Agenda 2026 - Hyper Relevance Summit 2026

The Retail Hyper Relevance Summit '26
- Agenda -

8.30

Doors open

9.10

Opening remarks

- Salena Knight, Retail Strategist

9.20

Hyper relevance in 2026: a reality check on competitive advantage

- Geoff Manchester, Co-Founder & Director, Intrepid Travel
- Jeremy Meltzer, Founder & CEO, i=Change

10.00

Opening Panel

What makes a brand hyper relevant? What are the untapped brand-building opportunities for Australian retailers. Why now and what are the risks if we continue on the same path?

- Zoe Hertelendi, Retail Executive, Freedom Furniture
- Kieron Ritchard, Former CEO, Fantastic Furniture
- Jordana Macfarlaine, Marketing Director Havaianas Australia, Aqueo
- Will On, Co-Founder, Shippit

Moderator: Fleur Carter, Global Projects - Leadership, Ingka (IKEA)

10.30

Reflections from Nora’s behind the scenes China tour

We share the on the ground realities of the AWS and Nora tour which assessed the innovations and trajectory of dominant marketplaces

- Brooke Moody, Senior Account Director - Retail & CPG, AWS
- Gayle Burchell, Chief Commercial & Sustainability Officer, THE ICONIC

10.50

Networking break

11.10

Panel: Bridging Worlds

What can be learnt from how Fred Hollows has become one of Australia's most respected brands? And what's the impact for cosmetics brand, Okkiyo, to give back to Fred Hollows, and build this into their online customer journey?

- Julia Tauber, Head of Global Philanthropy, The Fred Hollows Foundation
- Jacqueline Beltz, Founder & CEO, Okkiyo

Moderator: Jeremy Meltzer, Founder & CEO, i=Change

11.35

Panel: International Impact: Why Give Globally

What does the recent tragedy in Nepal reveal of the opportunity to give globally? When the issues get very real, how does authentic storytelling move people to action and build passionate brand ambassadors?

- Madeline Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer, Adara Development
- Belinda Howell, Board Director, Plan International
- Anna Bowden, Chief Executive Officer, SurfAid

Moderator: Jeremy Meltzer, Founder & CEO, i=Change

12.00

Fireside chat: Updating the retail toolkit

Are we reaching the limits of performance marketing, and should we be investing more in brand? At this moment of maximum disruption, can purpose build a competitive moat so Australian retail becomes a global model of success?

- Fleur Carter, Global Projects - Leadership, Ingka (IKEA)
- Basil Karam, Chief Executive Officer, Life Interiors

12.40

Lunch

1.25

Open interactive session: Team & talent: the intersection of purpose & performance

Can a clear purpose be the ultimate force-multiplier? Yet building a business - or a movement - needs a committed team to succeed. Does purpose have its pitfalls, or does it powerfully attract, retain and galvanise great talent, which feeds straight to the bottom line?

- Antonia Ruffell, Managing Director - Australia, Pledge 1%
- Ella Killworth, Country Brand Manager, Cotton On
- Steve Borg, SAP Client Management & Alliances Lead, EPI-USE

Moderator: Fleur Carter, Global Projects - Leadership, Ingka (IKEA)

2.00

Panel: Brand, purpose & building a new audience

Is an unwavering commitment to impact ultimately a business cost, or a longer-term driver of growth? When committed, what should be our role as retail impact leaders?

- Logan Whitaker, Global Development Manager, Cotton On Foundation
- Gill Whelan, Former GM, Decjuba Foundation

2.35

Industry level agreements

- Katie Derrett, Chief Executive Officer, NORA
- Jeremy Meltzer, Founder & CEO, i=Change

3.00

Panel: National Impact & your social local license to operate - the clock is ticking

Climate related events are becoming more intense and frequent. What do the models predict? How do these different organisations continue to earn their social license to operate - and what's the business case?

- Katie Reid, Director of Regenerative Impact and Innovation, WWF-

Australia

- Geoff Manchester, Co-Founder & Director, Intrepid Travel

Moderator: Fleur Carter, Global Projects - Leadership, Ingka (IKEA)

3.45

Panel: The commercial reality & building brands that matter

With retailers competing for share of mind, share of wallet and share of heart, the meeting point of what matters to the business and its customers, can unlock significant commercial value.

- Mark Mansour, Managing Director, Woolworths MarketPlus
- Violeta Tentomas, Founder & Director, WEST 14TH
- Lucia Garajova, Marketing Director, The Aje Collective

Moderator: Jeremy Meltzer, Founder & CEO, i=Change

4.20

Closing remarks