Retail Rewired: From Transactions to communities
Tuesday, January 13
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Microsoft Innovation Hub, New York City
11 Times Square, New York, NY 10036
Event Objective
The Future of Communities in Retail is an exclusive, co-hosted experience by New Black, Microsoft, Apple, and J.P. Morgan Chase, designed to immerse top retail executives in the future of commerce — where community, context, and commerce come together.
Participants will step into real retail roles — associate, customer, and manager — to experience how EVA Communities, Microsoft Fabric, and Apple’s retail ecosystem create connected, human, and data-driven retail moments.
Core Objectives
Position the alliance of New Black, Microsoft, Apple, and J.P. Morgan Chase as the ecosystem defining retail transformation.
Demonstrate how data and payments drive community-led loyalty.
Let executives feel contextual commerce in a hands-on environment.
Strengthen executive relationships and generate qualified post-NRF follow-up opportunities.
Program
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome & Networking Breakfast
Arrival, registration, and informal networking. Premium coffee & pastries by in-house barista.
Microsoft
Host
New Black
Host
9:15 AM – 10:05 AM
Opening Keynote – The Future of Communities in Retail
Set the stage: why community-led loyalty is the next frontier.
Apple
Host
New Black
Host
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM
Hands-On Experience – Building Retail Communities
Immersive session where guests act as associate, customer, and manager to experience EVA Communities. Focus: peer engagement, loyalty, and contextual commerce.
New Black
Host
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat – From Community Data to Insight
Discussion on how data and payments unlock new dimensions of loyalty, engagement, and growth.
Microsoft
Host
J. P. Morgan
Host
Apple
Host
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Coffee & Candy Moment
Relaxed wrap-up, networking, and closing remarks.
Facilitators & Hosts
Linda Pimmeshofer
Moderator
Steers the conversation, ensuring a balanced and engaging dialogue across all hosts.
Pim Vijftigschild
Strategic Host
Sets the vision on contextual commerce and community-driven retail.
Alberto Riva
Experience Lead
Orchestrates the interactive, hands-on session and ensures smooth execution.
Keith Mercier
Industry Advisor
Brings insights on how Microsoft Fabric connects data, people, and processes.
Jack Stratten
Panelist – Retail Expert
Offers perspective on consumer behavior and the evolution of loyalty.
Greg Merrill
Panelist – Retail Leader
Shares firsthand experience leading digital transformation in global retail.
Leni Hakvoort
Panelist – Community Strategy
Explains how communities become the new loyalty model in retail.
Executives (TBD)
Payments Host
Represent the evolution of payments and its strategic role in community commerce.
Ryan Nichols
Coordination Lead
Oversees guest experience, barista setup, and event logistics.
Attendees & Internal Responsibility
Attendees
40 invited C-level and VP retail executives (by invitation only)
Hosts
1 representative per organization (New Black, Microsoft, Apple, J.P. Morgan Chase)
Audience Type
Retail leaders in digital transformation, loyalty, and payments
Internal Event Owner
Pim Vijftigschild
Operations Lead
Alberto Riva
Venue Lead
Microsoft Events Team, Innovation Hub NYC
Pre-Event Setup
Monday, January 12 — from 4:00 PM
Venue access confirmed from 16:00 for full event setup.
Complete stage, sound, lighting, and branding installation on Monday evening.
Hands-on session build: mock store environment for EVA Communities experience, including iPhones, iPads, and demo stations.
Barista & hospitality setup (coffee machines, supplies, and service station) to be installed the evening before — morning setup time is too limited.
Technical check: Microsoft Fabric demo and EVA live environment validation.
Dry run: short technical and flow rehearsal with all facilitators around 19:00.
Morning of Event
Tuesday, January 13 — from 7:30 AM
07:30 venue open for final checks and sound test.
08:00 barista activation and breakfast prep.
08:30 doors open for registration.
Internal Notes
Materials
Name badge lanyard, EVA demo devices (iPhones/iPads), Heritage Collection lanyards
Reporting
Each partner to provide post-event summary (attendees, discussions, follow-ups).
Atmosphere
Personal, premium, and high-energy — participants should feel part of a movement, not an event.
Team Guidelines
Dress Code
Nerd Merch Collection 2026.
Timing
On time is 10 minutes early.
Preparation
Know your content, flow, and audience.
