Virginia Retail Matters 2024

10:30AM - 11:30M: Registration/Networking

11:30AM - 2:00PM: Lunch/Presentation

This exciting event will bring together retailers, industry experts, and forward-thinking professionals to delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the retail sector in Virginia. 

About

This luncheon will include a presentation of an in-depth retail study commissioned by Retail Alliance and conducted by Main Street America. The study analyzed current sales statistics and retail trends, blending them with national and state findings from their Small Business Survey of micro and small brick-and-mortar retailers across the U.S, to provide an in-depth look at the State of Retail in the U.S. and, in particular, Virginia.

NEW IN 2024: Three additional chapters in the study: AI, Workforce, and Access to Capital

In addition to sharing the research results, we will also have presentations and panel chats on important retail and consumer trends and challenges. 

Panel chats:

Panel #1 - Gen Z/Zoomer Behavior with Melissa Minkow featuring Matthew Horne and Patrick Jackowski from Firehouse Coffee 1881

Panel #2 - Crowdfunding as Capital with Ross Chanowski from NuMarket

The event will be held at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg. 

Guest Speakers & Panel Participants 

Melissa Minkow
Melissa works for a global digital solutions partner as director of retail strategy and has previously held a senior advisor role at a global management consulting company, covering omni-channel, e-commerce, mobile commerce, and social commerce.

She graduated with an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and began her career at Target focusing on merchandising strategy. She is a RETHINK Retail Top Influencer and member of the RetailWire BrainTrust.

Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.
Matthew Wagner, Ph.D. serves as Chief Program Officer. In this role, he is responsible for driving the organization’s field service initiatives including the development and delivery of technical services for Main Street America and Urban Main programs, directing the Center’s research agenda, as well as the recently launched New Business Development work to focus on national partnerships, brand leveraging and new business growth areas.

Matthew Horne and Patrick Jackowski
Matthew and Patrick, owners of Firehouse Coffee, grew up two houses apart and remained close even after going separate ways in high school. Matt moved to California to pursue a skateboarding career, while Pat attended four different schools to pursue a baseball career. When COVID hit, Matt returned and stayed with Pat at his brother’s house. Both quit their jobs around the same time. On the day Pat was about to fly to San Diego to visit family and explore job opportunities, he stopped by Firehouse Coffee, which was closed at the time. He sat down with the then-owner, Donna, who mentioned she was thinking of selling the business.Pat immediately booked a return flight. Despite having little experience, Matt and Pat have successfully grown the business every year since taking over and look forward to continued growth in the future.

Ross Chanowski

Ross is the founder of NuMarket, a financial technology platform that introduces an innovative approach to crowdfunding, particularly aimed at supporting small businesses. By allowing everyday customers to fund businesses with a promise of a higher return in credit, Chanowski’s model benefits both the businesses in need of funding and the customers looking for value. His initiative with NuMarket reflects a deep commitment to fostering community growth and supporting local enterprises through creative financial solutions. Ross holds a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and a BA in Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

Hotel Reservations

Please call Kingsmill reservations at (800) 832-5665 and ask for the Retail Alliance Virginia Retail Matters Luncheon.  They will provide the code BIZCORP which will give you 10% off of your room rate.