Keynote: You Can Compete 
Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor
Tuesday, July 26 │ 9:00 AM

The flawed assumption nearly every traditional retailer makes is that they'll edge out their online competitors by beating them on price. But with rising costs in both leases and labor, this just isn't sustainable. However, there is one thing brick-and-mortar retailers can do that online retailers won't ever do. In "You Can Compete," Bob Phibbs outlines the startlingly simple, but mostly overlooked, insight that will help you to not just grow your profitability, but reinvent your business as a whole. This power-packed keynote introduces you to the secret weapon others can never replicate. You will learn how to grow your profitability and reinvent your business. 

How to Get More Customers Using Tools You Already Have
Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor
Tuesday, July 26 │ 10:30 AM

With so many options to get the word out about your business, what works and what doesn’t? How can you leverage the excitement of your loyal customers? And how can you do it all without discounting your prices? During this breakout, Bob Phibbs will address questions and illustrate best practices to get in front of people who want to buy from you. 

Bob Phibbs is an internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, author of three books, motivational business speaker, and founder of SalesRX, a strategy and done-for-you virtual training firm that specializes in working with retailers and brands who want to sell their merchandise more profitably. SalesRX2022 has recently launched to prepare retailers for the new challenges of a waning pandemic. Phibbs was awarded the World Retail Forum’s Innovation Leadership Award 2020 in recognition of his efforts to help retail recover stronger from COVID-19 through his online training platform SalesRX. Phibbs has worked with thousands of retail executives and entrepreneurs to grow margins, improve customer service and train employees. His clientele has included many of the Fortune 500, Brother, Hunter Douglas, Lego and Yamaha. He hosts Tell Me Something Good About Retail, the #1 podcast for retailers who want to grow their business, and The Retail Doctor Blog has been Feedspot’s #1 Retail Blog from 2017 to 2021.

Breakfast with Warren:
A History of American Candy Making 
Warren Schimpff, Schimpff's Confectionery
Wednesday, July 27 │ 8:15 AM

Uncover the rich history of American candy making as Warren Schimpff shares his immense knowledge obtained over years of curating candy equipment and memorabilia for the Schimpff Candy Museum. Grow your appreciation of the industry’s sweet history and learn the value of weaving your new-found knowledge into your company’s story.

Warren and Jill Schimpff presently own Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a family-owned candy business begun by Warren’s great-grandfather in 1891. Sometime in the late 1970s they mistakenly purchased an antique candy tin containing hard candy like they were making with the old machines they collected. This was the start of what has become the Schimpff Candy Museum. One tin led to more tins and boxes and anything that had to do with candy advertising and history. Over the years, they developed a love for collecting candy equipment and memorabilia. In 1989, they purchased ninety-nine-year-old Schimpff’s Confectionery from Warren’s aunt. For 10 years, they operated the business from California and in 2000, they retired from their jobs and moved to Jeffersonville to operate the business hands-on and make candy full time.

Warren and Jill get joy, not only by helping to educate people about the history of American candy making, but by helping to preserve the 131-year-old family business and the small-town atmosphere of its downtown district. The museum contains around 4,600 items, that are carefully logged into the collection inventory. In addition, the museum collection includes some 30 candy machines, 120 pairs of drop rollers and 300 clear toy molds.

Color Your World with Cocoa Butter
Brian Donaghy, Tomric Systems, Inc.
Wednesday, July 27 │ 9:00 AM

As the expression goes, we eat with our eyes first. In a live demonstration, explore ways to add pops of color to your chocolate confections with colored cocoa butter. Add value to your confections by learning useful techniques for tempering and applying colored cocoa butter to create eye-catching decorations and artistic expressions.

Brian Donaghy is currently the Corporate Chocolatier and Innovation Center Director for Tomric Systems, Inc. of Buffalo, NY. At Tomric he is responsible for training and customer support of all Tomric products but spends most of his time coaching and training on Selmi Chocolate Handling equipment in Buffalo and throughout North America. His passport includes numerous stamps from cacao origin countries and has been in more chocolate plants than he remembers. Prior to his time with Tomric Brian worked for a Swiss chocolate import company, The Ritz-Carlton and was a culinary instructor.  When not working with, eating or cleaning up chocolate you will find him on adventures with his family or on a squash court.

Packaging that Pops!
Bill Copeland, aspecialtybox.com
Wednesday, July 27 │ 2:00 PM

Creative packaging can make even the most ordinary products appealing—imagine the possibilities for confections! Leverage best practices in packaging to make your products stand out on the shelf, online and in hand. Identify key techniques and trends to elevate your packaging without breaking the bank.

Bill Copeland has an extensive professional career acquiring skills that allow him to virtually support all functions required in the confection industry. While serving in the military, Bill provided critical secure communications for major military operations. In the 1980s, Bill worked to develop just-in-time printing solutions for corporate clients such as Boeing, Rockwell, McDonnell Douglas and more. Bill has also been on the forefront of the 3D printing revolution and provides rapid prototyping for the confectionery industry.

More recently, two new companies were given birth in response to market needs not being met; in 1998 aspecialtybox.com and WKI, LLC. One a high-end specialty packaging company, providing luxury confectionery packaging allowing small to medium size companies the ability to compete with larger competitors without the need to purchase large quantities of custom packaging. This company was one of the first to provide online ordering with products fulfilled on-demand as needed. In 2010, Glacier Confection was launched to provide high quality artisan chocolate to clients located both domestically and internationally. Focusing on the finest cacao and ingredients available across the globe, this company was created to allow a better understanding of the needs of his confectionary clients and their packaging needs.

Seek or Discover:Mysteries to Customer Acquisition & Nurturing Revealed
Jennifer Shaheen, Technology Therapy Group
Wednesday, July 27 │ 3:00 PM

Customers seek and discover businesses every day on Google, social media, mobile apps and through content. What is most important as candy businesses is to understand the customers’ current mindset where they seek or discover you. Walk through the customer mindset based on various digital channels, and better understand what to say to capture your customers in that moment. Learn how to nurture the relationship and drive the customer toward the path of purchase.

Smart. Strategic. Supportive. Jennifer Shaheen, head of the Technology Therapy Group, leads companies caught at the crossroads of marketing and technology through the dynamic, evolving world of digital marketing. An experienced educator, Jennifer brings an entrepreneur's perspective to marketing, embracing the best of the web and digital strategies to help business owners connect with their customers

Candy Clinic 
RCI Member Exclusive
Tuesday, July 26 │ 3:00 PM

Get recognized for your creative, new ideas! If you have a clever concept that has worked well in your business, you're invited to share it! This session will give you creative ideas for your store as fellow RCI members share during a short presentation about their best products, packaging and marketing. Attendees vote for their favorite entrants and awards are presented to winners at the Awards & Afterglow on Wednesday evening. View what Candy Clinic is like! Categories include:

• Best Summer Idea
• Best Christmas Idea
• Best Valentine's Day Idea
• Best Easter Idea
• Best Misc. Holiday Idea
• Best Marketing/Merchandising Idea
• Best Packaging Idea
• Best New Piece
• Best Innovation

Kettle Talk
RCI Member Exclusive
Wednesday, July 27 │ 4:00 PM

Do you want to know the secrets to making exceptional confections? Join this open discussion where confectionery professionals ask questions and share knowledge on the topics of chocolate techniques, production, regulatory affairs, labeling laws, business ownership and more. Drop off questions in advance at the registration desk or ask questions directly during the session.