Retail Rewired: From Transactions to communities
Tuesday, January 13
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Microsoft Innovation Hub, New York City
11 Times Square, New York, NY 10036
Event Objective
The Future of Communities in Retail is an exclusive, co-hosted experience by New Black, Microsoft, Apple, and J.P. Morgan Chase, designed to immerse top retail executives in the future of commerce — where community, context, and commerce come together.
Participants will step into real retail roles — associate, customer, and manager — to experience how EVA Communities, Microsoft Fabric, and Apple’s retail ecosystem create connected, human, and data-driven retail moments.
Core Objectives
Position the alliance of New Black, Microsoft, Apple, and J.P. Morgan Chase as the ecosystem defining retail transformation.
Demonstrate how data and payments drive community-led loyalty.
Let executives feel contextual commerce in a hands-on environment.
Strengthen executive relationships and generate qualified post-NRF follow-up opportunities.
Program
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome & Networking Breakfast
Arrival, registration, and informal networking. Premium coffee & pastries by in-house barista.
Microsoft
Host
New Black
Host
9:15 AM – 10:05 AM
Opening Keynote – The Future of Communities in Retail
Set the stage: why community-led loyalty is the next frontier.
Apple
Host
New Black
Host
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM
Hands-On Experience – Building Retail Communities
Immersive session where guests act as associate, customer, and manager to experience EVA Communities. Focus: peer engagement, loyalty, and contextual commerce.
New Black
Host
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat – From Community Data to Insight
Discussion on how data and payments unlock new dimensions of loyalty, engagement, and growth.
Microsoft
Host
J. P. Morgan
Host
Apple
Host
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Coffee & Candy Moment
Relaxed wrap-up, networking, and closing remarks.
Facilitators & Hosts
Linda Pimmeshofer
Moderator
Steers the conversation, ensuring a balanced and engaging dialogue across all hosts.
Pim Vijftigschild
Strategic Host
Sets the vision on contextual commerce and community-driven retail.
Alberto Riva
Experience Lead
Orchestrates the interactive, hands-on session and ensures smooth execution.
Keith Mercier
Industry Advisor
Brings insights on how Microsoft Fabric connects data, people, and processes.
Jack Stratten
Panelist – Retail Expert
Offers perspective on consumer behavior and the evolution of loyalty.
Greg Merrill
Panelist – Retail Leader
Shares firsthand experience leading digital transformation in global retail.
Leni Hakvoort
Panelist – Community Strategy
Explains how communities become the new loyalty model in retail.
Executives (TBD)
Payments Host
Represent the evolution of payments and its strategic role in community commerce.
Ryan Nichols
Coordination Lead
Oversees guest experience, barista setup, and event logistics.
Attendees & Internal Responsibility
Attendees
40 invited C-level and VP retail executives (by invitation only)
Hosts
1 representative per organization (New Black, Microsoft, Apple, J.P. Morgan Chase)
Audience Type
Retail leaders in digital transformation, loyalty, and payments
Internal Event Owner
Pim Vijftigschild
Operations Lead
Alberto Riva
Venue Lead
Microsoft Events Team, Innovation Hub NYC
Pre-Event Setup
Monday, January 12 — from 4:00 PM
Venue access confirmed from 16:00 for full event setup.
Complete stage, sound, lighting, and branding installation on Monday evening.
Hands-on session build: mock store environment for EVA Communities experience, including iPhones, iPads, and demo stations.
Barista & hospitality setup (coffee machines, supplies, and service station) to be installed the evening before — morning setup time is too limited.
Technical check: Microsoft Fabric demo and EVA live environment validation.
Dry run: short technical and flow rehearsal with all facilitators around 19:00.
Morning of Event
Tuesday, January 13 — from 7:30 AM
07:30 venue open for final checks and sound test.
08:00 barista activation and breakfast prep.
08:30 doors open for registration.
Internal Notes
Materials
Name badge lanyard, EVA demo devices (iPhones/iPads), Heritage Collection lanyards
Reporting
Each partner to provide post-event summary (attendees, discussions, follow-ups).
Atmosphere
Personal, premium, and high-energy — participants should feel part of a movement, not an event.
Team Guidelines
Dress Code
Nerd Merch Collection 2026.
Timing
On time is 10 minutes early.
Preparation
Know your content, flow, and audience.