VELOCITY INSTITUTE
CONFERENCE + EXPO 2025

MAY 13-15, 2025 • CHARLOTTE, NC
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts

Held from May 13-15, 2025, at the Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte, NC, the Velocity Conference is the premier event celebrating "The Art of Retailer-owned Brand Innovation." The conference will bring together the entire private brand industry—retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, and solution providers—this event covers every step, from the spark of an idea to the moment the product lands on store shelves.

Featuring 30+ keynote-level speakers, including retail executives, thought leaders, and manufacturers, the conference offers exclusive insights into the strategies driving the best retailers in the world. The event also includes:

The 2025 Vertex Awards Ceremony, Exhibit, and Celebration showcases the best in retailer-owned brand package design.

Our curated Innovation Expo also hosts 25 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, tools, and services tailored to help private brands innovate and win in an evolving market.

SPEAKERS

Check in often as we add new Speakers

Tom Hermes WHOLE FOODS MARKET

Vice President, Sourcing and Product Development,

Mike Wier CVS HEALTH

Vice President Store Brands

Eastin Jordan ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Senior Vice President - Private Brands

Anick Chartrand METRO

Director Design Private Brand

Michelle Beck THE FRESH MARKET

Director of Own Brands and Local Merchandising

Bryan Bowers THE FRESH MARKET

Creative Director

Glenn Pfeifer WAKEFERN FOOD CORP

Senior Manager, Own Brands

Dana Sump CASEY'S

Private Brand Manager

Mike Roxas AHOLD DELHAIZE USA

Private Brands Packaging Engineering Manager

Christopher Durham VELOCITY INSTITUTE

President

Maria Dubuc MARKETING BY DESIGN (MBD)

President

Michael Duffy EQUATOR DESIGN

SVP, Global Creative Director & Business Development

Dr. Steen Tjarks TJARKS & TJARKS

Group CEO

Dr. Tiffani Burt SEALED AIR

Vice President of Food I&D

Mitch Madoff KEYCHAIN

Head of Retail Partnerships

Todd Maute CBX

Partner

Paul Rice FAIR TRADE USA

FOUNDER

Zane Adams FEDUP FOODS

Co-Founder | Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development

Simon Cutts SPINS

Vice President - Retail Partners

BOOK YOUR STAY!

All hotels are an easy walk to the Mint Museum

Hilton Charlotte CONFERENCE HQ

222 East Third Street,
Charlotte, NC 28202

Marriott Courtyard Charlotte City Center

237 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

The Westin
Charlotte

601 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Hyatt Place
Charlotte Downtown

222 South Caldwell Street Charlotte, NC 28202

REGISTERED RETAILERS

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

AGENDA

May 13, 2025

5:00 - 7:00Opening Cocktail Reception sponsored by MBD

May 14, 2025

8:00 - 10:00Check in

8:00-9:00Networking Breafast

9:00-12:00Conference - Morning

12:00-1:00Networking Lunch

1:00-5:00Conferencce - Afternoon

500- 7:00Vertex Awards & Cocktail Reception

May 15, 2025

8:00 - 9:00Networking Breakfast

9:00 - 12:00Conference - Morning

12:00 - 1:00Networking Lunch

1:00-3:00Conference - Afternoon

Register

Registration Options

Standard ($1,100.00)
The ticket includes entrance to all presentations, the Expo, cocktail parties, the Vertex Awards ceremony, networking breaks, breakfast, and lunch.
Retailer ($0.00)
THIS TICKET IS FOR CURRENTLY EMPLOYED RETAILERS. REGISTRATION REQUIRES A CURRENT RETAILER CORPORATE EMAIL ADDRESS.

The ticket includes entrance to all presentations, the Expo, cocktail parties, the Vertex Awards ceremony, networking breaks, breakfast, and lunch.

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