Keynote speaker: Kathy cruz
With a passion for indie retail, an eye for trends and an analytical mind, Kathy Cruz has carved her niche as a go-to expert for brick-and-mortar business owners looking to thrive in the ever-evolving retail landscape.
As the founder of Savvy Shopkeeper, she has transformed her experiences and insights as a retailer and entrepreneur into a valuable resource for fellow shop owners.
Through her blog, podcast and social media platforms, Kathy shares practical tips, success stories, and industry trends, empowering indie retailers to navigate challenges and maximize their potential.
CHECK BACK SOON FOR more speaker bios!
Melody Caban
cathy donovan wagner
cathy donovan wagner
OWNER
MELODY CABAN CONSULTING
Melody Cabán is a seasoned expert whose work has increased store bag values by 60% and even quadrupled online sales while earning features in local and national magazines like USA Today. Her strategy harnesses a potent combination of analytical precision and rich industry insights to drive growth and foster de
OWNER
MELODY CABAN CONSULTING
Melody Cabán is a seasoned expert whose work has increased store bag values by 60% and even quadrupled online sales while earning features in local and national magazines like USA Today. Her strategy harnesses a potent combination of analytical precision and rich industry insights to drive growth and foster deep engagement. Her firm, Melody Cabán Consulting is a Latina-owned consulting service that cracks an urgent problem facing destination retailers: The desire for a top-tier store while not having the dedicated in-house expertise or bandwidth to manage it.
cathy donovan wagner
cathy donovan wagner
cathy donovan wagner
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in M
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in March 2022. The Inis showroom immerses guests in the scents and sensations of the sea, with 1,200 square feet of space and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of palm trees and the Pacific Ocean.
MICHAEL HALE
cathy donovan wagner
MICHAEL HALE
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in M
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in March 2022. The Inis showroom immerses guests in the scents and sensations of the sea, with 1,200 square feet of space and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of palm trees and the Pacific Ocean.
WILLIAM HILL
Patrick Keiser
Patrick Keiser
RETAIL STORE MANAGER
MARGARITAVILLE RESORT ORLANDO
William has done a complete overhaul of the 1,700-square-foot gift store since he began with the Margaritaville Resort Orlando in June 2022. He brings 15 years of retail management experience to his new role and is taking the store to the next level of upscale resort retail, which includes
RETAIL STORE MANAGER
MARGARITAVILLE RESORT ORLANDO
William has done a complete overhaul of the 1,700-square-foot gift store since he began with the Margaritaville Resort Orlando in June 2022. He brings 15 years of retail management experience to his new role and is taking the store to the next level of upscale resort retail, which includes a robust onboarding program for staff. As the island-inspired resort continues to grow, the retail store is shifting its mix to keep guests and residents in the “5 O’clock” spirit with an engaging store staff to help inspire purchases.
Patrick Keiser
Patrick Keiser
Patrick Keiser
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HEART ON MAIN STREET
Patrick Keiser starting a role with the wholesale sales and marketing company OneCoast in 2016. At OneCoast, Patrick found his home working with an organization that services independent retailers around the country. He was able to combine his passions of learning and educating to help others
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HEART ON MAIN STREET
Patrick Keiser starting a role with the wholesale sales and marketing company OneCoast in 2016. At OneCoast, Patrick found his home working with an organization that services independent retailers around the country. He was able to combine his passions of learning and educating to help others better serve their communities. In 2021, he conceptualized the idea of bringing together the efforts of companies and organizations that relied on Main Street businesses to provide more tools, resources, and education to retailers across the country. Heart on Main Street was born in 2022.
wendy morgan
Melissa Steadman
Melissa Steadman
OWNER/OPERATIONS MANAGER
THE ADMIRALTY
Wendy L. Morgan owns and operates The Admiralty on the Strand on Galveston Island, Texas, along with her mother and sister handling operations and employee relations. Her family has seen the iconic store through many hurricanes, including Hurricane Ike, which flooded the store in 2008, Hurricane Ha
OWNER/OPERATIONS MANAGER
THE ADMIRALTY
Wendy L. Morgan owns and operates The Admiralty on the Strand on Galveston Island, Texas, along with her mother and sister handling operations and employee relations. Her family has seen the iconic store through many hurricanes, including Hurricane Ike, which flooded the store in 2008, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Beryl. Each hurricane had different outcomes and through proper planning, preparations and action, the store has been able to persevere through the storms. Wendy also has 25 years in communications including seven years in city government handing flood safety and weather related emergency communications.
Melissa Steadman
Melissa Steadman
Melissa Steadman
OWNER
MOONBRIDGE MARKETING
Melissa Steadman helps busy retailers streamline their marketing. By focusing on
"sustainable marketing," she ensures owners use the best channels and strategies to
connect with their customers effectively
— both online and offline. She recently joined
Stonington Designs to support their rapidly expanding business.
session moderators
KAREN CARR
kristin ely
kristin ely
PUBLISHER;
CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference co-director and publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Karen helps connect top beach, coastal and nautical brands with their core audience of retailers. Her over 25 years of experience with award-winning business publications help
PUBLISHER;
CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference co-director and publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Karen helps connect top beach, coastal and nautical brands with their core audience of retailers. Her over 25 years of experience with award-winning business publications helps guide the direction of both magazines and she has won numerous journalism and design awards. Now in it’s fifth year of publication, Seaside Retailer continues to be a leading source for beach, coastal and nautical retailers across the continental U.S., Hawaii and the Caribbean.
kristin ely
kristin ely
kristin ely
EXECUTIVE EDITOR;
CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference director and executive editor of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Kristin has a pulse on the beach, coastal and nautical retail community. She brings more than 20 years of award-winning business-to-business media experience to her r
EXECUTIVE EDITOR;
CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference director and executive editor of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Kristin has a pulse on the beach, coastal and nautical retail community. She brings more than 20 years of award-winning business-to-business media experience to her roles, which include managing the editorial direction and staff for large B2B media company publications and a trade association along with planning leading industry conferences. She attends various trade shows throughout the year and reports on events, products and companies that influence seaside retailers.