Recent Keynotes & Panels
A recognized retail industry leader and visionary, Michael has delivered keynote presentations, moderated leadership panels and hosted executive interviews to audiences ranging from 1,800 retail industry insiders to intimate & interactive senior executive summits.
Showcase Ireland, Dublin, January 2019
Guest of Enterprise Ireland meeting/exploring innovative merchandise vendors and presenting an overview of the Canadian marketplace to Irish executives seeking growth opportunities powered by the CETA Trade Agreement
New York City Retail Innovation Store Tour, Manhattan January 2019
A bespoke tour for retailers based in Canada visiting New York for NRF's Big Show. We'll tour to most interesting, newest and innovative retail in the Big Apple and explore leading trend and technology issues.
Retail Council of Canada Leaders in Retail Breakfast with Lee Tappenden, President WalMart Canada, November 2018
Hosted and MC for this exclusive Q&A session with Walmart Canada president and his executive team
GROCERY: THE LEADERS OF FLYER INNOVATION
Top grocery marketers and retailers come together to talk about the weekly flyer, and why it is such a valuable advertising tool for grocers. Several years after the demise of the print flyer was predicted, grocery retailers continue to invest in the weekly flyer as an effective tool to tell their weekly story and drive store trips.
Four day series of keynote sessions covering Canadian economic, infrastructure and trade, the end of prohibition (medical & recreational cannabis legalization), understanding AI, the state of North American retail, and the impact of all this on various key industries
Moderating retail distribution panel: "Last Mile Delivery in an Increasingly Complex Market with panelists from Accenture, Canada Post and Gap
Enterprise Ireland, Technology Sector: The Future of Experiential Retail Forum, October 2018, Toronto
Opening Keynote + Retail Leaders panel participant
Pac to the Future II: Retail Reinvented, September 2018
Montreal
Morning main stage keynote speaker at the annual PAC Packaging Consortium conference presented by the Packaging Consortium. PAC Packaging Consortium is a not-for-profit corporation that includes over 2,500 members throughout the packaging value chain. I will be presenting my "Shop It Like You Stole It: Post Apocalyptic Retail" presentation.
Retail Council of Canada Retail Secure Conference, September 2018
Toronto
Moderated main-stage morning keynote panel discussion with Roots, GotStyle and Tulip Retail: "CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE & SECURITY: THE CHALLENGE OF FRICTIONLESS RETAIL"
BlueStar VIP Leader Summit, July 2018
Quebec
Keynote presentation to top BlueStar customers and VARS from across Canada sharing insights on the state of retail in Canada and the U.S., and the compelling trends that will drive innovation and technology adoption throughout the value chain.
Purolator Client Summit, June 2018
Toronto
Keynote presentation on the state of retail in Canada and the U.S. with an exclusive audience of retailers and retail industry insiders followed by moderating a panel discussion with industry thought leaders from Town Shoes, Hello Fresh and Stream Commerce. You can read Purolator Vice President of Marketing & Strategy Ramsey Mansour's summary and key take-aways from the event here.
BlueStar Innovations Solutions Tour, June 2018
Vancouver
Joined a panel of retail technology experts to share insights on the state of retail in Canada and the U.S., and the compelling trends that will drive innovation and technology adoption throughout the value chain
Retail Council of Canada's STORE, May 2018
Toronto
The ROI of Experiential Retail: l had the pleasure of interviewing Drew Green, President & CEO of retailer Indochino live on the main stage at STORE, Canada's biggest retail conference with an audience of over 1,800 retailers and retail industry insiders. You can view the full interview presentation here .
BlueStar Innovations Solution Tour, May 2018
Toronto
Joined a panel of retail technology experts to share insights on the state of retail in Canada and the U.S., and the compelling trends that will drive innovation and technology adoption throughout the value chain
Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing Conference, April 2018
Toronto
Growing A Bricks and Mortar Brand in a Digital World How can a traditional bricks and mortar retailer compete in today’s digital world? Had the pleasure of being the host for the entire day from the main stage, interviewing Jeff York, Co-CEO of Farm Boy and discussing how this Ottawa-based fresh food chain has been able to expand during a digital evolution in retail, and moderating a panel or retail marketing leaders from Mark's, Leon's and Giant Tiger discussing the modern print and digital flyer industry
SCI Omni-Channel Retail Leader Summit, April 2018
Toronto
A global leader in supply chain, logistics and solutions , SCI brings together thought leaders in the online retail space for an annual summit. Keynote presentation of "The Retail Apocalypse Has Been Cancelled"
Association for Corporate Growth BLG Retail Breakfast Seminar, February 2018
Toronto
ACG brings together Private Equity and other industry players for regular events held in downtown Toronto. Keynote presentation of "The Retail Apocalypse Has Been Cancelled
R.S.P.A 2018 Canadian Networking Event, February 2018
Toronto
Event keynote presentation "The Retail Apocalypse Has Been Cancelled" at Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame for the Retail Solutions Providers Association, Canadian chapter. From the R.S.P.A. association magazine article on the event: "The Presentations by John Kirk and Michael LeBlanc felt like they were designed specifically for our company as if the spotlight was on us."
Retail Council of Canada's Bricks & Mortar Forum, November 2017
Toronto
Brick & mortar stores continue to be the foundation of modern retail, despite the prevailing apocalyptic narrative about eCommerce and digital stores’ apparent devastating impact on physical storefronts. I began my session with a 15 minute keynote presentation "The Retail Apocalypse Has Been Cancelled" followed by moderating a panel of retail industry leaders from Cineplex Entertainment, Tulip Retail, POTLOC and Philip Group
