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Posted in Speakers 2023.

David Polinchock

  • Speaker Company: Brand Experience Lab
  • Speaker Title/Position: Founder/Chief Experience Officer

For 20+ years, David has explored emerging technologies that can help brands tell better stories. He is the President of the Unified Brand Experience Lab, a new retail lab, designed to give companies in the retail, VR/AR and OOH industries a place to work, showcase and demo the technologies they’re creating. He was an early pioneer in the use of virtual reality for advertising and marketing, having started experiential advertising using VR in 1991. Since then, he has run his own lab, was the Director of the 1st AT&T AdWorks Lab and worked at the PwC Experience Center. He has worked on a variety of emerging technology launches, including the award-winning AudienceGames cinema AR program.

In those many years, David has covered a lot of ground, but one thing has remained consistent: He’s looked for innovative ways to create compelling, authentic and relevant brand experiences.

He’s been very fortunate to have the chance to travel with his daughter Sydney, who helps him remember that the most important experiences are the ones you share with people you love.

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Posted in Speakers 2023.

Leon Nicholas

  • Speaker Company: WestRock
  • Speaker Title/Position: Vice President, Retail Insights & Solutions

Leon Nicholas works across WestRock’s commercial organization to advance retail insights across a broad portfolio of differentiated solutions for consumer goods and retail customers. Leon’s background includes over 28 years in the consumer goods and retail industry working for Hannaford Bros, Information Resources, Veridiem, and Global Insight. He joined Kantar Retail in 2008, where he led a team of retail analysts and advisors to retailers and manufacturers, and most recently served as its Chief Insights Officer.​

Leon is widely-cited in the retail trade and national news media, including TV, radio, and print. He has been a contributor to CNBC, CNN Radio, Bloomberg, The Wall St. Journal, NPR, and Washington Post; a co-author in trade publications ranging from Drug Store News, MMR, and Progressive Grocer; and a panelist in industry forums ranging from NACDS, NRF, and GlobalShop. He is a sought-after presenter at numerous industry trade conferences and customer strategic engagements.​

Leon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, from Bates College.

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Posted in Speakers 2023.

William Fairman

  • Speaker Company: Recrylic®
  • Speaker Title/Position: VP, Strategy + Development

William Fairman is the VP, Strategy + Development for Recrylic® – the world’s only line of certified recycled acrylic sheets.  As an experienced supply chain professional, Bill has developed innovative retail process improvement solutions for some of the world’s top brands, including Target, Samsung, Best Buy and others.  He brings a deep perspective from the client, manufacturer and supplier perspective, delivering results across large-scale multi-location businesses.

As head of Recrylic introduction and certification, Bill and his team develop creative and sustainable retail solutions for leading organizations.  Headquartered in Minneapolis, Recrylic is part of Taylor Corp., one of the world’s largest marketing implementation companies.  

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Posted in Speakers 2023.

Paul Richardson

  • Speaker Company: Recrylic®
  • Speaker Title/Position: VP, Marketing

Paul Richardson is the VP, Marketing for Recrylic® – the world’s only line of certified recycled acrylic sheets.  As an experienced marketing professional, Paul has developed retail solutions for a variety of top brands, including American Express, AT&T, Citizens Bank, Samsung and others.  He also brings deep perspective from the client, agency and fabrication side of the business – across both traditional and digital applications.

As head of marketing for Recrylic, Paul works to introduce clients to sustainable retail display solutions.  Headquartered in Minneapolis, Recrylic is part of Taylor Corp., one of the world’s largest marketing implementation companies.  

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Posted in Speakers 2023.

Corydon Martin

  • Speaker Company: JGA
  • Speaker Title/Position: Development + Marketing

Cord, who leads JGA’s Development and Communications activities has extensive experience in communications, digital marketing, and developing market strategies for firms both local and global. His background allows him to work with clients on every aspect of their projects, from the initial conceptual development through final design. He works to promote and expand JGA’s notoriety through a multitude of media outlets as well as through client connections. 

Cord works alongside JGA’s clients such as Allen Edmunds, Paradies Lagardere, and Psycho Bunny. Prior notable clients include General Motors, Detroit Zoological Society, and the HGTV and DIY Networks.

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