Salesforce and Walmart CEOs to Have Keynote Conversation at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show

“We look forward to hearing insights from Marc Benioff and John Furner on AI, specifically on what this tectonic shift means for the retail industry.”

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

WASHINGTON – Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff and Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner will participate in a fireside chat at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, discussing the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impacts on business.

“From improving customer service to maximizing operations and more, artificial intelligence capabilities offer wide-ranging opportunities for retailers, their employees and the consumers they serve,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “We look forward to hearing insights from Marc Benioff and John Furner on AI, specifically on what this tectonic shift means for the retail industry.”

The keynote session on Jan. 14 will feature a conversation between Benioff and Furner that will explore the current and future opportunities in AI, and why businesses are investing in the technology now.

Benioff is a pioneer of cloud computing and co-founded Salesforce in 1999. It is now the top customer relationship management (CRM) software globally, the number one AI CRM and the third largest enterprise software company in the world. Salesforce brings together CRM, data, AI and trust together to enable companies across every industry to deliver exceptional customer experiences and become more productive and efficient.

At Walmart, Furner leads more than 1.5 million associates and is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of Walmart’s stores as well as its website, app and supply chain. He also serves as chairman of the NRF Board of Directors.

In addition to Furner and Benioff, speakers at NRF 2024 include Shopify President Harley Finkelstein, Tractor Supply Company President and CEO Hal Lawton, basketball legend and entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy, Saks CEO Marc Metrick, DICK’S Sporting Goods Executive Chairman Edward W. Stack, FedEx Corporation President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, and others.

The annual convention will be held in New York City Jan. 14-16 and is expected to bring together more than 6,200 brands and approximately 40,000 attendees from nearly 100 countries.

Complimentary registration is available to editorial members of the news media. For more information, visit the NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show press registration page.

About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com