August Program Meeting
"The Changing Face of Retail" 

Date: Thursday, August 16, 2018
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Location: University Club of Milwaukee 

Agenda:
11:30 a.m. - Noon | Registration & Networking
Noon - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch & Panel Discussion

TEMPO Milwaukee Members | No Cost
Guests | $35

Please contact Kelsiee Arreguin to register: [email protected]

Program Description: 
The world of retail is ever-changing as it adapts to the constant evolution of consumer trends. Join us for a panel discussion with three retail experts who live, breathe and study the past, present and future of retail environments. Attendees will hear from Samantha Gravina, General Manager at IKEA, Margaret Harris, Co-Founder of Sendik's and David Livingston of DJL Research, moderated by Corri Hess of BizTimes on staying ahead of trends, dynamics of being family owned versus corporate, the rise and fall of big brick and mortar stores and the effects of a tightening labor market. The panelists will leave attendees with a look into the future of retail, anticipating and predicting what's to come for this ever-changing industry. 

About Samantha Gravina:
Samantha Gravina joined IKEA in 2000 at Chicago-area IKEA Schaumburg as a part-time furniture sales co-worker while pursuing her MBA and working full time at a non-for-profit organization in marketing. She soon moved into the IKEA leadership team full-time at both IKEA Schaumburg and IKEA Bolingbrook in similar positions. Five years later, she became the local marketing specialist handling responsibilities for both stores. She shifted focus from marketing to sales in 2008 by serving as deputy sales manager at IKEA Schaumburg until being promoted to sales manager two years later. In 2016, Gravina was named deputy store manager of IKEA Bolingbrook and, in 2017, became acting store manager, where she served until being appointed store manager of the IKEA Oak Creek. She enjoys the work life balance IKEA offers and spends a lot of time with her husband and two children. 

About Margaret Harris: 
Margaret Harris co-owns Milwaukee-based Sendiks Food Markets with her three brothers: Ted, Patrick, and Nick. They carry on the long-standing tradition of providing their guests only the best grocery shopping experience, period. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Margaret is passionate about giving back to the community. She administers Sendik's Giving and has served on a number of charitable boards. Margaret's many responsibilities include the Sendik's Home Department (floral & gifts), creative direction, product development, branding and store design. 

About David Livingston: 
David began his career in supermarket site analysis and competitive intelligence more than 36 years ago at Scrivner in Oklahoma City. His previous supermarket experience began in 1972 at age 13, working at an IGA supermarket in Indiana. In 1982, David began working as a market analyst at Scrivner where he learned skills in computer gravity modeling, demographic analysis, and competitive intelligence. In 1986,  David moved to Wisconsin to be the Market Research Manager at Roundy's. He held this position for over 16 years, performing all the market studies for Roundy's corporate stores and independent customers in the mid-west. After Roundy’s was sold in 2002, David became self- employed and was able to continue servicing several Roundy’s retailers in addition to adding several new clients, including investors, real estate investment trusts, shopping center developers, grocery wholesalers and other consulting firms.

Program Sponsor: