B2B Connect 2024
June 10 - 12, 2024
Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA
Day One MONDAY JUNE 10, 2024
DELIVERING A MORE MODERN B2B BUYING EXPERIENCE
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Be A Social ‘Putterfly’ - PRE-CONFERENCE GOLF GAME
Kick off B2B Connect on the greens with fellow attendees. Perfect your swing on the driving range, too! This session is open to marketing executives only. Limited space available.
SPONSORED BY SPRYKER
11:00 am - 11:50 am
WELCOME LUNCH & CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FOR ALL ATTENDEES
11:40 am - 11:50 am
SOLUTION PROVIDER ORIENTATION
11:50 am - 12:05 pm
WELCOME REMARKS & ICEBREAKER
Randi Greenberg, B2B Connect, Program Director
12:05 pm - 12:15 pm
CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS
12:15 pm - 12:35 pm
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Preparing for the Art of the Long View by Combining the Now, New and Next
Ed Soohoo -
WW Chief Technology Officer & Transformation Executive,
Lenovo
In the ever-evolving landscape of B2B, effective and agile leadership demands the ability to be a master juggler of an egg, hatchet and bowling ball - which is to navigate through complexities, foresee trends, and make strategic connections. In this talk Ed Soohoo, WW Chief Technology Officer & Transformation Executive, helps connect the dots of technology, leadership and creating a truly transformational digital-forward organization.
- Navigating the class five rapids of challenges and opportunities in the realm of AI
- Driving the twisted roads of innovation and transformation (smoothly) throughout your organization
- Staying ahead of multi-generational of fresh eyes and wise eyes workforce challenges and promoting continuous learning
12:35 pm - 12:55 pm
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION w/ An Executive from Spryker
Get ready for an enlightening keynote at B2B Connect with Spryker!
12:55 pm - 1:25 pm
KEYNOTE PANEL: Crawl, Walk, Deploy: Strategies to Navigate + Integrate AI for B2B Growth
Meeta Kratz -
Global VP, Product Management & Marketing,
Lonza
Rudy Abitbol -
VP eCommerce & Digital Marketing,
A.M.G. Medical
Prakash Holalkere -
Sr. Director, Enterprise Architecture & Strategy- Data & AI,
Stanley Black & Decker
Leveraging artificial intelligence is not just a competitive advantage; it's a necessity for sustained growth. In order to introduce AI to your organization there has to be a clear understanding of AI strategies and a plan in place to foster organizational readiness. These panelists, at different stages of integration of AI, discuss the pitfalls, required pivots, and successes they’ve achieved while driving innovation through the use of AI.
- Getting executive buy-in and adopting the correct metrics to prove ROI
- Choosing where to utilize AI throughout the organization
- Selecting the right AI solutions
- Fostering the right environment to adopt AI usage by employees and customers
Prakash Holalkere
Sr. Director, Enterprise Architecture & Strategy- Data & AIStanley Black & Decker
1:25 pm - 1:55 pm
Lavender Infusion Networking Break
Fun Fact: The Rancho Bernardo Inn takes great pride in their green spaces (check out the Chef’s Garden!) For this light intermission to B2B Connect – they’ll be wowing us with refreshments inspired by their incredible lavender fields as you network and mingle.
1:55 pm - 2:25 pm
FIRESIDE CHAT: Sign of The Modernization Times: How Valvoline Knew It Was Time To Replatform. Again.
Shirley Mitchell -
Director of Global B2B eCommerce and Customer Experience, Digital,
Valvoline Global
The topic of the “right time” to replatform is an internal discussion often met with trepidation and indecision. But at Valvoline Global, Shirley Mitchell, Director of Global B2B E-commerce and Customer Experience, Digital, and her team realized that the organization was at the tipping point that would require a more robust modernization. In this fireside chat, Shirley discusses the crucial indicators that led to the decision that replatforming was required. She’ll also delve into the hindsight of what could have been improved upon within their previous platform.
- Having a new, more modern vision for a customer platform
- Meeting the needs of different types of customers
- Equipping employees to be prepared for digital transformations
- Building better partner relationships
Shirley Mitchell
Director of Global B2B eCommerce and Customer Experience, DigitalValvoline Global
The increased expectation of a customer-centric experience on your site and the technology needed to get there often clashes with the infrastructure you have in place. And while an overhaul would be ideal, financial restraints require a clear understanding of the building blocks to get to where you need to be.
- Boosting efficiency and ROI
- Discovering strategies that will breathe new life into your old systems
- Leveraging new technology that seamlessly fits into your system
This session provides insight into new ways to improve campaign performance, lead generation and ways to prove (and improve!) ROI.
3:35 pm - 4:05 pm
Elevate + Caffeinate Networking Break
This break is meant to stimulate both your mind and body, offering opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and, of course, caffeinate!
4:05 pm - 4:50 pm
THE B2B BRAINSTORM ROUNDTABLES
Long Lam -
IT Director,
HD Supply
Chris Baltusnik -
E-Commerce Transformation and Operations Leader,
Owens Corning
Laura Melendez -
Omnichannel Marketing Leader,
Ethicon
Radhika Raje -
Director, Online Merchandising,
Veritiv Corporation
The roundtable discussions offer a deeper dive into the specific areas you want to discuss. Literally pull up a seat to learn from other executives and share your own experiences. Take control of your own event experience with topics that matter to you. Sign up on site early to make sure you get access to the roundtable you want!
Table 1: Implementing and Harnessing the Power of GenAI (Cost-Effectively)
Led by: Long Lam, IT Director, HD Supply
Table 2: Structuring Your Digital Business For Optimal Results
Led by Chris Baltusnik, eCommerce Transformation and Operational Leader, Owens Corning
Table 3: Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Organization’s Followers
Led by Laura Melendez, Omnichannel Marketing Leader, Ethicon
Table 4: Enhancing On-Site Search Experience for B2B Buyers
Led by Radhika Raje, Director, Online Merchandising, Veritiv
The omnichannel experience has to be consistent and seamless to meet the expectations of today’s consumer. This session brings together retailers that were motivated to leverage composable architecture for their eCommerce experience, why they ultimately chose this route and the successes they’ve experienced.
- Providing flexibility in design and customer journey
- Allowing to build site and mobile experiences at scale
- Improving performance and security across channels
- Focusing on localization and internationalization
Generative AI has a lot of potential for amazing business outcomes, but it also has the potential to be the creator of business risks. In this open fireside chat (we want your opinions!), we’ll discuss the ethical issues and risks the surround data privacy, SEO and your workforce.
This discussion highlights the biggest concerns and risks and the need for transparency in order to successfully leverage this capability while keeping your brand integrity intact.
- Avoiding data privacy violations
- Being transparent regarding workforce concerns when introducing AI innovations
- Validating output and avoiding concerns about copyright
- Considering the effect on SEO
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Born2B Wild Cocktail Reception
It’s a jungle out there!
After a day of exchanging ideas, step outside and indulge your senses with a selection of delectable treats inspired by cuisines from around the globe. Raise a glass and toast to the spirit of B2B digital transformation—you’ll have no worries after experiencing our Hakuna Matata cocktail (or mocktail, if you prefer!)…
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sips @ Sundown
Let’s keep the party going with more evening drinks by the fire(pit). This reception is sponsored by Spryker.