Speaking Engagements
Columbus Region Economic Development 411
Keynote Speech
Economic development is constantly evolving. Keeping up with the latest challenges and opportunities is essential for staying relevant and effective. Join Kevin Kelley for his keynote speech and reshape your outlook on the Region's future and your role in it.
ED411 is where ideas flourish and partnerships grow. Learn more and join the conversation here!
NRF '25 Retail's Big Show
Making Your Stores Irreplaceable: How Retailers Can Survive and Thrive in the Replacement Economy
We live in an age where everything can be replaced through an app on a handheld device. So, how can physical stores compete with these easier, cheaper, and more convenient digital replacements? They can tap into other human desires, such as the need for sensory stimulation, belonging to a community, and participating in cultural celebrations. For the last three decades, Kevin Ervin Kelley—an experience designer and author of IRREPLACEABLE—has been helping retailers compete on dimensions other than price, variety, and convenience. During this provocative presentation, he will outline the key principles, tools, and techniques he and his team deploy to help retailers deliver store experiences that are irreplaceable.
Learn more and register here.
The NGA Show 2025
Shaping the Future of Grocery: Innovation, Disruption, and the Next Generation of Store Design
The NGA Show is the only show created exclusively for the grocery industry and brings together a community of independent grocers and the food retail industry to learn, engage, share, network, and innovate.
Join Kevin Kelley for two sessions: "Tech Innovation Summit" (Sunday) and "Shaping the Future of Grocery" (Monday). As a lifelong advocate of bringing people together in prosocial settings, Kevin's expertise is in studying how the environment of a place affects our behavior, perception, and decision-making.
Join us at this exciting event here!
Past Speaking Engagements
2024 Summer Fancy Food Show
Retail's Hidden Strength: Convening Consumers in Place
Join Kevin Kelley, renowned retail architect and author of 'IRREPLACEABLE', to uncover the next big thing in retail. Forget chasing after robots and AI trends. Instead, let's focus on what truly matters: human connection and experience.
Kevin argues that beyond meeting basic needs, consumers crave immersive experiences and a sense of belonging--and because of this, small to medium-sized brands can thrive by offering more than just products. Through real-world case studies, Kevin will showcase how successful food retailers are leading the way by creating unique, unforgettable experiences that bring communities together. Don't miss this thought-provoking session that will reshape your understanding of retail's true power!
Register here!
NGA 2024 Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit
The Retail Rebels
Join Kevin Kelley for his talk on The Retail Rebels: Learn how independent retailers can thrive admidst competition on Tuesday, October 29 at 4:15PM at the 2024 Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit.
This annual event hosted by the National Grocers Association (NGA) is designed for the leadership teams of the independent grocery industry.
Register here!
HNGRY Summit
Creating Theatre Out of Food in the Digital Age
New technologies continue to change the world we know, but what does that mean for the food industry? Join Kevin Kelley for his breakout session on food in the digital age.
The 2024 HNGRY Summit will bring together thoughtful minds across the chain to examine our future food system through conversation, ideation, and collaboration.
To grab a delicous bite and join the conversation, register here!