The AI Mandate: How Retail Leaders Are Turning Data into Dominance

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a boardroom mandate. From personalized customer experiences and demand forecasting to supply chain optimization and workforce planning, AI is redefining how retail leaders compete and grow.

Join Krithika Ganesamoorthi, Global Solutions – Retail & Consumer Goods at Amazon Web Services, for an inside look at how top retailers are harnessing the power of AI to drive measurable results. Through real-world case studies and practical insights, you’ll learn how to move beyond experimentation and put AI at the core of your retail strategy.

This is your chance to explore the opportunities, challenges, and competitive edge that come with AI adoption—while networking with other senior executives shaping the future of retail in DFW.

Key Takeaways

By attending this event, you will learn:

• The Competitive Advantage of AI – How leading retailers are applying AI across merchandising, marketing, and operations to outperform peers.
• Practical Use Cases – Real examples of AI driving results in forecasting, personalization, and customer engagement.
• Overcoming Barriers – Strategies to address common challenges in adoption, from data silos to change management.
• Future-Proofing Your Retail Strategy – Emerging AI technologies and where retail leaders should invest next.
• Actionable Next Steps – How to evaluate your organization’s readiness and build an AI roadmap tailored to your business goals.

Schedule:

6 PM Networking, Cocktails & Light Hor’Dourves

7-8 PM Program

Location:

SMU Collins Center (Auditorium) 3150 Binkley Ave., Dallas, TX 75205

Parking across the street at the Binkley Garage, free to attendees

Map included at the bottom of this page. Parking access granted after registration.

Cost:

DFWREA Members - INCLUDED with Membership. Pre-registration Required. Become a member to save over 50% on the entire year's worth of events!

Non-Members $65

Students FREE (registration required, present student ID at check-in)

About The Speaker:

With over 15+ years domestic and international experience developing high scale, secure, reliable platforms & products and leading teams in retail, Krithika Ganesamoorthi serves as the Global Partner Solutions Architect leader for Retail at Amazon Web Services.

Ganesamoorthi is responsible for global technical strategy & execution, team development, building solutions, mentoring SA’s, finding new routes to market for partner solutions and GTM activities for ISV and Consulting partners. She is directly responsible for increasing partner solution portfolio by 7X and recruiting industry leaders to AWS.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

Amazon Web Services and Southern Methodist University

2026 Events Calendar:

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

“The AI Mandate: How Retail Leaders Are Turning Data Into Dominance”

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

“The Modern Checkout Funnel: How Social Commerce Is Disrupting Retail Forever.”

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

“Retailtainment: Why Your Store Needs to Feel More Like Fun and Less Like a Store”

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

“Is Loyalty Dead? The Brutal Truth About Customer Retention in 2025”

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

“The Innovation Playbook: What Separates Products That Fly Off Shelves from Those That Flop”

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

"From Aisles to Alarms: The Battle Against Retail Crime"

Info: Complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres included with ticket price.

Host or Publisher Dallas/Fort Worth Retail Executives Association