As
president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail
trade association, Matthew Shay serves as chief advocate and spokesman for the
nation’s largest private-sector industry employer, responsible for supporting
one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans — and generating $2.6
trillion in annual GDP. Since his arrival in 2010, Shay has transformed NRF into
Washington’s most powerful voice supporting the retail industry. Under his
tenure membership has grown by more than 150 percent, including more than 18,000
companies; revenue has more than doubled; and the organization’s influence has
grown significantly in Washington, across the United States and globally.
Shay has led the organization to new levels of effectiveness on policy issues,
including tariffs and sales tax fairness. Shay has also been at the forefront of
shifting and framing the narrative about the current state of retail,
particularly its digital evolution and vibrant, multichannel future.
He serves as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Association Committee of
100 and is a member of the board at the U.S. Chamber, So Others Might Eat and
the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
Shay is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and The Ohio
State University College of Law, and holds a master’s degree in business
administration from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Shay
and his wife Allison live in Arlington, Va., with their three children.
This article was originally published on
associationtrends.com
Other Important NRF News
NRF and the NRF Foundation
The National Retail Federation unites 42 million working Americans around a
common goal – empowering our industry. We advocate for retail through strong
representation, year-round education and impactful storytelling.
No
one else has over 100 years of experience putting retail first.
The NRF Foundation, NRF’s philanthropic arm, stands up for the value of retail
jobs at all levels and helps support a bigger, better pool of talent for
retailers nationwide. We help more job seekers take their first steps toward
promising careers, share the real story of retail and celebrate the success of
an industry that gets stronger with every reinvention.
BIG
SHOW BY THE NUMBERS
• 37,000 attendees including 16,000 retailers representing 3,500 retail
companies
• 99 countries
• 792 exhibitors
• 517 speakers (44% female and 25% racially and/or ethnically diverse)
• 265,000 square feet of EXPO space
• 200 sessions with 100+ hours of content
• 700+ members of the press and analysts
• $45 million economic impact on New York City
ALL-STAR SPEAKER LINEUP
• Chip Bergh, president and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
• Scooter Braun, founder, SB Projects
• Tim Brown, co-founder and co-CEO, Allbirds
• Mark Chrystal, chief analytics officer, rue21
• Brian Cornell, board chairman and CEO, Target
• Diane Dietz, president and CEO, Rodan + Fields
• James Fripp, chief diversity and inclusion officer, YUM! Brands
• Chip and Joanna Gaines, co-founders, Magnolia
• Hubert Joly, chairman and CEO, Best Buy
• Rose Marcario, CEO, Patagonia
• Rebecca Minkoff, co-founder and creative director, Rebecca Minkoff
• Edward Stack, chairman and CEO, DICK'S Sporting Goods
• Kara Swisher, editor at large, Recode
MUST-SEE TECHNOLOGY
• Expanded Innovation Lab The newest technologies that are changing retail’s
future –interactive exhibits of drones, wearables, AR/VR, AI, smart tech,
robotics and smart cars.
• Startup Zone A new area of the EXPO floor showcasing technology from the
industry's best startups.
• Curated EXPO Hall tours Topics including digital commerce, blockchain and
in-store customer experience technology.
GET OUT AND SEE
• Store Tours Ranging from iconic stores in the heart of Midtown’s shopping
district to SoHo and the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center Mall.
NETWORKING
• VIBE Hosted Buyer Program VIP networking program to connect retailers and
suppliers.
• The Girls’ Lounge Powered by The Female Quotient and featuring 40 of the best
and brightest female leaders in retail, technology and business.
• Meetups Business-to-business networking platform that allows attendees and
exhibitors to schedule meetings directly with each other.
• NRF events mobile app allows retailers to interact and converse with each
other.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
• On-Demand Sessions Available via the mobile app for on-demand viewing (20+
sessions).
