2024 WLDA Summit at Build-A-Bear – A Day of AI & Retail Innovation!
The 2024 WLDA Summit Series partnered with Dara Meath, Build-A-Bear Workshop, to produce a one-day summit at the Build-A-Bear World Bearquarters in St. Louis, Missouri on September 17, 2024.
Our intent is to create and promote engagement for our members and local communities across markets, and to increase membership. This outstanding WLDA Summit, with its unique theme, was dedicated to exploring AI’s Convergence with Retail. WLDA members and non-members attended, contributed on stage, participated in networking opportunities, and breakout sessions.
The day began with breakfast, networking, book signing by Asha Saxena, and a Marketplace where event sponsors, Brainstorm Technologies, Deck Commerce, and Secure Data Technologies shared their expertise, services, and take away gifts.
The Summit program speaker AI and Data topics, presentations and breakout sessions included: Global impact and security, Innovation, Responsibility, Privacy, how technology is driving retail operations, Impact on the digital world, opportunities and challenges in the AI World, Evolution of AI Risk Management in the C-Suite, and Ethical practices.
Throughout the day and at lunch time, all attendees were given the Build-A-Bear workshop experience where they built their own personal bear or two to take home. This was a special heart felt treat and all that participated, left with a smile 🙂
The day ended with a Summit Speaker Q&A, allowing attendees to share what was on their mind and ask questions. These discussions and connections carried on to the Happy Hour Reception.
A big thank you to Dara Meath, Chris Hurt, Dave East, Peter Lythgoe, Sarah Rasmussen, Chris Deck, Zach Milkman, Colleen Mathews, Greg Drysdale, Dana Steffey, Aaron Schmeerbauch, and Lizzy Timm and her team. The expertise of the Build-A-Bear, Sponsors, and WLDA Speakers added great value and connection to the day. Thank you for your vision and expertise Asha Saxena, Dara Meath, Anne Flanagan, Karen Evans, Shertina Mawuenyega, and Master of Ceremonies, Ellen Nielsen and Seth Dobrin.
I personally want to thank everyone who attended, participated, worked behind the scenes, and for making this a successful event. We are better together!
See you at the next WLDA Summit on November 15, 2024 at the New York Stock Exchange. Register now, seats are limited.
With Kind Regards,
Rose Tafoya
WLDA Event Director
