Tuesday morning Oct 29th Keynote:

Dr. Brian Harris, Chairman and Founder, The Partnering Group
and Dan Salcido, Managing Partner, Organizational Development Practice, The Partnering Group

"Future Trends in Category Management: Focusing on the Shopper, Execution and Organization Capabilities"
Category Management was first introduced to the industry by Dr. Harris almost 20 years ago. In that time, the philosophy and process of Category Management has become a “must have“ in the strategic infrastructure and decision-making toolkits of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers around the world.  Dr. Harris will retrace and highlight the key accomplishments, learnings and challenges of Category Management over the last 20 years.  Since this management approach continues to evolve to meet the changing needs and environment of the industry, he will then describe the key advances that are now occurring and those that he expects will occur in the processes and practices of Category Management in the next decade.  This vision will provide a “roadmap” for organizations to follow for the continued successful use of Category Management in the years ahead.  Dan Salcido, who leads TPG’s Organizational Development and Training Practice, will reinforce a key message of Dr. Harris that the success of Category Management ultimately comes down to people and the capabilities of the organizations in which they work. He will describe the key skills and capability requirements that are needed for success and will present a “blueprint” for the effective development of these skills and capabilities within today’s organizations.            

Dr. Brian Harris
Founder and Co-Chairman, The Partnering Group
Dr. Harris is an internationally recognized pioneer and innovative thought leader in the field of retailing and consumer products marketing. He has pioneered and successfully brought into global adoption two of the most significant developments in the retailing and consumer products marketing industry -- Computerized Shelf Space Management and Category Management. In 1983, Dr. Harris co-founded ABA Groups which developed the Apollo Space Management System. 
He is recognized around the world as the “father of Category Management”. He co-authored the U.S., European, and Brazilian ECR Category Management Best Practices Reports. In 1990, Dr. Harris co-founded The Partnering Group to develop and implement his business methods, including Category Management. He has successfully implemented his business methods in leading retailers, wholesalers, and product manufacturers in over 25 countries and has trained over 5,000 retailer and manufacturer managers in these business methods.
Dr. Harris has his Ph.D. in Marketing from Michigan State University, an MBA and a Bachelor in Economics.