secure your spot today!