Where Brands Meet to Unlock Envision Explore Build the Future

The Lead Summit brings together globally-recognized scaled brands, high-growth challenger brands, forward-looking retailers, and the next-gen tech enabling the future.

Across two dynamic days in vibrant NYC, you’ll make beneficial connections, learn & apply what’s working for other brands, and develop business-changing tech partnerships.

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"The speakers, topics, and tech partners are expertly curated. I left with a renewed focus on driving the most seamless experience for my customers, new and meaningful relationships plus a list of future business partners to follow up with."

WINNING STRATEGIES & NEXT-GEN TECHNOLOGY

Your customers and the economic climate is changing fast—how are you keeping up?
Are your digital and physical storefronts differentiated and built for how customers actually shop today?
AI is transforming everything—how will you use it to your advantage?
Is your tech stack setting you up for growth—or holding you back?
Marketing and selling channels are proliferating - do you know which ones can bring you incremental growth?

FREE REGISTRATION FOR BRANDS & RETAILERS

We’re giving qualifying brands & retailers free tickets to come learn, collaborate and create what’s next at The Lead Summit. Free tickets are limited and we will sell out like last year – don’t wait!

(Subject to review and approval)

INTRODUCING THE [VIP] BRAND TICKET

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 AT 5PM PT

This is how you come for FREE and so much more!

Limited Free Brand and Retail registrations remain. The Free Brand Ticket is available to qualifying brands & retailers free tickets to come learn, collaborate and create what’s next at The Lead Summit.

The [VIP] Brand Ticket is for brand and retail attendees enrolled in The Meetings Program. As a VIP you receive incredible benefits including: Free registration, up to $1,000 in cash reimbursement*, access to The VIP Brand Lounge, The VIP Brand Wi-Fi Network, special VIP lines and so much more!

The Meetings Program is a special way to “speed date” the tech partners who can help you build a more successful future. Meetings are short and productive – just 15 minutes each! You choose 4 or 8 meetings* and because meetings are double opt-in, you only meet partners you’re interested in. The Meetings Program has a 94% satisfaction rate!

Free Registration to The Lead Summit

Up to $1,000 Cash Reimbursement*

4 or 8, 1-to-1 Double Opt-in Meetings

VIP Brand Lounge Access (New!)

VIP Brand Registration Line (New!)

VIP Brand Wi-Fi Access (New!)

*Up to $1,000 reimbursement if taking 8 meetings, $500 if taking 4 meetings.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Learn & Apply What’s Working for Other Brands:

Speak to and Compare Strategies with Other Ambitious Brands & Retailers:

Learn how other brands are overcoming common challenges, testing new concepts and excelling in an increasingly competitive landscape. Walk away with a clear understanding of how to apply these learnings to your everyday challenges and opportunities.

Meet peers in similar positions to discuss and solve challenges together through structured discussion groups, hands-on workshops, curated dinners, and focused lunches.

See Transformational Technology That Can Boost Your Business:

Meet and Experience the New York Way:

The Innovation Village is home to cutting-edge startups and proven tech partners delivering game-changing solutions. From ecommerce and marketing to automation, AI, CX, and personalization, the Village features over 80 tools that can help you do more with less.

The city’s best comes to The Lead Summit. From incredible eats to exclusive parties and unforgettable views, nowhere mixes business, entertainment and exclusive experiences better than New York City.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Learn & Apply What’s Working for Other Brands:

Speak to and Compare Strategies with Other Ambitious Brands & Retailers:

Meet peers in similar positions to discuss and solve challenges together through structured discussion groups, hands-on workshops, curated dinners, and focused lunches.

See Transformational Technology That Can Boost Your Business:

Meet and Experience the New York Way:

The city’s best comes to The Lead Summit. From incredible eats to exclusive parties and unforgettable views,nowhere mixes business, entertainment and exclusive experiences better than New York City.

These are newsmakers, innovators and leaders driving success at their brands. The Lead’s content team is meticulously setting the agenda for the greatest impact – with a variety of perspectives and deep discussion and so you get to hear authentic takes on why and how they succeeded, and how you can too.

We are currently selecting 2025 speakers.
Join our mailing list to receive updates!

Melissa Worth
SVP, Americas
New Balance Athletics

Katie Reeves
Managing Director
COS North America

Heather Wilberger
CTO & CIO
VINCE

Christina Hennigton
EVP and Chief Growth Officer
Target

Join our mailing list to receive updates!

Kristin Patrick
CMO & CDO
Marc Jacobs

Jen Jackson Brown
SVP, Fashion Private Brands
Walmart

Ricardo Lajoie
Global Chief Merchant
Vans

Tracy Bay
SVP, Head of Strategy & Head of Ecommerce
J.Crew Group

J. Crew, J. Crew Factory, & Madewell

Steve Malony
CEO
Belkin

Tracy Knauer
VP, North America Marketing & DTC
New Balance

Lori Singer
President
Parlux

Billie Eilish Fragrances, Paris Hilton Fragrances, Better World Fragrance House by Drake, The Shop by LeBron James and Maverick Carter

Miryha Fantegrossi
SVP, Merchandising & Design
Wacoal America

As the business of brands – both young and mature – evolves, the Lead Summit agenda will help you solve today’s problems while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. The program is truly authentic – we select the speakers, but we do not dictate the content. You’ll hear directly from leaders setting strategy, practitioners executing it and most importantly: why they did it, how they did it, and how you can too.

3,000+ professionals attend The Lead Summit, including more than 1,600 brand and retail attendees coming from marketing, ecommerce, digital, stores, customer experience, last mile, data, strategy, innovation, and information technology. The attendees represent a robust representation of how brands sell across channels, online and offline.

Network the New York Way

The Lead Summit goes beyond the agenda to craft unforgettable social experiences— where the biggest moves are made. Build lasting business connections over rooftop cocktails and dinners at NYC’s most exclusive restaurants. Enjoy elevated food with on-site favorites like Sweetgreen, Fuko, Levain, Chloe’s, Baked By Melissa, Cava and more. Explore creative activations like the Barbie Dream House in the Innovation Village, with even more surprises coming in 2025!

New for 2025!

The DTC Symposium is a new, co-located event taking place on May 29th at The Lead Summit – and included with your Summit registration! Build your network with 600+ fellow DTC leaders in this program designed to help you develop strategies and tactics that will serve your uniquely high-growth cultures.

Brand leaders and decision makers don’t simply attend – they swarm The Innovation Village and take advantage of The Meetings Program (prescheduled, double opt-in meetings) to go deeper on needs, follow up on stage content, explore value creating tools and prepare for the next buying cycle.

Engage full teams and hard-to-reach decision-makers

who have expressed interest in your solutions.

THE LOCATION

The Lead Summit is held at Pier 36 — with world-class views of DUMBO, The Brooklyn Bridge, and the NYC skyline. Located just north of Manhattan’s Financial District, Pier 36 radiates the energy of iconic & modern New York. (299 South St, New York, NY 10002)